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2. Understanding and approach City of Hugo, Minnesota Page | 10 Racial Equity Action Plan (ACTION) and focus on social justice Our firm developed an ACTION plan to support our strategic goal of increasing the retention of team members of color, and also to create positive change in our communities and our profession. As initial steps in our plan, we convened our DIBS steering committee and formed a racial equity advisory group consisting of a diverse group of team members. We then worked closely with a highly respected consulting firm with more than 30 years of experience to assess the current state of our workplace as it relates to diversity, inclusion and racial equity. We used their recommendations to refine our DIBS strategic plan and inform the next steps in our journey. During the past few months, Baker Tilly team members have taken the time to have difficult conversations and reflect deeply. Colleagues shared stories of how racism and discrimination affect their daily lives – stories they did not feel comfortable sharing before. Others gained new insight into their own unconscious biases and the steps needed to overcome them. As a firm, we are committed to continue on this learning journey and achieve tangible results together. Baker Tilly Foundation support for racial justice advocacy As a firm, we have made our position clear: we stand against racism and discrimination in any form. The Baker Tilly Foundation’s board of directors, with input from our team members, recently selected key racial justice organizations as recipients of direct financial support from our firm –with a commitment to match team member donations. Additionally, our SOAR committees support local social justice causes through event sponsorship, fundraising initiatives and volunteer engagement. Tone from the top: CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Baker Tilly is a member of CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, a steering committee of CEOs focused on making diversity and inclusion a business priority. CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion is the most extensive alliance of business leaders openly committed to sharing successful diversity initiatives and lessons learned. This corporate exchange provides a central hub for participating businesses to share successes and challenges. As a member, Baker Tilly pledges to: − Make our workplaces trusting places to have open conversations about diversity and inclusion − Implement and expand unconscious bias education − Share best, and unsuccessful, practices