The employee owners of Barr Engineering Co. are heartbroken and outraged by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. We stand with our neighbors, coworkers, family members, clients, and friends in demanding justice. It’s not enough to hope for change; we must take action to end systemic racism and foster inclusive, diverse communities and workplaces.
As we begin to pick up the pieces of our shattered neighborhoods—not just in the Twin Cities but across the United States, Canada, and beyond—we also need to rebuild our understanding of what it means to be part of a just, equitable, and peaceful society. In light of this:
• In memory of George Floyd and to help advance positive change, Barr has made a contribution to the WeLoveLakeStreet.com organization that is helping to rebuild the businesses and neighborhoods in south Minneapolis that were among the hardest hit by recent unrest. This organization also plans to provide financial support to George Floyd’s family.
• Barr will also be working with organizations we’ve supported for many years, Habitat for Humanity and The Works Museum, a STEM-focused organization, to target additional contributions where they can be best used to provide long-term opportunities for disadvantaged families in our communities.
During this extremely difficult time, we’re also encouraging our employees to deepen their community involvement—to contribute their time, talent, and voices to make progress toward a more inclusive world.
Please join us in working to convert our grief into actions that make a difference. For ideas about ways to support our communities, see a list on the Star-Tribune’s website.