Diversity, Inclusion and Kindness

STATEMENT FROM DAVE GOLDBERG, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CADENCE EDUCATION

This is a difficult time. In addition to the devastating pandemic, which continues to have such incredibly negative impacts on so many of us, the recent tragic and unnecessary deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor – the most recent examples of a disturbing and unacceptable trend – and the many subsequent protests have highlighted even further the issues of discrimination in our country.

To be clear where Cadence Education stands: We believe in and value the principles of inclusion, diversity, respect for all people, and kindness. We stand firmly opposed to racism, discrimination, and violence. And we expect our employees to act in accordance with these beliefs.

We certainly have policies in place requiring that everyone is treated equally with fairness and respect, and articulating our commitment to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information, or any other status protected by law. We are committed to that policy and to having no tolerance for actions inconsistent with that policy.

We have worked at creating a culture that not only makes this policy an expectation but goes beyond the policy and stresses the importance of treating all people with respect and kindness. I am proud of the company and our team and the respect, caring and collaboration I see from our team on a daily basis.

I am also proud of the work we have done in building our Ascend curriculum and our Kind Child program. These important teaching tools reflect our beliefs, and we are so fortunate to be able to play a part in teaching children about these principles.

And we work in an industry that values these principles. Cadence Education is a member of an industry advocacy group called the Early Care and Education Consortium. The ECEC has issued this ECEC Leaders Statement which I have signed along with other industry CEOs, affirming our industry’s commitment to incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion into our programs.

Despite all we do, I am also certain that we can, and will find ways to, do more.

As a final thought: Children are naturally inclusive, non-discriminatory and mostly kind to each other. While we usually teach children, in this regard we can also learn from them.

I hope you all are healthy and can find some happiness during these troubling times.