The President's Corner

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

SCLC: From the STREETS to the SUITES…

By Dr. Charles Steele Jr., SCLC National President & CEO

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) has been focused on the evolution of the civil rights movement since 1957. Civil rights is a complexed movement in that it is everchanging in its approach to reaching the masses and helping people all over the world. SCLC has always understood that we can’t fix the world without addressing the issues in America. Although we attempt to do as much as we can, we are only as strong as our foundation. Therefore, SCLC is continuing to do the maintenance necessary to ensure that we are strong and fit for future generations.

Contrary to what many might think, organizations like SCLC are imperative to our freedom today, tomorrow and forever. We want to be a glimmer of hope for all God’s children all over the world and it is imperative that we understand the foundation from which we build must remain strong. SCLC has to stay in the streets! It is the foot soldiers of SCLC that keep us visible in the streets all across this country. We must raise up a new generation of foot soldiers. These are the courageous people who are ensuring that we are getting people registered to vote, being a source of information for their community, training the community on the Kingian Non-violent Reconciliation and helping to ensure the SCLC is a resource and help to all around the country. This is our foundation. Now, how do we go from the street to the suites? I’m glad you asked. We have to take that same enthusiasm to ensure equality and justice for all in the workplace as well. The “From the Streets to the Suites” initiative targets corporations. This initiative will look to help those who have been treated unfairly at their place of employment. We will focus on organizations that have been accused of racism and discrimination, especially companies that have been lauded as leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion. It is written down in history the accomplishments of SCLC and the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. Lead by our co-founder Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr., SCLC was able to help bring SCLC National Magazine/ Fall 2021 Issue

about the 1965 Civil Rights Act. Of course, we have all witnessed most recently the Black Lives Matters’ demonstrations that focused much of its efforts on ending injustices in the streets as people all over the country protested police violence against people of color. This should never change and is always needed. Now, SCLC is taking from the streets to the suites. Not only must we fight injustices in the streets, but we must also fight injustices in the suites. The SCLC’s “From the Streets to the Suites,” campaign is aimed at corporations because they hold the power to close many of the gaps between the races in America, including gaps in income, education, housing, healthcare and public safety. Justice in the streets is just as important as justice in the suite. Civil rights is ever-changing and we will continue to change with it every step of the way. The SCLC has helped many employees and executives receive justice in the suites of corporate America. Our most recent move for justice happens to be at the suite of SherwinWilliams, one of the largest paint companies in the world. Sherwin-Williams has been noted and recognized for being committed to diversity. However, we must not assume that because a company has accolades that they are exempt from their commitment to a diverse workforce and equality in the workplace. In a 2020 Field Report of the Business Forward Foundation, Sherwin-Williams said, “We condemn the recent tragedies in the U.S. which illustrate the terrible consequences of racism, discrimination and injustice. We believe the most impactful actions we can take at this time are to continue building on our strong culture of conscious inclusion through our ongoing commitment to attract, develop and engage our diverse workforce.”

Ironically, the corporation’s reputation and track record have come under siege as it prepares to build its new corporate headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio and a research facility in a nearby community that will exceed the cost of $600 million. Officials of The Black Contractions Group have accused Sherwin-Williams of failing to fulfill promises to select a Black-owned firm as one of the lead companies participating in the massive projects, which is receiving more than $300 million in city, county, state and federal funding. Sherwin-Williams’ failure to include a Black-owned firm, in a city that is nearly 51 percent Black, has prompted community organizations to call on the company to name a Black-owned firm, including the Cleveland Clergy Association, which is chaired by Rev. Dr. E. T. Calviness. Dr. Calviness is also president of the SCLC’s Cleveland Chapter, and he has requested that the SCLC’s national office lend its support and influence to help achieve fairness.

SCLC believes fairness can be achieved surrounding this project, because Sherwin-Williams has been a major stakeholder in Cleveland for nearly 155 years. Sherwin-Williams knows that Cleveland cannot grow unless businesses owned by people of all colors are at the table and playing a key role in the development of the city. Justice and equality in the STREETS and the SUITES!