Sesame Place pledges to change its policies and procedures for employees following accusations of racism and a $25 million lawsuit, according to a report from TMZ.
The amusement park announced new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives Tuesday (August 9), which include anti-bias training, an updated onboarding process for new workers, and an education program to make all guests feel welcome regardless of identity.
People inside and outside the company will oversee the process, including Debo P. Adegbile, Joseph West, and Sadiqa Reynolds, all of whom have plenty of experience and expertise for this venture, according to reporters.
The outrage began when a Black mother posted a video online of a costumed Rosita denying her daughters any type of engagement while high-fiving and hugging white children. One of the girls is now isolating with her grandmother after being traumatized by the incident.
"THIS DISGUSTING person blatantly told our kids NO then proceeded to hug the little white girl next to us!" the parent wrote on Instagram last month. "Then when I went to complain about it, they looking at me like I’m crazy."
Although the company claimed what happened in the clip wasn't racially motivated, they've apologized to the family for the snub and vowed to change their approach to guest experiences.
Since then, many Black parents and parkgoers shared similar experiences at Sesame Place on social media. More incidents like this happened at other popular theme parks and family-friendly venues, like Disneyland, Chuck E. Cheese, and Legoland.
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