Our Commitment to Social Justice

Today we learned the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, closing this first legal chapter on the horrific events that claimed the life of George Floyd nearly one year ago.

While injustices sadly occur throughout the world, this one hits close to home, as it’s near our company headquarters in Minneapolis and in the community so many of us call home. Last year, I signed a pledge with 27 other Minnesota CEOs to help build the types of communities we want in Minneapolis and beyond. I am now even more committed to this pledge, which includes this statement:

“The repeated occurrence of racially-charged events of this nature are contrary to the close-knit employment and residential communities we desire to have…. We are committed to investing in substantive change in our organizations and the communities we serve to address racial inequities and social justice.”

Over the last year, we have made advancements in the area of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) to make C.H. Robinson’s culture more inclusive so that all of our people can be their authentic selves. Last spring, we spent time together talking about Mr. Floyd’s murder and listening to each other. I found so much value in having those honest conversations, and I don’t want them to stop. I encourage us to continue meaningful conversations with our colleagues, teams, and managers. We must get comfortable with being uncomfortable. We are going to need it to combat injustice when and where we see it. I encourage you to use your voice to support change and action both inside C.H. Robinson and in your communities.

With so much out of our control, I find some solace in our collective ability to create a place of kindness, equity, and understanding here at C.H. Robinson, where we devote so much of our time and energy to the pursuit of excellence.

Thank you for your support in making C.H. Robinson diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all.

Sincerely,

Bob Biesterfeld