Dropbox condemns the systemic racism and police brutality against Black Americans, and mourns the tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others. But we know words aren’t enough. Our CEO Drew Houston recently addressed the company about the actions he and the Dropbox community are taking to stand together against racial injustice. Here is an excerpt of his email:
Hi everyone,
The last few weeks have been incredibly tough, bringing untold devastation, pain, and anger across the US and especially in the Black community. The deaths of so many unarmed African Americans at the hands of the police have pushed people to their breaking point. These horrific crimes can't continue—we have to do better as a nation.
As a company, we have taken a public stand against racial injustice and police brutality. But what’s even more important is how we shift ingrained thoughts and behaviors to create a more just society, not only for all Dropboxers, but for the world around us. The DEI Team will be holding multiple Town Halls on Thursday to address these issues and provide a better understanding of the divide that exists in racial experiences across the US. The team will also suggest some actionable ways we can all be a part of the solution—whether it be in our immediate social circles, at work, or in our local communities. I’ll be attending, and strongly encourage you to join as well.
On a personal note, I’ve been spending much of the past week thinking about the brutal injustices playing out in front of us, and how I can personally contribute to the solution. I’ve decided to donate $500,000 to the Black Lives Matter Foundation because of its direct work to eliminate violence and systematic racism against Black people. And starting today, I’m making an additional pledge to match every donation made by a Dropboxer in June to the Black Lives Matter Foundation, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the National Urban League. This is in addition to the company matching program, so it means that your contribution will have triple the impact.
For those who can’t give right now, there is still much that can be done by getting involved with your local organizations. Even taking the time to hit pause, look inward, and reflect on your own thoughts and actions can be immensely impactful right now. To help you all find the time and space to do this, we’ll be holding a half day of reflection this Friday, June 5th. Please cancel your meetings after 12pm so that you have the afternoon to do whatever is most valuable to you — volunteering, reading, or taking a moment to process everything that’s happened over these past several weeks. We just ask that you make the best use of the time given your own thoughts and experiences.
Thank you all for the kindness, courage, and love you have shown each other these past weeks. I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built, and I promise to stand with you for what is right.
Drew
As a community, Dropbox stands for human rights and equality of opportunity. We’re proud to support human rights through the Dropbox Foundation, which provides funding for nonprofit organizations combatting abuses around the world. We encourage all Americans to engage with this moment, come together in support of equality, and let your voices be heard. To donate to the institutions Dropboxers are supporting at this time, visit the Black Lives Matter Global Network, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the National Urban League.
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