A promise in progress

In 2020, our executive committee, operating committee and board of directors, along with thousands of Raymond James associates, signed a pledge to the Black community. Both within the firm and across the communities we call home, we’re finding ways to not simply make good on that promise, but to expand its scope and its impact. Below, is a snapshot of the steps we’ve taken so far – the first in our pursuit of a better firm and a brighter, more equitable, more just future.

OUR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Since the leadership team of Raymond James made its pledge to the Black community, we have been working diligently to fulfill it. Here is a summary of the progress made so far on the pledge’s five key tenets.


1. EXPAND BLACK REPRESENTATION AMONG ASSOCIATES, ADVISORS AND LEADERSHIP

20 department-specific Diversity & Inclusion committees established


2. ESTABLISH EXPLICIT GOALS AND IMPLEMENT TRANSPARENT REPORTING
 

Inaugural workforce representation baseline developed

Diversity & Inclusion Dashboard created

 

Firmwide Inclusion Index (new and ongoing tracking) launched


3. LAUNCH A MENTORING INITIATIVE
 

Partnered with Columbia Business School, participating in their Developing Black Leaders in Financial Services program

2021 Mentoring for Black Associates initiative launched

 

Hosted inaugural Finance Discovery Program for underrepresented students


4. DEVELOP AND DELIVER A TRAINING CURRICULUM AND RESOURCE PORTAL

900 associates
participated in Exploring Everyday Bias training

400 associates
participated in Café Conversations workshop

39-page guide
to inclusive leadership released


5. PLEDGE AN INITIAL $1.5 MILLION TO SUPPORT ADVANCEMENT OF BLACK COMMUNITIES
 

Funds distributed to 12 high-impact community organizations in 10 cities

 

Associates participated in nine Juneteenth Day of Service volunteer activities