Biz journal leaves civic group after leader disparages Black Lives Matter

The North Bay Business Journal in California has pulled out of the Sonoma County Alliance, the latest major organizations to leave the influential civic group after its president last month authored a public letter widely viewed as disparaging the Black Lives Matter movement, reports Bill Swindell of the Press Democrat.

Swindell reports, “Joining those leaving the alliance was the North Bay Business Journal.

“‘We all should not forget the contributions the Alliance has made over the decades to business and our communities, taking leadership positions on economic development, transportation, jobs, housing, water, land use, wastewater and education, to name just a few,’ said Business Journal Publisher Brad Bollinger. ‘That said, we have taken the step of resigning our membership so that, as we move into a robust discussion and real actions to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in our communities, the Business Journal can, as always, fulfill its fundamental role as impartial observer.’

“That action followed health care giant Kaiser leaving the group until it ‘can see that real progress has been made with tangible results in the areas of equity and inclusion,’ according to an email to staff by Tarek Salaway, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Marin-Sonoma service area.”

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