Category: News – Release

We Must End Systemic Racism; Companies Can Make a Real Difference

Open to All® is a campaign to transform America towards a shared vision that everyone should be welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion or disability.

The senseless and heartbreaking killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others—and the hate violence and ongoing injustice experienced by the Black community shows how far we still are from that ideal.

We know that building a stronger country means everyone should feel safe, respected and accepted as they live, work, go grocery shopping, go for a run or a walk in the park, and when they interact with law enforcement.

Open to All® calls for an end to systemic racism and hate violence.

This moment requires Black voices to lead, and for the rest of us to truly listen and learn what real allyship requires. The time has long passed when silence is okay, when we watch from the safety of the sidelines—we must take action—not as a token towards inclusivity, but as a core and integral part of what it means to be a business in America. A business that looks towards a thriving and welcoming future where all are welcome. Where we are all valued. Where everyone can contribute. Where we are all safe. Where Black Lives Matter.

In the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” At a time of deep divisions, Open to All® is encouraging companies to come together to build a better America and challenge racial injustice across this country. A journey begins with a single step. Here are just a few steps that companies, large and small, can take to make a difference:

  • Donate to a Black-led organization doing the work to fight racial injustice nationally and in local communities.
  • Make a public statement in support of Black customers, employees, colleagues and the Black community from company leadership and share it on social media.
  • Create a space for internal dialogue and provide resources, information and support to employees.
  • Make a commitment and continue to invest in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts including: hiring, retention & advancement policies, and anti-racist and bias training.
  • Engage with and listen to Black-led organizations nationally and locally to combat racism.
  • Explore ways to lift up, partner, and support businesses and brands owned by Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color.
  • Lend a corporate or small business voice in support of policy changes at the local, state, and federal level that promote fairness and equity, and that prohibit all forms of discrimination.

We are proud to be a coalition of businesses who see fairness and inclusion as a core part of how they do business. Here are a few ways that Open to All® companies are making the commitment to end systemic racism and hate violence:

Airbnb

Ben & Jerry’s

Fossil

Gap Inc.

H&M

Levi Strauss & Co.

Lyft

Movado Group

Ralph Lauren

Sephora

Tapestry Inc.

Tiffany & Co.

Yelp

25 Leading Businesses Urge Action to Address Racial Disparities Exacerbated by the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

Leaders including fashion giants Gap Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and Open to All® call on corporations and businesses to combat racial disparities and fight anti-Asian racism

OAKLAND, CA, MAY 7, 2020—Twenty-five businesses from companies across the country have committed to addressing racial disparities by signing on to a letter from Open to All® urging the business community to examine and work to combat the disparities and discrimination that have caused the COVID-19 global crisis to disproportionately impact Black, Latinx/Hispanic, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The letter is in response to data that show COVID-19 is resulting in a sharp rise of anti-Asian racism and is killing far greater numbers of Black, Latinx/Hispanic people, as well as Pacific Islanders.

Led by Open to All®—the national nondiscrimination campaign that believes everyone should be welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion, or disability—the letter encourages all businesses and corporations who sign to work to combat racial disparities and denounce anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander racism in their communities.

“COVID-19 is not the ‘great equalizer,’ as some have called it,” said Open to All® Campaign Director Calla Rongerude. “Rather, it is a profound reminder of how inequalities continue to permeate all areas of life. While the pandemic’s impact has reached far and wide, communities of color have been hit with the greatest ferocity. There are many factors at play, but some of the most significant are inequities in employment, pay, and access to healthcare—areas in which the business community can make a real difference. While many of these companies are themselves reeling from the crisis, they recognize the need to come together, now more than ever, to address the racial inequities that have been laid bare by COVID-19, and we thank them for their leadership.”

The letter was signed by AEO Inc., which includes brands American Eagle and Aerie; Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream; Capri Holdings Limited, which includes brands Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, and Versace; Gap Inc., which includes brands Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap, Hill City, Intermix, and Old Navy; H&M; Lacoste; Levi Strauss & Co.; Movado Group, Inc.; Ralph Lauren; Steve Madden; and Tapestry, Inc., which includes brands Coach, kate spade new york, and Stuart Weitzman.

While businesses have different capacities to weather this storm and are facing difficult decisions in the coming months, these leaders are taking necessary action in both the immediate and long terms to protect their workers, customers, and communities. Open to All® is encouraging consumers to support businesses large and small that are doing the right thing like following best-practice safety protocols as well as those that are offering services like delivery or online ordering. In partnership with Yelp, consumers can search for Open to All® businesses on Yelp.com. This allows customers to find businesses that have pledged to be a safe and welcoming place to everyone.

Open to All® has also launched a new resource page to support employees, protect the health and wellbeing of customers and communities, sustain businesses large and small, and combat racial disparities and anti-Asian and Pacific Islander racism. Click here for the Open to All® COVID-19 Resource page.

“No matter what we look like, where we live, or our socioeconomic status, this global pandemic reminds us that at our core we’re all just human. This virus has shown us that we are dependent on one another, and whether we’re Black or White, Latinx or Asian, working behind the scenes or on the front lines, it’s time to come together in support of each other,” said Rongerude.

Click here to read the sign-on letter.

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About Open to All®

Open to All® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the thousands of business members, Open to All® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBT equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All® members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®.

Businesses that wish to join Open to All® can learn more and sign the pledge at http://www.opentoall.com/business-members/#business-pledge.

Open to All® Releases Inaugural Holiday Gift Guide to Harness Consumer Purchase Power In Support of Inclusive Businesses This Holiday Season

Yelp Activates New Search Filter Allowing Consumers to Easily Find ‘Open to All’ Businesses

DES MOINES, IOWA, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 — As the 2019 holiday season approaches, Open to All® today released its first-ever Open to All® Holiday Gift Guide to encourage consumers to use their purchase power this holiday season to support inclusive businesses. Open to All® is the nation’s largest campaign galvanizing leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector in support of shared American values of fairness and equality. The Holiday Gift Guide features products from some of the most iconic brands at every price point from an array of inclusive retailers, celebrating the core principle that any business that is open to the public should make every person feel safe and welcome—regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion or disability.  

“Never before have so many businesses and nonprofits joined together in a single, unified campaign that sends a message that everyone is welcome, valued and respected,” said Calla Rongerude, Campaign Director of Open to All®. “With the Open to All® Holiday Gift Guide, we want to encourage people to give the gift of inclusion and send the message that when a business is open to the public, it should be Open to All®. At a time of deep divisions, Open to All® nonprofits and businesses are joining together from all walks of life and working to build a thriving and inclusive nation where all are welcome. When we value our employees and care for our customers and each other, we all thrive.” 

Among the Holiday Gift Guide’s featured businesses is leading omni-retailer Sephora, which officially announced today it has joined the Open to All® campaign, alongside thousands of retailers and brands that have already taken the Open to All® business pledge. As Open to All’s newest business member, Sephora joins a growing and vocal network of major brands uniting under Open to All’s banner—many of which are included in the Holiday Gift Guide—including Yelp, Gap Inc., Old Navy, Coach, kate spade new york, Chronicle Books, Fossil, Lacoste, Michaels Craft Stores, Steve Madden, H&M, and thousands of small businesses. 

Building on Open to All’s ongoing work with Yelp, starting today, people can filter by “Open to All”—an attribute which allows businesses to distinguish themselves as a safe and welcoming place to everyone—when searching for restaurants, shops, bakeries, tailors, and much more. Yelp users will also be able to identify participating businesses by the newly designed “Open to All” icon displayed on their Yelp page. These new features make it easier than ever for consumers to support inclusive businesses.  

“At Yelp, we believe everyone should be treated with dignity and respect,” said Miriam Warren, Vice President of Engagement, Diversity and Belonging at Yelp. “It’s our hope that by updating the platform to make it easier to find inclusive businesses, users will support establishments that are safe and welcoming spaces for all, and more business owners will activate the attribute. Yelp exists to connect consumers with great local businesses, and we’re doing our part to make it easier for all of our consumers to patronize stores, salons, and more, without fear of discrimination.” 

Over 300,000 businesses are listed as “Open to All” on Yelp. Businesses that want to let potential customers know that they are inclusive can activate the attribute on their Yelp page by logging into their Yelp for Business Owners app and updating their information. 

Consumers Increasingly Demonstrating their Values through Purchasing 

The Open to All® Holiday Gift Guide comes at a time when consumers are demonstrating a strong preference for supporting welcoming businesses.  

Research shows that people shop from places that share their values. One report found that 72% of consumers see a company’s values as a deal breaker or deciding factor when considering which brand to buy. Moreover, 69% want brands to be more involved in societal issues and express their values. 

Another study found that a third of consumers want to buy from brands that are making a positive social or environmental impact. Supporting businesses with a purpose is especially meaningful for young people. According to one survey, nearly two-thirds of millennials and Gen Z favor brands that have a point of view and stand for something. 

“I started RAYGUN because I wanted to add something to the community I grew up in,” said Mike Draper, founder and owner of RAYGUN, which sells t-shirts, stickers, notebooks, postcards in stores across the Midwest. “I can think of nothing better than for this to be a space where everyone is welcome. Where they may like the product, or not, but where they are free to come in, to shop, and to be themselves.” 

The Holiday Gift Guide can be accessed on Open to All’s website here: www.opentoall.com/2019giftguide. For more information about the Holiday Guide, or to speak with an Open to All® representative, please contact calla@opentoall.com.  

Businesses that wish to join Open to All® can learn more and sign the pledge at http://www.opentoall.com/business-members/#business-pledge. 

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About Open to All®  

Open to All® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the thousands of business members, Open to All® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBT equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All® members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®. 

Tapestry and its brands – Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman – bring the fashion industry together to sign Open to All® pledge

Tapestry, the CFDA and fashion peers support inclusivity on the eve of New York Fashion Week (NYFW)

(New York, NY), SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 – Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE: TPR), a leading New York-based house of modern luxury accessories and lifestyle brands, today announced it is signing the Open to All® pledge, in support of its ethos that when “a business opens its doors to the public, it should be open to all.” Tapestry was joined by over 50 fashion houses and brands, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion and the Open to All® campaign, to make a powerful statement about the industry’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and protecting equality.

This collective effort was inspired by Tapestry’s work with the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion. Founding Open to All® signatories and fellow CEO Action members Levi Strauss & Co. and Gap Inc. (Old Navy), joined Tapestry as they signed the Open to All® pledge alongside ascena retail group (Ann Taylor, Catherines, Justice, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Lou and Grey), Ban.do, Capri Holdings (Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Versace), Diane von Furstenberg, Fossil Group (Fossil, Michele, Misfit, Relic, Skagen, Watch Station, Zodiac), H&M Group (H&M, COS, & other Stories), Hudsons Bay Company (Saks Fifth Avenue), Incipio, Inditex (Zara), Keds, Kering, Lifeguard Press, Lenox, Movado, PVH Corp. (Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger), Rag & Bone, Ralph Lauren (Club Monaco), Richemont (Cartier, Chloé, dunhill, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels), Steve Madden, Tiffany & Co. and The Collected Group (Current Elliott, Equipment, Joie).

Jide Zeitlin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tapestry, Inc. said, “When we founded Tapestry almost two years ago, we asked employees around the world what they wanted our company to stand for. Overwhelmingly, they told us ‘inclusivity,’ to represent the diversity of our employees, our customers and the communities in which we operate. This is an important moment for us to reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity. By joining the CFDA, the Open to All® campaign, and other fashion houses to collectively support and sign the Open to All® pledge, we are sending a message that we will not tolerate discrimination. Together, we are taking a stand for the rights of our customers, our employees and our partners.”

Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA said, “The CFDA supports Open to All® and thanks Tapestry for its effort in bringing our industry together behind diversity, inclusion, and equality.”

Ineke Mushovic, Executive Director of Open to All® said, “In the two years since Open to All’s inception, we have had over 5,000 companies sign the pledge. We have been inspired and humbled by Tapestry’s leadership and vision. Tapestry has worked beyond the walls of their stores to bring the fashion industry together to join the Open to All® campaign in building a thriving, inclusive, competitive America where customers and employees are valued, respected and welcomed regardless of who they are. This exemplifies the spirit of Open to All® and creates true transformation—especially for everyone out there who is struggling and wants to know where they will be safe, welcomed and accepted.”

On Earth Day 2019, Tapestry launched bold 2025 corporate responsibility goals, including a commitment to build diversity in North America Tapestry and brand leadership teams.  This will be achieved by increasing the number of North America-based ethnic minority leaders to better reflect the company’s general corporate population, and to reduce gender and ethnic differences in the Employee Inclusion Index scores from the Company’s Employee Engagement Survey.

In July 2019, Tapestry joined over 200 companies in signing the Amicus brief – a “friend of the court” brief – to support the protection of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination under existing federal civil rights laws. Tapestry achieved a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year in 2019, earning the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. Additionally, Tapestry was listed on the Forbes 2019 “Best Employers for Diversity” list for the second consecutive year. In 2017, Tapestry signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge to reaffirm the company’s commitment towards advancing inclusion and diversity in the workplace. Other highlights include the establishment of an Inclusion Council to ensure that people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds are included in business decisions, inclusion training for all Tapestry employees globally, as well as gender neutral uniform guidelines for store employees.

To engage employees on the importance of dialogue and conversation, Tapestry hosts events celebrating Pride, International Women’s Day and Black History Month, and regularly hosts a discussion series called “Unscripted,” where diverse internal and external leaders share their stories about optimism, innovation and inclusivity. Our brands have shown support for inclusivity with Coach’s “Words Matter” campaign featuring Michael B. Jordan, kate spade new york empowers women to be the heroines of their own stories through social impact programs, the kate spade foundation and on purpose, a social enterprise initiative that has created over 250 full-time jobs, 93 percent of which are held by women in the Abahizi factory in Masoro, Rwanda, and Stuart Weitzman is proud of its inclusive sizing, with sizes ranging from four to 12 in widths of narrow, medium and wide. Learn more at www.tapestry.com/responsibility.


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About Open to All®

Open to All® is the nationwide public engagement campaign to build awareness and understanding about the importance of protecting people from discrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®. The Open to All® coalition consists of more than 5,000 businesses and 200 civil rights and racial justice organizations; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations and community centers; health advocates, disability advocates and faith organizations; and other groups working to protect and strengthen our nation’s nondiscrimination protections and defend the principle that when a business opens its doors to the public, it should be open to all and not discriminate. Visit www.OpenToAll.com/supporters for a full list of supporters.

About CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion

The CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. This commitment is driven by a realization that addressing diversity and inclusion is not a competitive issue, but a societal issue. Recognizing that change starts at the executive level, more than 700 CEOs of the world’s leading companies and business organizations, are leveraging their individual and collective voices to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. And because there is a collective opportunity for both CEOs and the workforce to address these challenges, we have created the I Act On pledge for any individual to take.

About Tapestry, Inc.

Tapestry, Inc. is a New York-based house of modern luxury lifestyle brands. The Company’s portfolio includes Coach, kate spade new york and Stuart Weitzman. Our Company and our brands are founded upon a creative and consumer-led view of luxury that stands for inclusivity and approachability. Each of our brands are unique and independent, while sharing a commitment to innovation and authenticity defined by distinctive products and differentiated customer experiences across channels and geographies. To learn more about Tapestry, follow us at www.linkedin.com/company/tapestryinc or visit www.tapestry.com. The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TPR. 

This information to be made available in this press release may contain forward-looking statements based on management’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements that can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “can,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “continue,” “project,” “guidance,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “anticipate,” “moving,” “leveraging,” “capitalizing,” “developing,” “drive,” “targeting,” “assume,” “plan,” “build,” “pursue,” “maintain,” “on track,” “well positioned to,” “look forward to,” “to acquire,” “achieve,” “strategic vision,” “growth opportunities” or comparable terms. Future results may differ materially from management’s current expectations, based upon a number of important factors, including risks and uncertainties such as expected economic trends, the ability to anticipate consumer preferences, the ability to control costs and successfully execute our transformation and operational efficiency initiatives and growth strategies and our ability to achieve intended benefits, cost savings and synergies from acquisitions, the impact of tax legislation, etc. Please refer to the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a complete list of risks and important factors. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

On its 25th anniversary, Old Navy partners with Open to All® to affirm its commitment to welcome everyone

(San Francisco, CA), JUNE 25, 2019 — To mark its 25th anniversary, Old Navy today announced an expanded partnership with Open to All®. Starting today, the iconic American fashion brand will significantly expand its Open to All® presence across North America by displaying welcoming signs in its storefronts across United States, Mexico, and Canada, and by donating $25,000 to support Open to All®.

“Since its founding, Old Navy has been a leader in diversity and inclusion, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to inclusion,” said Open to All® Campaign Manager Calla Rongerude. “Old Navy and Open to All® are joining together to build understanding about the importance of protecting people from discrimination, and the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®.”

To celebrate the expanded partnership, Open to All® has turned its website and logo purple in solidarity with Old Navy’s purple anniversary celebration on June 25, and Old Navy store associates are wearing purple Open to All® badges.

“One thing is certain, we will never stop believing that Old Navy can be a place where customers and communities feel a sense of belonging — and do our best to make that so,” said Old Navy President & CEO Sonia Syngal. “Our doors are open for everyone, and also open for ideas, open for love, open for differences, open for dialogue, and open for change.”

Founded in 1994, Old Navy is a recognized leader in diversity and inclusion, working to make sure everyone is welcome and celebrated in stores across America. As one of the founding partners to sign the Open to All® business pledge, Old Navy is reaffirming its commitment to maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for all people—including employees, visitors, customers, vendors, and clients—and to serve everyone on the same terms regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion or disability.

Rongerude spoke today at Old Navy’s headquarters to thank the company for its support and for putting its values into action. Rongerude underscored Old Navy’s leadership, noting that the company links its extraordinary success to its values of inclusivity and belonging.

“We hope other businesses are inspired by Old Navy and join them in declaring that they are Open to All®,” Open to All’s Rongerude said. “We agree with Old Navy and more than 5,000 other businesses nationwide who believe that we all benefit from treating every employee, customer, and vendor with the same dignity and respect.”

There are more than 1,100 Old Navy stores around the world.

Businesses wishing to join Open to All® can learn more and sign the pledge at http://www.opentoall.com/business-pledge/.

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Old Navy is a global apparel and accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible to every family. Originated in 1994, the brand celebrates the democracy of style through on-trend, playfully optimistic, affordable and high-quality product. A division of San Francisco-based Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Old Navy brings a fun, energizing shopping environment to its customers in more than 1,100 stores around the world.

Open to All® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the more than 5,000 business members, Open to All® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBT equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All® members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®.

Michaels declares it is Open to All®; Pledges to serve everyone on the same terms

(Irving, TX) June 20, 2019—Today, the Michaels Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIK), the largest arts and crafts retail chain in North America, announced it is joining Open to All®, the nationwide public engagement campaign to build understanding and discussion about the importance of protecting people from discrimination—and the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®. 

“We are proud to join Open to All® and build on Michaels longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Holly Shaskey-Platek, senior vice president of human resources for the Michaels Companies. “We’re dedicated to making Michaels a fun and supportive place to work, as well as a great place to shop. Whether it’s how we treat our team members or how we serve our customers, we know that our business and communities are stronger when we are united.”  

Michaels signed the Open to All® business pledge and stated their commitment to maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for people—including team members, visitors, customers, vendors and clients—regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion or disability. They pledged to not discriminate against any individuals or deny them goods or services based on any of these characteristics.   

Michaels joins Gap Inc., Old Navy, Yelp, Levi Strauss & Co., Airbnb, Lyft, Marriott, as well as nearly 5,000 businesses and nonprofits, in partnering with Open to All®. To welcome all customers, Michaels stores will also feature the Open to All® window cling in over 1,100 stores across the United States and Canada. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Michaels to Open to All®,” said Calla Rongerude, Open to All® campaign manager. “Not only is Michaels signing the pledge and taking action in over 1,100 stores, they are fully committing to changing the conversation about what it means to be a leader in the craft industry—and that means serving and welcoming everyone. We need strong leadership now, more than ever, and Michaels is answering the call. We call on customers to answer in kind by supporting businesses like Michaels that are open to all, not just some.” 

Open to All® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for shared American values of fairness and equality.  

Businesses who take the Open to All® business pledge are featured publicly on the Open to All® website. Open to All® has also teamed up with Yelp and is encouraging businesses that have a Yelp page to activate the new “Open to All” attribute to show customers that their business is Open to All®. In addition to business coalition, Open to All® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender (LGBT) equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more.  

Businesses can sign the Open to All® business pledge at http://www.opentoall.com/business-pledge. 

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Open to All® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the nearly 5,000 business members, Open to All® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBT equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All® members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®. www.opentoall.com  

The Michaels Companies, Inc. is North America’s largest specialty provider of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor, and seasonal merchandise for Makers and do-it-yourself home decorators. The Company operates more than 1,250 Michaels stores in 49 states and Canada. Additionally, the Company serves customers through a variety of digital platforms including Michaels.com, consumercrafts.com and aaronbrothers.com. The Michaels Companies, Inc., also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of high quality custom and specialty framing merchandise, and Darice, a premier wholesale distributor in the craft, gift and decor industry. For a list of store locations or to shop online, visit www.michaels.com or download the Michaels app.

New PSA by Open to All® encourages businesses to be welcoming, inclusive

(Boulder, CO), June 17, 2019—During a time when hate crimes and discrimination are on the rise, businesses and nonprofits are coming together across the country to publicly support the core American values of hospitality and inclusion—and to let their customers and employees know that everyone is welcome. The powerful new public service announcement (PSA), “Three Words,” is produced by Open to All®, the nationwide public education campaign to build understanding and discussion about the importance of protecting people from discrimination—and the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®.

“Three Words” refers to a new way for organizations to share their appreciation for their customers, clients, supporters, and employees. In this case, the three words are “open to all,” which means businesses have pledged to be welcoming to all, no matter who you are or where you come from, including people of color, people with disabilities, people of minority faiths, LGBT people, and others. It also refers to businesses that have joined the nationwide Open to All® campaign.

Click here to watch the ad.

“No one should have to worry about whether they will be denied service or face hostility as they go about their daily lives,” said Open to All® Campaign Manager Calla Rongerude. “Yet, all too often we hear stories of discrimination happening all over the country: from people of color facing abuse and violence in a diner, a gay couple being kicked out of an Uber, Muslim women ordered to leave a café, or people with disabilities being harassed in a restaurant. It’s crucial that businesses help put an end to discrimination and send a message that they welcome everyone.”

The Open to All® coalition includes a growing movement of nearly 5,000 businesses large and small across the United States, and over 200 nonprofits including the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, UNIDOS, the Anti-Defamation League, NAACP-LDF, and the ACLU. Businesses that take the Open to All® pledge agree to maintain a welcoming and safe environment for people—including employees, visitors, customers, vendors, and clients—regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion, or disability–and to not discriminate against any individuals or deny them services based on these characteristics.

The ad closes with shop owners saying, “Businesses saying loud and clear we’re open to all. Treating everyone fairly. Serving everyone—on the same terms. Join us. Let’s create an America where everyone is welcome, and where businesses are Open to All®.”

View the PSA at http://www.opentoall.com/three-words/

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Open to All® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for the shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the nearly 4,000 business members, Open to All® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBT equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All® members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®. www.opentoall.com

San Francisco Proclaims It Is “Open to All”

Businesses and Elected Officials Across San Francisco Pledge to Take a Stand Against Discrimination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Calla Rongerude, Campaign Manager, Open to All® calla@opentoall.com | 415.205.2420

Clair Farley, Senior Advisor to the Mayor, Executive Director, Office of Transgender Initiatives clair.farley@sfgov.org | 415.671.3071

(San Francisco, March 12, 2019)—Today, the city of San Francisco issued an official proclamation declaring it is an Open to All® city, pledging to welcome everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion or disability. Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman announced via an official proclamation that the city was joining the national Open to All® public education campaign. Open to All® unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for the shared American values of fairness and equality—and supports the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®.

To commemorate the occasion, Mayor Breed and Supervisor Mandelman hosted a kick-off event in Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro District of San Francisco featuring elected officials from across the city, community leaders, and business owners who have signed the Open to All® business pledge.

“San Francisco has a long history of standing united to advance the national dialogue around acceptance, civil rights, and human rights,” said Mayor London N. Breed. “The Open to All® campaign is about reinforcing our values and stating that no matter who you are, where you have come from, or who you love, you are welcome here in San Francisco.”

In addition to Yelp, which debuted an “Open to All” attribute in July 2018, Open to All® includes national business leaders such as Gap Inc., Marriott International Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., and Lyft, as well as nearly 4,000 businesses large and small across the country. Open to All® also includes nonprofit leaders such as the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, MALDEF, the Anti-Defamation League, NAACP-LDF, and the ACLU; and, more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBT equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more.

“By joining Open to All®, the City of San Francisco is continuing its leadership in diversity and inclusion,” said Open to All® Campaign Manager Calla Rongerude. “Civic and businesses leaders are committing to make residents and visitors alike feel safe and welcome regardless of who they are.”

The Open to All® campaign, in partnership with the City of San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the San Francisco Department of Transgender Initiatives, Mayor London Breed, and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman are calling on businesses across the city to sign the Open to All® business pledge and join the effort. Businesses that take the pledge are featured publicly on the Open to All® website.

“I am proud to say that Paper Tree has always been an ‘Open to All’ business,” said Linda Mihara, owner of Paper Tree, a small business in San Francisco. “Since we opened in 1968, we’ve celebrated the diversity of both Japantown and the Fillmore. For these 50 plus years, we have enjoyed introducing origami to San Francisco and the world—an art form that knows no racial or gender boundaries. We welcome all who visit this wonderful city to come to Japantown and visit Paper Tree, one of San Francisco’s Legacy Businesses!”

Mayor Breed and Supervisor Mandelman joined elected officials across the city to support Open to All®. In addition, Supervisor Mandelman encouraged his fellow supervisors to vote to approve a resolution declaring San Francisco is Open to All® at tonight’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting.

“San Francisco has a proud reputation as a city welcoming to all in search of acceptance, refuge, and opportunity,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “But even in cities like ours with strong nondiscrimination laws in place, people continue to face hostility in everyday situations. Nobody should have to fear being denied service at a restaurant or a safe ride home just because of who they are. By declaring our city Open to All®, we are sending a strong message that discrimination will not be tolerated here.”

Businesses can join Open to All® and sign the pledge at www.opentoall.com/business-pledge.

Click here or more information about the San Francisco kick-off event. 

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Open to All® Launch National Partnership with Elected Officials and Businesses to Fight Discrimination

November 13, 2018—New York City, NY—In an expansion of a nationwide public education campaign, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Open to All® today announced the launch of a taskforce of elected leaders from around the country, as businesses from all over New York City commit to serving everyone on equal terms, regardless of who they are. Open to All® is a coalition that unites leaders in business, civic engagement, and the non-profit sector across the United States to build support for nondiscrimination and defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®.

Comptroller Stringer also announced that fifteen lawmakers from around the country, including Mayor Libby Schaaf of Oakland and Mayor Catherine Pugh of Baltimore, have joined him in supporting Open to All®. Comptroller Stringer’s taskforce, Local Electeds Against Discrimination (LEAD), is a national network of elected leaders who support Open to All® and are also taking a stand for nondiscrimination protections in their cities and states. The LEAD taskforce brings together local elected officials from across the country to share model nondiscrimination policies, strategies for encouraging businesses to pledge to be Open to All®, and ideas for bringing together local communities to oppose discrimination.

“Diversity is our nation’s greatest asset and putting policies in place to fight discrimination moves us one step closer to becoming a more just, thriving country,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “We have seen too many instances where people have been turned away because of who they are – it’s discriminatory and it has to end now. That starts with government leaders taking a stand and advocating for policies that reflect our values of inclusion. I’m honored to stand with elected officials across the United States to ensure that businesses in every corner of our nation are open to all.”

By signing the Open to All® Elected Officials Pledge and joining the LEAD Taskforce, lawmakers agree to:

  • Take a stand for nondiscrimination in their city or state and work to create a welcoming and safe environment for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion or disability.
  • Oppose discrimination against individuals or denial of goods or services based on any of these characteristics, and to work to ensure businesses provide all goods and services to everyone on the same terms.

The announcement that New York City is Open to All® is also supported by Gap Inc., which recently signed on to the Open to All® business pledge at over 2,300 Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, and Intermix stores across the country, spanning all 50 states, including 190 stores in the state of New York. Last month, Gap Inc. joined Yelp, Marriott International Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., Lyft, as well as more than 1,500 small businesses and 200 nonprofits, in partnering with Open to All®.

“Open to All® and the work of the LEAD Taskforce is critical in this current environment,” said Open to All® Campaign Manager Calla Rongerude. “We have heard from gay couples who are afraid to stop at restaurants on a cross-country drive, or people of color who are afraid to linger too long over a cup of coffee. People want to know where they will be safe and welcome. Open to All® is very simple. It’s a public declaration that a business will treat people fairly—and a promise that if someone isn’t treated fairly that the business will take that seriously. It’s also a pledge to fight back against discrimination in communities across the United States. We’re inspired to see businesses like Gap Inc. and elected officials like Comptroller Stringer leading the charge and making a commitment to inclusion.”

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The Open to All® coalition is a coalition of over 200 organizations including civil rights and racial justice organizations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) organizations and community centers, health and advocacy organizations, and faith organizations—plus a rapidly growing number of businesses—that believe in the basic principle that when a business opens its doors to the public, it should be open to everyone, on the same terms. Learn more at www.OpentoAll.com

Gap Inc. Declares its Stores Nationwide as ‘Open to All’

Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, and Intermix Pledge to Serve Everyone on the Same Terms

October 4, 2018—Washington, D.C.—Gap Inc. today announced it is signing the Open to All® Business Pledge and urging other business leaders across the nation to add their voices and their businesses to declare they are Open to All® and oppose discrimination. There are over 2,300 Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, and Intermix stores in the country, spanning all 50 states.

Gap Inc. joins Yelp, Levi Strauss & Co., Lyft, as well as more than 1,500 small businesses and 200 nonprofits, in partnering with Open to All®, a public education campaign focused on the longstanding principles that affirm when a business opens its doors to the public, it should be open to everyone on the same terms. To welcome all customers, Gap Inc. stores will also feature the Open to All® window cling in select stores across America.

“Since our founding nearly 50 years ago, our company values have led the way we run our business. Together, our brands celebrate equality for all in our workplaces and communities globally. Not only does this foster inclusivity, creativity and contribute to a more just world, it also helps us be more competitive in the marketplace and better serve our customers. We’re proud to join the Open to All® coalition and stand with other businesses to welcome all customers to our brands,” said Art Peck, president and chief executive officer at Gap Inc.

Gap Inc. will also post Open to All® signs at its headquarter buildings in San Francisco, New York and Albuquerque, as well as at its distribution centers in California, Ohio, Tennessee and New York. The company has approximately 135,000 employees around the world.

“Gap Inc. has demonstrated a deep commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality,” said Calla Rongerude, campaign manager of Open to All®. “In a time when many people of color, LGBT people, people of minority faiths, and many others still can’t be sure they won’t be discriminated against when they seek goods or services, it is more important than ever for businesses to affirm inclusive values. Their stores are found in most communities across the country and we’re thrilled to work with Gap Inc., as a leader on this campaign.”

A new poll released earlier this week shows that most Americans support businesses like Gap Inc. that are Open to All®. The Harris Poll®, conducted in conjunction with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, finds that 75% of Americans believe when a business opens their door to the public, they should be open to all and serve everyone on the same terms. The poll also found that a vast majority of Americans agree that businesses should not be allowed to deny services to people based on their race, ethnicity, or national origin (87%), sex (87%), sexual orientation (81%), gender identity (80%), religion (85%), or disability (88%).

Last month, Gap Inc. was ranked as one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies for the second consecutive year in the annual Thomson Reuters Global Diversity and Inclusion Index, which scores companies using environmental, social, and governance metrics. Earlier this year, Gap Inc. was named as the only U.S. retailer to make the 2018 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and was the first Fortune 500 company to independently validate it pays women and men equally for the same work. In 2017, the company was the first and only apparel company to sign on to a new set of global business standards—led by the United Nations Human Rights office—to promote LGBTQ rights around the world.

Open to All® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the non-profit sector to take a stand for shared American values of fairness and equality.

In addition to the over 1,500 business members, Open to All® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender (LGBT) equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All® members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All®.

Open to All® was originally launched in November 2017. Initially, the campaign was focused on strengthening support for nondiscrimination amid oral arguments in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Open to All’s business engagement initiative represents a dramatic expansion of that effort, encouraging businesses large and small across the country to publicly and visibly declare that they support nondiscrimination and that they are Open to All®.

Businesses can sign the pledge at http://www.opentoall.com/business-pledge/.

For more information about the Open to All® coalition, or today’s announcement, please visit www.OpenToAll.com.