We the Board Members of Baltimore’s first fully inclusive club established in 1962 as a gathering place for members regardless of race, gender, religion and creed, now stand united against the persistent attitudes and practices that have once again been exposed in this dark hour of our national life and which make clear the long hard work still before us.

In recent days, we have shared the anguish of the members of our community over the excruciating, senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect.

This latest tragedy, felt so viscerally by the black community in every place, has reopened wounds still not healed in our own city just five years since another black man – Freddie Gray – died also in police custody and for no other reason than being suspected of a petty crime.

As Members of the Center Club we pledge to continue to ensure a place where diverse experiences and ideas can be shared; where candid discussion is conducted and mutual respect and greater understanding are demonstrated; where all are asked to accept their responsibility for changing hearts and minds and devising solutions to the painful realities that continue to sow racial division and turmoil in our city, across our state and throughout our nation.

We stand with the many in our city, across our nation and world who now march in peaceful demonstration as we recommit our individual and collective efforts to ending the scourge of systemic racism wherever and in whatever form it can still be discerned.