Published on June 1, 2020

We won’t be silent. We won’t be complicit. 

Black Lives Matter.

CSAA Insurance Group stands in solidarity with our Black employees and the Black community at large. We reject racism, injustice and the senseless violence that has resulted in the death of so many Black Americans, including most recently, George Floyd. 

We’re experiencing a lot right now. COVID-19 has killed more than 100,000 Americans and many more worldwide. Tragically, the disease is disproportionally impacting our most vulnerable Black, Latino and Native American communities. There are the recent killings of Black Americans, in circumstances that are unjust and abhorrent. These incidents continue to shine a light on the racial disparities in our communities. They are indications of the significant work that needs to be done in our country – and by work, I mean the work to achieve racial equity and justice.

I am deeply troubled by these events. It is difficult to see these tragedies and not feel personally impacted in ways large and small. While watching events unfold Saturday evening, the broadcast showed the police station burning in the city where I was born. It brought back memories of riots following the acquittal of the police officers who beat Rodney King. I could vividly remember where I was that night, watching TV with the same sense of helplessness and disbelief. And what comes to mind is that in all these years, we haven’t made enough progress. It’s simply not enough.    

CSAA Insurance Group is making a $10,000 donation to the Equal Justice Initiative to support its work for racial and economic justice, challenging mass incarceration and protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable in American society. We will match employee donations to this organization as well. Learn more about this organization at the following link: https://eji.org. 

Additionally, we want our employees to know the gravity of this moment in our history is not theirs to own alone. Their well-being matters to us, as well. To that end, we put together resources to support and empower them to take action in demonstrating our core belief of the power of inclusion: 

• In the near term, we will be offering virtual, facilitated conversations on the emotional impact of these eventsand ways to cope with stress and anxiety. 
• Later this year, as part of our 2020 Inclusion and Belonging strategy, we plan to host explicit conversations about race. 
• Our Wellness team is hosting Living Healthy live-stream group meditation and fitness classes to support mental and physical well-being. 
• We have encouraged employees to take advantage of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential emotional support.

In these challenging moments, particularly where we are physical distancing, connection is more important than ever. By facing the discomforts around race and racial inequity, we may be in a better position to make changes in our own lives and affect social change in the world around us. In alignment with our core beliefs, I and my leadership team at CSAA Insurance Group are committed to supporting and advancing equity in our organization and in our communities. We are all committed to make a positive difference.

Tom Troy

Chief Executive Officer at CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer