Internal memo that went out today at PwC (the company Bo worked for):
Team,
Over the past few days, I’ve been so moved by the outpouring of caring and concern in response to the news that our colleague Botham "Bo" Jean was tragically killed last week in Dallas. Many of you have shared the profound sense of loss you feel for someone who you may never have met, but still feel connected to as a member of our PwC family.
Since the events of last Thursday, my mind has returned many times to thinking of Bo, the loss of his very bright future and the pain his family is feeling. I personally spoke with Bo’s mother over the weekend. She has shown incredible strength since he was killed. The past few days have brought into sharp focus what an extraordinary colleague, friend, son and brother Bo was. We've heard from those who knew and loved him about his kindness, his infectious smile, and his love of his family. Our world needs more people like Bo, and I want to share some of the ways we can honor his memory and show our support for his family and for each other.
Showing our support and honoring Bo’s memory
While there are many different ways to honor the extraordinary person that Bo was, there is power in coming together to reflect on the death of one of our own in a collective moment of remembrance. That’s why I’d ask that this coming Thursday, September 13 at 1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 pm CT, the time that Bo’s funeral will begin, we observe a moment of silence as a firm. I’ll personally be in attendance at Bo’s funeral at that time, and I’d ask that wherever you are, you take a moment to think of Bo, his family and the light he brought to all those around him, one that was sadly extinguished far too soon.
Additionally, many of you have reached out asking if you could contribute toward the cost of the memorial service. The PwC Foundation has already taken care of that; however, there are other ways you can donate in memory of Bo. As you may know, Bo was a graduate of Harding University. His family has set up the Botham Jean Memorial Scholarship Fund to help Caribbean students attend Harding. The firm will be making a $50,000 contribution to the Scholarship Fund. In addition, PwC has created a scholarship for minority students majoring in accounting at Harding, and will also make a $50,000 donation to that fund. If you wish to contribute to either scholarship fund, you may do so through our giving site. As always, 100% of your donations through this site will go to the intended charity. All donations to Harding will also be matched by the firm.
Many of you have also asked how you can get a message to Bo’s family expressing your own condolences and to share your memories of Bo. The family has requested that any cards or correspondence be sent to his sister at the following address: Mrs. Allisa X
Being there for each other
In the past few days, our focus has been on supporting Bo's family and taking care of each other.
Several of you have asked me about the role of race in this tragedy. There is an ongoing investigation and hopefully we will know more soon. That said, what we do know is that an unarmed man was tragically killed in his own home. Emotions are raw not only in Dallas but across the firm. I have been and will continue to be a strong proponent of unconscious / implicit bias training as well as learning more about each other’s perspectives through open dialogues. It is important that we all take time to understand the experiences our underrepresented minorities -- and especially, in this situation, our black colleagues -- experience in everyday life so that we can all be better co-workers, friends and allies.
That’s why I’ve asked our leaders across the country to double down on creating safe environments to share these experiences and so we can all learn and be better. If you wish to join or initiate one of these discussions in your market or office, please contact your Market People Leader. In addition, over the course of the next few days and weeks, we will evaluate all options and determine additional actions to take as a firm.
As a reminder, if you need to talk, contact LiveWell Resources at 877-PwC-####. In addition, if you receive any press inquiries, please refer them to our US External Communications leader Megan.
Let’s continue to support each other as we come together during this difficult time for all those who were touched by Bo’s life.