Donald Tomaskovic-Devey, 2018 PEP Fellow, is one of three researchers that have written an article analyzing racial justice statements from the 500 largest U.S. companies

Following the 2020 murder of George Floyd and nationwide Black Lives Matter protests, most of the 500 largest U.S. companies remained largely silent or offered only symbolic gestures in response to racial injustice, according to a new analysis by a team of researchers, including Donald Tomaskovic-Devey.

"We found that most firms stayed silent, while others made only weak symbolic responses," they write. "Just 1 in 5 made strong commitments, pledging resources and structural changes to their business practices, such as revamping hiring policies or funding racial justice organizations."

For that 20%, however, the researchers note, "commitments could be substantial."

The Conversation