A Message from Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation

June 6, 2020

This statement released by Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, the president of the Rockefeller Foundation, offers a reflection on recent events following the death of George Floyd, and also acts as a statement to denounce racism. Dr. Shah discusses the thoughtful dialogue and engagement among staff members at the Rockefeller Foundation, and points out the ways in which 

“For more than 100 years, The Rockefeller Foundation has worked to advance racial equality in America”

Dr. Shah notes the ways that Rockefeller has supported racial equity, and how this priority has been a mission of theirs since before the foundation had even really started. The founder, John D. Rockefeller, Sr. apparently

“supported historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) when they were one of the only avenues for young African American women and men to pursue higher learning.”

Dr. Shah then talks about the more recent efforts of the Rockefeller Foundation to take a stand against racism in this country, as the problem has clearly not gone away.