Millikens Journey to the Legacy Museum
Milliken's Journey to the Legacy Museum
作者 : Ricaye Harris
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Last week, Milliken senior leadership, along with members of our Affinity Network steering committee and key DEI partners, embarked on a transformative journey. We traveled together to the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. This experience, part of the Equal Justice Initiative founded by Bryan Stevenson, was a significant step in our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
The Legacy Museum tells a compelling story with a sobering theme—from the kidnapping and selling of Africans through the transatlantic and domestic slave trades to the mass incarceration, capital punishment, and systemic racial issues we still face today. It was a profoundly emotional experience that brought up feelings of sadness, anger, disappointment, and fatigue for everyone in our group. But even still, there was an overwhelming sense of hope. Hope, because the company we work for and its leadership supported us throughout this journey.
As we toured the museum, we were reminded of the struggles our predecessors faced and the heroes who championed the cause of justice before us. These stories of resilience and courage remind us why we do the work of DEI, and the strength we draw from them fuels our determination to continue.
The diverse group that made up our contingency was intentional. Representation across functions, businesses, and backgrounds was crucial to our trip’s success. The experience was further enriched by the presence of our CEO, Halsey Cook. He committed to the journey fully—riding down on the bus with us and fully participating every step of the way—and his engagement spoke volumes about Milliken’s dedication to DEI.
Sharing our reflections after the trip, we found common threads of empathy and understanding running through our personal experiences. Tears were shed and deep connections were made as we processed what we'd seen and felt.
Together we were building a stronger Milliken community, one rooted in empathy and mutual respect, which will ultimately make us a better company.
This isn’t just a one-off trip. Commitments were made to support civic engagement in a big way. Everyone agreed that continuous learning and education are crucial elements in our fight for equality.
We experienced something life-changing together. I would love for you to experience it, too. Go to The Legacy Museum, or the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C., or the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. … or any place dedicated to this important work.
Look in your own communities for these stories. We all have them, and that’s one sobering fact that struck home at The Legacy Museum. Go to your library. Talk to your elders. Explore your local history.
I don’t know what you’ll be called to do next. But I bet you won’t be able to confront the truths about our nation’s history without being moved to do something more in your own communities.
At Milliken, our experience has sparked an awakening that will lead to action.
Milliken senior leadership, our entire DEI team, and I are committed to continuing this journey. We look forward to more conversations, more trips, and more strides towards diversity, equity, and inclusion. We started this journey strong. Let's keep it going...together.