Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday commemorating the end of slavery. However, on that day, injustice did not immediately end, nor did opportunity and equality immediately arrive. Slavery may have ended, but racism endured.

While pain is being felt across our country, including within our walls, we have struggled to find the right response to the magnitude of injustices we’ve all witnessed. So instead of speaking, we have been listening.

It’s important to state unequivocally that RGT stands for racial equality and equal opportunity, and rejects injustice caused by oppression. This is not a political statement, rather it’s simply a recognition of what is right. It’s also an expression of love and support for our colleagues, clients and community, underscoring all the change needed in our society.

Our leadership team at RGT has been in deep conversation with our black employees, first to offer care and support to them, while also seeking to understand these important issues from their point of view. Clearly, this is something we should have done long before now. These have been intensely personal and emotional conversations given how much we value our relationships. We appreciate their candor, and their willingness to share some of their more painful life experiences.

Their appreciation for RGT is humbling and something we are encouraged by. Their desire for RGT to do more is an important challenge for us to tackle. Their willingness to put themselves forth in this dialogue is significant and needs to be matched with our collective willingness to grow and engage in the fight for change.

Words are important, but they lose their value without action. We have spent the last few weeks evaluating how we can do more, developing a specific action plan and refining our existing philanthropic focus, with a commitment to invest both financial and volunteer resources to engage further. As a business, we move forward with a high conviction of the importance of making a deeper contribution for change.

Now, more than ever, we must work to lift others, empower them, love them, and seek true, lasting solutions to help elevate those who have been suffering far too long.

To our employees, our business can be anything you want it to be, and there are no barriers to what you can achieve. We know we have much to learn. Racial wounds won’t heal if we ignore them….and these recent images should be seared in our hearts and minds. Being uncomfortable, sad, and angry is an important catalyst to the process of change.

To our clients, these important efforts won’t distract us from our work. In contrast, they will make us better at our work as we build a deeper understanding and become more united as a community of professionals charged with serving you while we serve each other.

To our employees and clients who are black, it’s important that you hear us say very clearly that you are valued, and we stand with you. We share the outrage you feel….not just during the past few weeks, but over injustices you’ve witnessed and dealt with your entire lives. Progress has been painfully slow, with all too frequent and notable setbacks. Along with our nation, we hope that this moment in time is an inflection point leading to progress and healing.

At RGT, it’s important to recognize that along with our responsibility to help our clients achieve their financial goals through proper planning and investment returns, these times require a greater community responsibility, as well as a willingness to see things from a different perspective.

We encourage everyone to take this day of commemoration and seek to grow in knowledge, reflection, compassion and commitment to action.

To a united and better future –