People — From our retail stores to our corporate offices, we will work to foster a culture of belonging and ensure all of our teams, including leadership, represent all the communities we serve. Our work includes:

• Achieving a more diverse team, at all levels. While Timberland employees across the U.S. are 49% BIPOC and 51% white/unknown, the numbers at our corporate office are far less balanced: 7% BIPOC and 93% white/unknown. Our retail teammates are 69% BIPOC and 31% white/unknown
• Deploying company-wide unconscious bias and inclusion training
• Partnering with BRAG (Black Retail Action Group) to inspire and recruit promising talent to pursue careers in the retail industry
• Becoming a member of the Diversity Workforce Coalition
• Exploring remote work opportunities for corporate positions, giving us more geographic flexibility for hiring
• Creating a retail-to-office employee development program

Community — We will continue to give back to the communities that have supported our brand journey, to ensure that future generations experience a greener, more equitable world. Our work includes:

• Focusing our U.S. greening efforts to support communities of color, who are disproportionately affected by environmental inequities. By 2023, we will have created or restored 500k square feet of green space in U.S. cities
• Supporting communities of color through employee service events, from renovating local schools and parks to immersive educational opportunities
• Dedicating an annual day of hands-on community service for employees to advance racial and social justice

Design Education — Design innovation is a hallmark of our brand, and we realize that Black talent may not always have access to the opportunities to learn, hone and showcase their skills. Our work includes:

• Partnering with the acclaimed PENSOLE Design Academy to launch footwear design education programs for promising creators from diverse backgrounds
• Piloting a program, in collaboration with a New York City school, to inspire and encourage diverse students to consider a career in product design and development

Entrepreneurship — It takes hard work and hustle to start your own business and be an entrepreneur in this ever-changing environment. It also takes access to opportunity. That’s why we intend to partner with Black-owned businesses to provide support, resources and guidance to forge a path to the future, with a particular focus on sustainability and design innovation.

We are currently assessing partnership opportunities and future investments on this front. More to come, stay tuned.