ARC Family,

Today, I address you with a heavy heart. As I look around the city and country that I love so much, I see pain, fear, and confusion. I have never been quiet about my personal faith, and the path I walk, and I do not think that now is the time to shy away. The gospel of Matthew tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and right now this is a message the world needs more than ever.

Those of us who started this company believe that everyone was created in the image of God and has a right to the dignity, character, and quality of life espoused in our constitution. These are not American rights, they are human rights, and should be available to everyone equally, no matter your race, color, gender, or creed.

It is an unfortunate truth that racism is still present in our culture, but I want to be perfectly clear: those ideas are not representative of who we are as a company, how we conduct our affairs, or who we choose to do business with. We stand for equality and inclusion. We stand for universal love of our neighbors. We stand behind our black agents, clients, and communities.

Birmingham has a history that is blemished with violence and driven by change. We have come a long way since Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his powerful “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” but the road is far from over. In order to create change, we must first acknowledge that change is necessary, and those unaffected by the pains of injustice can no longer ignore its reality.

Christ taught us to lead by example, and as members of the ARC Family I ask that you embody the future you want to see. I love each and every one of you, and I look forward to working towards a better world together.

God Bless,

Tommy H. Brigham Jr.

Chairman of ARC Realty