Our Commitment

We have been deeply reflecting about the ongoing calls for justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others who came before them. As a leader in the Chicago community, we need to do more to create a more just and equitable world, and we’ll start with our city.

Voicing our support is not enough. We need to roll up our sleeves and do what’s right, no matter how long that takes or how difficult it may seem. We will be updating this page as we continue to build upon our initiatives---we encourage you to check back. This is just the start. This is overdue, but we will continue to listen, and we welcome your suggestions to help us learn and grow.

Here is where we are starting:

1. Immediately, we commit to supporting Black-run charities and organizations, especially ones focused on our Chicago community. We are making a $25K donation to My Block, My Hood, My City, along with supporting their work in providing relief to small businesses affected on the south and west sides, Brave Space Alliance, Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and the Let Us Breathe Collective.


2. In the short-term, we commit to supporting Black-owned businesses by incorporating products in our community initiatives and sourcing local goods for our brewhouse when it reopens. We will continue to update this page with all the different ways we will be doing this. 


3. In the Medium-term and long-term: we commit to learn more, actively train and recruit a more diverse workforce (not necessarily just for Goose; but for our entire industry). We must lead the change.


4. Internally, we’re working on better ways to support and give further resources to our existing Diversity and Inclusion team, and we’re reviewing our recruiting, hiring, and promoting practices. We need to work together to become a more inclusive industry where all are felt welcome. 


5. We will continue our efforts of hosting candid discussions on diversity in craft beer with leaders across the Chicago brewing industry. This cannot be a one-time conversation, and we are committed to creating an ongoing dialogue with more conversations, more panels, and more listening to the diverse voices in our industry so we can all do better.


6. On-going, we commit to instituting change by supporting the importance of voting. Voting is one of the most crucial ways to get our voices heard and actionably turn demands into policy. Goose Island has started the movement internally, and will continue to amplify efforts to encourage voter turnout and registration and learn more about elections at the local, state, and national levels. 

We’re still learning and we’re listening. We encourage you to submit your ideas and suggestions here, if you’re open to it. 

We understand there is a lot of work to be done, and we want to work together to create a more just and equitable Chicago. Doing the work doesn’t mean cutting a check – it means taking the time to educate ourselves on how to best contribute in the most impactful way. We welcome your ideas and suggestions on organizations to work with and causes we should help amplify. Together, we can create change.