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Whippany-based Bayer has signed on as a supporting company to a group of associations looking to address the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ascend, a nonprofit Pan-Asian membership organization for business professionals and executives in North America, launched the consortium with Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), Catalyst, The Conference Board, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), National Organization on Disability (NOD), Out & Equal, Tanenbaum and more than 90 supporting companies.

On Thursday, Ascend called for its members, partners and associates to affirm its 5-Point Action Agenda:

• Promote Inclusion: Advocate for a diverse and inclusive workplace and society
• Raise Awareness: Highlight the unique impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups
• Denounce Bias: Encourage individuals to report virus-linked discriminatory acts against Pan-Asians and other targeted groups and communities in the workplace and in public
• Support Communities: Contribute time, knowledge and/or other resources to aid front line workers, COVID-19 victims and families
• Give Donations: Provide funds and/or other resources to support vulnerable populations of people and impacted businesses

Ascend said that its ten organizations advocate for members of underserved communities that are particularly vulnerable to public health crises and economic downturns.

In a statement, Ascend said: “Together, we pledge to combat stigma, biases associating Pan-Asians with the novel coronavirus, and all forms of discrimination based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation and veteran status.”

Each of Ascend’s organizations has delivered COVID-19 programming including educational webinars and Executive Town Halls, employee resource group support programs, engaged in fundraising efforts to support front line workers and to procure personal protective equipment, and published resource guides to assist diverse groups.

Additionally, Ascend said it is working with key CEO-driven coalitions, such as CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, to advance awareness and education of virus-linked bias at the highest levels of the business community.