DAMI Statement: Black Lives Matter

The Diverse Asset Managers Initiative was founded with the sole purpose of increasing the field-wide representation of minority asset managers, as well as the absolute number of, and assets under management by, diverse-owned asset management firms. 

Every day we see the ways in which systemic racism is inherently tied to American capital, the field of asset management, and the lives of people of color.

The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black individuals are egregious acts whenever they occur, but it is especially horrifying to witness increased racism during a time when COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting communities of color. Our solidarity is with the families of the victims and those that are protesting in their honor.

We are living in an unprecedented moment in history and we cannot let it pass by without acknowledging that Black communities around the country cannot bear the burden of dismantling systemic racism alone. We ask those across the field of asset management and beyond to express solidarity with the Black community and to commit to actively supporting their Black colleagues, clients, and friends during this time. 

Racism is not always overt, and we must fight it where we see it. We will continue to do the work of pushing organizations, firms, foundations and endowments to report on their efforts to increase diverse representation over their assets under management through measurable number-driven metrics.

We stand for racial justice at this moment as in all moments, and we unequivocally acknowledge that Black Lives Matter.