We are saddened and horrified by the news this Saturday of a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, where a white supremacist with an assault weapon murdered ten people at a grocery store, specifically targeting a Black and immigrant neighborhood. Our thoughts go to the victims, their families, residents of Buffalo, and our partner, the International Institute of Buffalo.
The killer’s ideology of “replacement theory” threatens Black communities as well as immigrants, Jews, and all Americans regardless of ethnicity or religion who believe that diversity is beneficial and adds to the enduring strength of our country.
Our job at Upwardly Global does not stop with the inclusion of newcomers into our workforce. We actively foster belonging that builds a stronger country and stand against racism, anti-semitism, anti-Asian violence, and all forms of hatred, including those espoused by the killer’s reference to “replacement theory.”
We also recognize the role social media and hate speech play in fostering these beliefs, which is why Upwardly Global will continue to build our community of individuals who believe that inclusion, not exclusion, is the way forward.
Find ways to help the Buffalo community following the shooting here.
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Upwardly Global is a national nonprofit whose mission is to eliminate employment barriers for immigrant and refugee professionals and advance the inclusion of their skills into the U.S. economy.