Black Lives Matter

EQUALITY. INCLUSIVITY. LOVE.

As fitness professionals, we know that the real change in the body happens through moments that are uncomfortable. As humans, we must remember, that real changes in society are no different – they are uncomfortable too.

While POUND is a global community built on Inclusivity, we recognize there is much more we can do to promote racial equity and further the conversation in our industry. We also recognize that change means trying and failing- making mistakes and learning from them. It’s the fear of failure that keeps so many companies from joining the conversation.

We are committed to the persistent pursuit of progress and seek accountability within and from our community. We do not believe in cancel culture but RATHER a culture that calls people in and CALLS THEM UP to be better through transparency, kindness and action.

We are not neutral when it comes to issues of racial injustice. We don’t believe in staying in our “fitness lane” but instead demand that our “lane” be broadened to encompass justice and demand inclusivity within our brand and the larger fitness community.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO

REPRESENTING AND UPLIFTING PEOPLE OF COLOR THROUGHOUT OUR COMPANY, FROM HEADQUARTERS TO OUR INSTRUCTORS

CONTINUING OUR INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT AND ANTI-RACISM TRAINING BY INCORPORATING EXTERNAL DEI CONSULTANTS AND PROMOTING ONGOING AWARENESS

SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES WHO DEMONSTRATE INCLUSIVITY AND PARTNERING WITH COMPANIES WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THE SAME VALUES

SHARING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ON RACE AND INCLUSIVITY WITH OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR BEAT BLOG AND PODCAST, THE BIG GREEN COUCH, AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES, LEARN + UNLEARN, GET INVOLVED AND TAKE A STAND

PROMOTING DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVITY THROUGH ALL CAMPAIGNS AND PLATFORMS WHERE WE HAVE A VOICE, AND ASKING THAT OUR INSTRUCTORS DO THE SAME

PROVIDING TOOLS, RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR INSTRUCTOR BASE TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR AWARENESS AND SUPPORT

PROMOTE A BALANCED AND DIVERSE MUSIC LIBRARY AND ARTIST REPRESENTATION IN OUR PROGRAMMING

ENCOURAGE AND ACTIVELY SEEK INSTRUCTORS OF COLOR: HOSTING TRAININGS IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COMMUNITIES AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLACK OWNED AND OPERATED FITNESS FACILITIES AND HEALTH-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS

BEING “UNAPOLOGETIC IN OUR WILLINGNESS TO APOLOGIZE”

RESOURCES

READ

How to Be Anti-Racist Ibram X. Kendi

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness Michelle Alexander

White Fragility: Why it’s So hard for White People to Talk about Racism Robin DiAngelo

Between the World and Me Ta-Nehisi Coates

Black Feminist Thought Patricia Hill Collins

So You Want to Talk about Race Ijeoma Oluo

Raising our Hands Jenna Arnold

What it Means to be Black in Fitness Self Magazine

Why So Many Organizations Stay White Harvard Business Review

The 1619 Project (all the articles) The New York Times

WATCH

13TH – Netflix

The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax

When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netfllix

Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent

Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent

Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix

LISTEN

1619 In 1619, a ship carrying enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia. This was the beginning of 250 years of slavery. The New York Times and journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones tell the story of slavery in America.

CODE SWITCH NPR’s “Code Switch” discusses how race affects every aspect of our society—from politics to pop culture to sports and history.

POD SAVE THE PEOPLE Activist DeRay Mckesson breaks down culture, politics and social justice with the help of fellow activists, experts, influencers and leaders.

The INSIDER OUTSIDER Hosted by co-founder Michael Welp, The Insider Outsider Podcast dives deep into the impacts of inclusive leadership and how stepping into courageous conversations changes lives, at work and at home.

INTERSECTIONALITY MATTERS! Intersectionality Matters! is a podcast hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and a leading scholar of critical race theory.

POD FOR A CAUSE This podcast was created for those of you wanting to effect change, who understand the importance of restoring our democracy and want to engage in deep conversation around the issues.