Black enterprise leaders urge firms to make a stand on voting rights
Dozens of top black executives in American companies are calling on their white counterparts to speak out against efforts to restrict black voters’ access to elections amid controversy over new electoral laws in Georgia.
A letter, organized by Ken Chenault, former executive director of American Express, and Ken Frazier, outgoing CEO of Merck, signed by 72 black executives, urges companies to show their rhetorical support for equal access to ballot papers underpinned with their public platforms and their lobbying power.
The unprecedented campaign positions voting rights as the next battleground on which business is expected to take a stand. There is also a potential conflict with the Republican Party, which is pushing dozens of new electoral laws that critics claim will disproportionately deter black voters.
“The commitment to our democracy is too high to remain on the sidelines. Corporate America must support our nation’s fundamental democratic principles and exercise their collective influence to ensure fairness and justice for all, ”argued the letter writers.
What we’ve heard from companies are general statements about their support for voting rights and against voter suppression. But now we ask [them to] Put these words into action
Almost a year after the George Floyd killing sparked a wave of pledges from US executives to do more to address racial injustices, their commitment is now being questioned. Activists like the Black Voters Matter campaign accused Georgia-based companies like Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and UPS of doing too little to oppose new voting restrictions in that state.
“Georgia is at the forefront of a movement across the country that is restricting access to voting,” Frazier told CNBC on Wednesday.
The courts have dismissed numerous Republican allegations that the 2020 elections were fraudulent, he said. “We say that, from state to state, unless there is solid and compelling evidence of electoral fraud, any action taken to limit the ability of those who are eligible to vote should be rejected,” he said.
Chenault told CNBC, “What we’ve heard from companies are general statements about their support for voting rights and against voter suppression. But now we ask [them to] put these words into action. “
Among the executives who signed the letter were Mellody Hobson, the new Starbucks chair; her colleague John Rogers, CEO of Ariel Investments; and Robert F. Smith, founder of Vista Equity Partners.
Delta, one of the Atlanta-based companies that has been targeted by activists in recent weeks, made a stronger statement Wednesday that the new Georgian legislation was “unacceptable” and would make it difficult for black voters in particular to vote.
“The entire rationale for this bill was based on a lie: There was widespread electoral fraud in Georgia in the 2020 elections. That is simply not true. Unfortunately, states across the country are using this excuse trying to pass similar laws to restrict voting rights, ”said Ed Bastian, Delta General Manager.
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Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, pushed back, pointing out the risks companies face in speaking out on an issue that several executives consider inherently political.
“Today’s statement by Delta CEO Ed Bastian is in stark contrast to our discussions with the company, ignores the content of the new law and unfortunately continues to spread the same false attacks repeated by partisan activists,” said Kemp.
Several other companies have made expressions of support for the authors of Wednesday’s letter. Microsoft President Brad Smith said it was “imperative that the business community stand together” to oppose “harmful” legislation in Georgia and elsewhere.
However, advisors said that many leaders are wary of getting drawn into a political struggle.
“What I hear from my clients is that it is a bridge too far,” said Richard Edelman, managing director of the PR consultancy of the same name. “CEOs are very cautious at the moment. You don’t want to get into politics. They believe this is a red flag issue for Republicans and they believe it is outside of their jurisdiction. “
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a professor at the Yale School of Management, said companies were held back by their fear of reprisals, including boycotts from the right. But he argued that they need to take a bolder stance: “You are being seriously misguided by cautious legal and public relations advisors.”
