Dear ULI Washington Members and Friends,

We share the anger, frustration and anguish we see displayed in the streets of cities and towns in every state across the country in recent days. The senseless killing of George Floyd at the hands of the police – and Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many more – are tragic and sadly familiar reminders that systemic racism is deeply entrenched in American society and threatens the very lives of black and brown people every day. We cannot be silent in the face of such injustice and must state unequivocally that Black Lives Matter.

The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

We should also not let the lawless looting of a few overshadow the righteous and peaceful protests of thousands across the globe. We must heed their call to action:  for justice and the eradication, once and for all, of institutional racism that has allowed racial inequality to persist for generations. The pandemic and ensuing economic crisis have already exposed the deeply rooted inequality embedded in the very foundation of our society. Communities of color have disproportionately suffered from the health impacts of Covid-19 as well as its economic fallout.

As real estate and land use industry professionals, it is time to reflect on our industry’s role in perpetuating these disparities. We must acknowledge the harmful legacy of past and current development policies and practices that segregate black and brown communities and restrict access to better schools, safer streets, even cleaner air. As an industry, we have a role to play in bridging the racial divides in this country. We can and must do better.

ULI Washington remains firmly committed to advancing the cause of equitable development and we ask for your support. While our efforts to advance diversity and inclusion within the industry are necessary, we must do more to address the long-standing social and economic inequalities in our city, region and industry. It is time for honest and, at times, uncomfortable conversations about what more our industry can do to ensure that all Americans can live in the thriving, resilient, and equitable communities that ULI’s mission espouses.

Most importantly, we all need to listen more and be open to hearing different perspectives. We encourage you to share yours with us at [email protected]. ULI Washington has a unique ability to convene industry leaders to share ideas and develop strategies to guide us through times of uncertainty and change. We look forward to coming together, whether in-person or virtually, to have these conversations, learn from each other, and be part of the solutions that deliver meaningful change.

Sincerely,