Samara Group grieves over the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, David McAtee, Tony McDade, James Scurlock, and Ahmaud Arbery–who are among the Black people that have been killed in recent months and whose families continue to suffer unjustly while murderers walk with impunity. This heartbreaking loss grows larger every day due to continued police brutality, racial violence, and white supremacist actions. While we look outward at the pain, trauma, and injustice faced by Black communities in the United States we also look inward to recognize our actions that uphold white supremacy and the oppressive systems of power in this country. 

As an independently owned business with a small team of White-identifying women, we expand our commitment to action: to create more meaningful change, to reduce our implicit bias, to empower marginalized communities, and to be visible and intentional in our support for justice and equity for Black and Brown people in our work. 

We want to take this time–while folks across all spectrums of diversity are asking themselves “what can I do?”–to share our initial steps to combat racism and police brutality. 

We will redouble our efforts to: 

• Prioritize subcontracting with and purchasing from Black-owned businesses

• Support staff development and training in equity, diversity & inclusion that centers anti-racism training (we thank local educators for making an impact in our own learning: DRC Learning Solutions and Center for Diversity and the Environment) 

• Continue to center inclusive equitable community engagement in our actions and planning

Samara Group has committed to donating on an on-going basis to organizations that support transforming the environmental movement through empowering BIPOC leaders. We are currently donating to the following organizations: 

• Center for Diversity and the Environment

• The Blueprint Foundation

We recognize that the work to dismantle white supremacy in our culture is a marathon that starts with personal growth and requires structural change. We are in this for the long-haul and invite those in our network to learn with us, listen to those most affected, ask questions, hold us accountable, and commit to change. Always for Black Lives Matter. 

In Solidarity, 

Jalene Littlejohn, Director/Founder

Leslie Bliss-Ketchum, Director/Founder

Contact: info@samarapdx.com