Dear Lionesses
All deaths are tragic - but there are times in our lives when one death can be the spark that ignites a real call for momentous change. George Floyd might well go down in history as being one such death that changes the very heart of our society.
8 Minutes and 46 Seconds - that is the time it took for George Floyd to die in police custody, according to the criminal complaint that has now been lodged. The tragic and violent death of George Floyd in the US this week, all captured on film for the world to witness, was truly shocking and an affront to humanity. It has rightly galvanized people around the world in condemnation. Importantly, it has also urged us all to raise our voices and speak out against systemic racism and injustice, wherever it takes place, and to get the message out loud and clear that Black Lives Matter.
We all have a role to play - with our actions, our decision-making, our communication, our advocacy for change, and with our voices. Being silent is not an option when injustice keeps repeating itself and tragedies like the death of George Floyd are allowed to keep happening, while the world simply watches or worse still, looks away.
As Desmond Tutu says, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
Lionesses of Africa is built on a belief in the power of community and its ability to change the status quo. Our manifesto includes this statement: “We believe in the power of community working together to drive change for the common good.” As women entrepreneurs, we know all too well from our own business building journeys that making big change happen is tough. But we also know that we are stronger together, and when we support one another, when we speak out with one voice, we can effect real and lasting change in the world, and make it a better and more just place.
— Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa