As you know, today is MLK Jr. Day, a national holiday in the U.S. I’m proud that besides observing this important day as a company holiday, we at Western Union also observe and promote it as a national day of service—often referred to as “a day on, and not a day off.”
We believe that the core values Western Union strives to uphold—Purpose Driven, Globally Minded, Trustworthy and Respectful—are a true reflection of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His fight against racial injustice and the message of equality and peace he carried continue to inspire us, and we are encouraging our employees, Agents and customers in the U.S. and beyond to use this day to listen, learn, reflect and engage in activities that support their local communities.
Among the activities we are encouraging our employees, Agents and customers to engage with and support are:
- Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado (Bridging the Gap Program)– supported by the Western Union Foundation, helping families hit hard by COVID-19 through financial, social, and emotional resources
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense and Educational Fund seeking structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans
- Race Forward catalyzes racial justice movement building and advancing racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture
- Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in support of expanding the effective participation of Black communities in the political and public policy arenas
