VCU news

To members of the VCU and VCU Health community,

Earlier today, the jury reached a verdict in the trial of ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted on all charges for the murder of George Floyd last May.

Though the trial is over, healing must continue, as pain continues for people of color in the VCU community, throughout the commonwealth and across the nation. Students, faculty, staff, team members and friends of VCU and VCU Health have shared with me their fear, disgust and absolute frustration at a system that allows continued violence and injustice against people of color, especially Black males.

As a society, our journey toward justice continues. And as a university and academic health system, we must be dedicated to promoting change through our research, our teaching, our commitment to improving human health and in our engagement with the communities we serve.

To honor the memory of all those who have lost their lives through similar violent acts, we must call out racial injustice when we see it, insist on accountability and, above all, work peacefully together to build a more just and equitable society.

Sincerely,

Michael Rao, Ph.D.
President, VCU and VCU Health System