Team Letter: DE&I

“What is not justified, now or ever again, is silence or indifference.”

In an open letter to team members, DOC President & CEO John T. Thomas details the company’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, support for Black Lives Matter, and efforts to combat racism and create and more equitable society for all.

June 29, 2020

RE:      A Message from John Thomas to All Employees

Dear DOC Team,

The events of the last month have laid bare many of our shortcomings as a society. The pain, heartbreak, frustration, anger, and outrage that we are feeling, and our communities’ outpouring of emotions, are justified. What is not justified, now or ever again, is silence or indifference. There is simply no other conclusion one can reach. We are all created equal, but centuries of experience demonstrate otherwise. Inequities continue to exist. Discrimination continues to exist. Racism continues to exist.

As a company, we have a voice and a responsibility to drive meaningful change. Stating unequivocally that Black Lives Matter. All lives can’t matter until Black lives also matter. Racism will not be tolerated in our offices or across our portfolio. Ultimately, though, we will be judged on our actions, not our words. Earlier this year, DOC announced the creation of a formal Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council. This Council will be critical in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating opportunities for underrepresented populations, and providing intentional professional development.

We will soon publish our inaugural ESG report, and social responsibility is a critical component of our company’s efforts and goals of continuous improvement. Now, more than ever, aggressive goals are imperative to advancing initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In close, dismantling hundreds of years of systemic inequities will only happen if we all stand together in this fight, and commit to listening, learning, and, most importantly, acting. Together, we can help build a better DOC, a better community, and a better world with equity and humanity for all.

John T. Thomas
President & CEO