Dow ACTs

Dow ACTs to address racial inequality

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Dow stepped forward to demonstrate its care for our Black employees and its commitment to take action against racial inequality. On May 31, 2020, Dow CEO Jim Fitterling posted a blog on the company’s website called: You matter. Let’s ACT. It was a call to be allies. It was a call to act. He wrote: “There’s a lot of work to do here to overcome hundreds of years of systemic oppression, but I am committed to helping Team Dow find a way.”

To discover “that” way, Jim hosted a virtual conversation attended by more than 1,100 colleagues, including Dow’s entire executive leadership team. This town hall was sponsored by GAAN, and attended by Black employees and their allies.

The goal was to listen so that leadership could determine actions that would drive real and meaningful change inside and outside of Dow. The result was a holistic plan to address systemic racism and racial inequality, approved by our Board of Directors, called Dow ACTs. ACT is an acronym for three action areas: Advocacy … Community engagement … and our own Talent pipeline.

In total, Dow has committed more than $10 million over the next five years to address systemic racism and racial inequality.

Progress against Dow ACTs commitments

Advocacy

Launched U.S Social Justice Council
New $1MM partnership with Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Paid time-off for voting for U.S. employees
Joined the Board Diversity Action Alliance and the Civic Alliance
Dow Chief Human Resources and Inclusion Officer Karen S. Carter appointed to Michigan Governor’s Black Leadership Advisory Council

Community

Pledged $600,000 to the Dow Promise program
Established Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a U.S. paid holiday and an opportunity for a day of service
Partnered with the U.S. Chamber’s Coalition to Back Black Businesses

Talent

Committed $5MM to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through 2024
Completed first cohort of Dow’s Advocacy-in-Action Sponsorship Program to develop and advance Black talent
Hosted Diamond and BEST early career symposia
Developed and launched new Inclusive Leadership Training
Expanded new Student Mentor Academies for Black youth in Michigan and U.S Gulf Coast

Dow ACTs

Dow ACTs to address racial inequality

In total, Dow has committed more than $10 million over the next five years to address systemic racism and racial inequality.

Progress against Dow ACTs commitments

We took a visible stance, making clear our position on racial injustice and our intention to act.

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