Insurance giant Mutual of Omaha announced that it is doing away with its logo that features a Native American.
The company announced the move on Friday, and it comes after the NFL’s Washington Redskins announced that it would be changing the name of its sports team amid growing social pressure. The Mutual of Omaha logo depicts a side-profile of a Native American chief wearing a headdress.
“We believe the decision to retire our corporate symbol is the right thing to do and is consistent with our values and our desire to help overcome racial bias and stereotypes,” said CEO and Chairman James Blackledge in a news release. “We feel strongly our logo should reflect who we are as a company and our commitment to positive change.”
The company also pledged an additional $1 million in “funding for community-based initiatives and non-profit organizations committed to racial equity, inclusivity, economic equality and social justice” on top of the $2 million it already donates annually to charities dedicated to those causes.
The Native American chief logo has been associated with the Fortune 500 company, which was founded in 1909, since 1950. In addition to Washington’s NFL team dropping its Redskins name, other companies have also recently announced changes. Aunt Jemima syrup said it would be changing its name and look, and Land O’Lakes announced it is retiring the Native American woman featured on its butter products.
