Uber announces expanded initiatives to ‘stand with the Black community’

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The ride share giant will waive delivery fees from black-owned businesses.

Uber announced several initiatives Thursday to “stand with the Black community” and demonstrate the company’s commitment to battling racial injustice.

“We know there is no easy solution to the problems we have faced for centuries,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. “We also know that we need to devote our time, energy and resources toward making a difference. That’s why we’re making a number of commitments that we will uphold not just this week, but for years to come.”

On Sunday, the ride-share giant made a $1 million donation to the Equal Justice Initiative and Center for Policing Equity, two organizations devoted to equality for minorities.

Uber also vowed to support black-owned restaurants with no delivery fees for the remainder of the year and pledged to offer discounted rides to black-owned small businesses in the coming weeks.

The San Francisco-based company will tie the pay of senior executives to the progress made on the company’s diversity goals and publish the results so “the public can hold us accountable.”

Additionally, Uber will expand skills training and education opportunities for drivers and delivery workers.

“We know this isn’t enough,” Khosrowshahi said. “It won’t be enough until we see true racial justice. But we plan to work day in and day out to improve, learn, and grow as a company.”

Uber’s expanded commitment comes as protests and riots take place across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man who was killed last week when a police officer knelt on his neck while in custody.

In a statement, Khosrowshahi recognized the death of Floyd and the impacts of institutional racism.

“I wish that the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others weren’t so violently cut short,” he said. “I wish that institutional racism, and the police violence it gives rise to, didn’t cause their deaths. I wish that all members of our Black community felt safe enough to move around their cities without fear. I wish that I didn’t have to try to find the words to explain all of this to my two young sons.”

Jason Delgado

Jason Delgado covers news out of the Florida State Capitol. After a go with the U.S. Army, the Orlando-native attended the University of Central Florida and earned a degree in American Policy and National Security. His past bylines include WMFE-NPR and POLITICO Florida. He'd love to hear from you. You can reach Jason by email ([email protected]) or on Twitter at @byJasonDelgado.


4 comments

  • never again Uber

    June 4, 2020 at 9:15 pm

    I will never use Uber again and neither will any of my friends. pathetic

  • TIM

    June 5, 2020 at 10:27 am

    Uber:

    I don’t think all white people are racist. And reverse discrimination isn’t the answer. I’ve deleted my account and removed app.
    Good day.

  • Eric Castel

    June 8, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    This was a horrible move for uber. Charging fees based off skin color???

  • Jackoe

    June 8, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    What a joke. So much for equality.

Comments are closed.


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