Uber Delivers on Black Lives Matter

Uber is taking a stand against systemic racism and calling out police violence with a new update.

Uber is introducing two new features in support of black-owned restaurants. Users in major cities across the United States and Canada will now see a banner advertising black-owned restaurants nearby. The car service is offering free delivery for any orders placed from these restaurants through the end of 2020, but black-owned restaurants have the opportunity to opt-out if they choose or recommend other black-owned restaurants not currently listed. 

Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emailed customers to announce the initiative, adding a pledge to offer discounted rides for passengers visiting black-owned businesses affected by the Coronavirus pandemic in particular. The vow arrives on the heels of Uber’s announcement to donate $1 million to the Center For Policing Equity and the Equal Justice Initiative in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Uber joins a slew of brands speaking out and donating to social justice organizations amidst protests, such as Nike, Yelp, and Ben & Jerry’s. Publicly supporting black-owned businesses could demonstrate Uber’s dedication to user preferences, which could in turn help the brand grow its audience, according to a Gartner report on the topic. 

Uber is making black-owned restaurants more accessible to users in the wake of social protests. By creating a straightforward approach to support black-owned businesses, the company could drive loyalty from customers looking for opportunities to support often overlooked brands during and beyond the Black Lives Matter movement.