The note below was shared with Electronic Arts employees by our CEO Andrew Wilson.

Team,

We are a values-driven company, and we have long held the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion as our foundation. The past year has been challenging with the racial and social injustices felt by so many around the world. These important conversations have driven us to be more vocal about our beliefs, and more active in service of meaningful change. We’ve shown the power of what we can achieve when we stand together and take action for each other and our communities.

At this time last year, we shared our long-term commitments to further instill diversity, inclusion and equity into everything we do. This was not the beginning of our efforts, and we are certainly not at the end. I want to recognize what we have collectively accomplished, and share more actions we’re taking in the coming weeks to help empower you to influence change.

Since last June: 

• We contributed more than $2.6 million USD in combined donations and giving programs to organizations working to end systemic racial injustice, fight discrimination and protect human rights in the U.S. and around the world. This includes charitable matches to support causes that matter most to you. 
  
  
• Our Employee Resource Groups have grown to nearly 5,000 people, and have hosted hundreds of events that have been an outlet to educate, inspire, and support one another in a safe space. I have personally joined sessions to listen and take action from what we learned. I will continue to be an ally in lifting up the voices of our underrepresented team members. 
  
  
• We launched a new program with an additional paid day for volunteering in your community. Many of you took advantage of this opportunity, accounting for thousands of volunteer hours in FY21. Despite being in the midst of a global pandemic, I’m inspired by all of you who gave your time and made an impact.
  
  
• We've evolved our recruiting practices to create more equitable opportunities for underrepresented talent. This is being done through outreach with Historically Black Colleges & Universities, as well as supporting youth-oriented organizations and scholarship funds that cultivate the next generation of diverse talent.
  
  
• We've recommitted to developing diverse teams and future leaders from within. We’re increasing access to even more career resources, mentorship opportunities, and job-specific training, while underscoring the importance of development plans that champion your career growth goals.
  
  
• We released our first Impact Report this past October as a comprehensive look at our progress with all of these efforts and more. It was a significant first step towards transparency and accountability as we continue on this journey. We’ll release our next report later this year.

Although we’re pleased with the progress we're making, our work for lasting change is never done. We will continue to lead through our actions, and today we’re contributing an additional $500,000 of support across four organizations doing crucial work in different aspects of social and racial justice throughout the world. 

We’re deepening our ongoing relationships with donations to Black Girls Code and Players Coalition in their continuous work to end social injustices and racial inequality. To align with our Positive Play Charter, we’re supporting Ditch the Label in their efforts to help young people around the world navigate mental health and bullying. In celebration of PRIDE Month, we’re championing the Human Rights Campaign's support of the LGBTQ community and their larger mission of equality for all.   

You can help amplify the impact of our company contributions and champion causes important to you. In the spirit of our global celebration honoring Juneteenth, we will double match your donations, up to $500,000, made to a choice of nearly 30 organizations selected by our ERG community. Donation matches will begin June 17 and more information on eligible organizations will come in the weeks ahead. 

We’re conscious of injustice that continues to happen around the world, including the painful reminders in the past week of the mistreatment of Indigenous People in Canada. June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, and please know that we are working with our Canadian colleagues on plans to take further action in support of Indigenous communities, including organizations that you can support with the double match in June.  

Given the power volunteerism can have on positive change in our communities, we’re adding new resources to help you identify, explore, and practice active allyship. This month we’ll offer a series of virtual volunteer opportunities that you can get involved with to engage and mentor underrepresented talent across the globe.

This month, our BEAT! and PRIDE ERGs are hosting a series of community building activities, immersive workshops, and panel discussions in celebration of Juneteenth and PRIDE Month. Of the many great events is a PRIDE Ball on June 16 as well as a fireside chat with Angelica Ross, a leading human rights activist for trans and racial equality, on June 17. Stay tuned for more details. 

Let’s continue to learn, grow, and drive lasting change together in our continued journey to a more inclusive and equitable world for all.  

Andrew