Judge Barbara Houser (U.S Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Texas, Dallas), president of the American Bankruptcy Institute, issued a statement on ABI’s commitment to diversity, including an update on the work of ABI’s diversity and inclusion working group. The full statement can be found below:
“The recent senseless deaths of black Americans have brought to light the systemic, ongoing and deep-rooted issues our beloved country has with race. I know my outrage over these recent events is shared by ABI members, staff and the entire insolvency community, but is felt most deeply by our black friends, colleagues and family members. ABI stands against racism and is committed to professionalism, equality and diversity.
“ABI’s diversity and inclusion working group was put in place in 2018 to address issues with diversity, including racial diversity, within ABI, its leadership and our industry. I thought it important at this time to share with you an update from ABI diversity and inclusion working group co-chair Michael Bernstein on the efforts of this group to date.
“There is much we need to do to improve racial diversity and inclusion in our country and in our profession. ABI is committed to maintaining an open dialogue on these issues.”
Judge Houser encourages practitioners to reach out to her, Bernstein or Amy Quackenboss, executive director of the ABI, if they have thoughts or ideas on how the ABI can further its diversity and inclusion initiatives.
