Prior to the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, John Esler said he was living blindly in a white, upper-class bubble, unaware of how generations of American history had adversely impacted communities of color. After Floyd died, John Esler said that bubble burst.
Now, John, founder of the Rhode Island home improvement firm Esler Cos., and his wife Jeanne Esler, a clinical psychologist, are dedicating their time and money to address systematic racism throughout the country through their Esler Family Foundation.
In Central Mass., the Eslers’ commitment is mainly playing out through the Entrepreneurship for All initiative, known as EforAll. The program offers guidance and funding for would-be entrepreneurs – with a focus on people from disadvantaged communities – to bring their business ideas through to fruition. The Eslers led the fundraising and rounded up major business players to serve on its board and as mentors.
Aside from EforAll, the Eslers’ giving has included $500,000 to the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, in order for the Worcester-based organization to bring on a president and CEO, the gifting of a study to the City of Worcester on how to improve property tax, and other undisclosed sums to organizations like Worcester Together, United Way of Central Massachusetts, Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Worcester Educational Collaborative, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and the Community Harvest Project.
The start of something big: John and I met at Gold’s Gym in a step aerobics class in 1993 and were married in 1995. We are both life-long learners and readers, yet also enjoy outdoor adventures such as boating, hiking, camping, and scuba diving.
