Chattanooga business leaders voice support for racial equity pledge

Leaders of some of Chattanooga’s largest employers gathered at City Hall on Thursday to throw their collective support behind a pledge for racial equity, calling the focus an economic imperative.

“U.S. Xpress has about 2,000 employees in the local community, and we have about 10,000 nationwide, and we have announced publicly that we intend on doubling our company in four years,” said U.S. Xpress CEO Eric Fuller. “We know in order to accomplish our goals we have to attract the right talent, and that talent needs to be diverse and inclusive.”

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce unveiled the pledge this week, and about 50 area business leaders have signed it, as well as Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.

“This commitment isn’t something we should take lightly,” Kelly said at the gathering Thursday. “Signing a pledge cannot be the end. We have to get to work, and as mayor I feel a fierce sense of urgency for action and lasting change.”