New PSA by Open to All^® encourages businesses to be welcoming, inclusive

(Boulder, CO), June 17, 2019—During a time when hate crimes and discrimination are on the rise, businesses and nonprofits are coming together across the country to publicly support the core American values of hospitality and inclusion—and to let their customers and employees know that everyone is welcome. The powerful new public service announcement (PSA), “Three Words,” is produced by Open to All^®, the nationwide public education campaign to build understanding and discussion about the importance of protecting people from discrimination—and the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All^®.

“Three Words” refers to a new way for organizations to share their appreciation for their customers, clients, supporters, and employees. In this case, the three words are “open to all,” which means businesses have pledged to be welcoming to all, no matter who you are or where you come from, including people of color, people with disabilities, people of minority faiths, LGBT people, and others. It also refers to businesses that have joined the nationwide Open to All^® campaign.

Click here to watch the ad.

“No one should have to worry about whether they will be denied service or face hostility as they go about their daily lives,” said Open to All^® Campaign Manager Calla Rongerude. “Yet, all too often we hear stories of discrimination happening all over the country: from people of color facing abuse and violence in a diner, a gay couple being kicked out of an Uber, Muslim women ordered to leave a café, or people with disabilities being harassed in a restaurant. It’s crucial that businesses help put an end to discrimination and send a message that they welcome everyone.”

The Open to All^® coalition includes a growing movement of nearly 5,000 businesses large and small across the United States, and over 200 nonprofits including the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, UNIDOS, the Anti-Defamation League, NAACP-LDF, and the ACLU. Businesses that take the Open to All^® pledge agree to maintain a welcoming and safe environment for people—including employees, visitors, customers, vendors, and clients—regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion, or disability–and to not discriminate against any individuals or deny them services based on these characteristics.

The ad closes with shop owners saying, “Businesses saying loud and clear we’re open to all. Treating everyone fairly. Serving everyone—on the same terms. Join us. Let’s create an America where everyone is welcome, and where businesses are Open to All^®.”

View the PSA at http://www.opentoall.com/three-words/

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Open to All^® is one of the most significant public education efforts to date that unites and galvanizes national leaders in business, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector to take a stand for the shared American values of fairness and equality. In addition to the nearly 4,000 business members, Open to All^® includes more than 200 nonprofit members spanning civil rights and racial justice organizations; LGBT equality organizations; health and disability organizations; faith organizations; and more. Open to All^® members are committed to building awareness and understanding about the importance of nondiscrimination—and to defend the bedrock principle that when businesses open their doors to the public, they should be Open to All^®. www.opentoall.com