June 2, 2020

Jackie Ross
Jun 2, 2020
2 min read

Hi Gang,

So many of you have reached out to ask how other leaders are broaching conversations in the wake of recent events and amid a wave of civil unrest. Yesterday, I shared compelling thoughts from a colleague about what he and our black friends and colleagues are experiencing. Today, I’ve established a virtual community, the Black Leaders in Biotech LinkedIn Group, to build fellowship, mentorship, and help drive change in our industry.

In 2019, we hosted quarterly “real-world” gatherings (remember those?) for the Black Leaders in Biotech network. At the most recent, esteemed panelists Cynthia Burks, Robin Washington, Olivia Ware, and Dennis Driver led a candid dialogue about their professional journeys, how they broke through barriers, and what advice they’d offer others. Here’s the thing… most of the 80+ attendees were black. And that’s great! Creating a network was a primary objective when we first launched the initiative. But to drive TRUE CHANGE, we can’t just preach to the choir. We need everyone involved. (That includes us, white people!)

So, we will resume now – virtually – and we invite all of you to join. In this space, we will share helpful resources. We will initiate courageous conversations. We will support each other and learn from each other. It’s a small step… let’s see where it takes us.

[Please forward my email – everyone is invited to join the Black Leaders in Biotech LinkedIn Group, and invited to receive Vital Signs – not just the C-suite.]

News & Resources

Checking In With Your Employees During Challenging Times (PDF here) – I wish I could attribute the author of this; saw it floating around LinkedIn and really liked it
Merck CEO Ken Frazier on unrest over police brutality: George Floyd ‘could be me’
Trevor Noah shares his thoughts on the killing of George Floyd, the protests in Minneapolis, the dominos of racial injustice and police brutality, and how the contract between society and black Americans has been broken time and time again. Watch here.
Crayola unveils new packs of crayons to reflect world's skin tones – it’s about time!
Book recommendations: How To Be An Antiracist, The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America – a colleague in my office started a book club and invited the entire office to join; we’re starting with these

Food Fight – because you still gotta eat! Send me yours!

Today’s winner is a healthy and colorful dish all the way from Boston. Lovely submission, Jim Frates, Chief Financial Officer of Alkermes!

Chef’s comments: “Quinoa, zucchini and avocado. Recipe from Christopher Kimball at Milk Street. I added hard-boiled egg and tomato. You boil the quinoa with cinnamon and marinate the fresh zucchini in balsamic vinegar. A little fresh mint and almonds to top it off.” (God, how I miss restaurants…)