There are no perfect words to express our emotions this week. Amid a pandemic and economic crisis that are disproportionately impacting communities of color and Heartland communities, we have also witnessed unacceptable, tragic violence against Black Americans. We support our fellow citizens who are using their voices to speak out for change.

Our country must do better. As an organization, our mission is to drive inclusive economic growth and reduce health disparities in the Heartland region. Creating more opportunity for traditionally underserved populations is at the heart of our work. We believe strongly that every single person, regardless of their race or hometown, deserves access to economic opportunity, labor force training and education, and health care resources. We have a lot of work to do to get there.

We’re committed to making a difference in the best way we know how: data-driven research, action-oriented discussion, and impactful policy recommendations. The research work we already have underway regarding generating more equal opportunity in the Heartland has taken on even greater significance this week. We look forward to sharing that with you soon, and to continued collaboration with diverse community partners across the country to find actionable solutions that can bring about the changes we must make.