Lyft News

Supporting Communities of Color During the COVID-19 Crisis

Apr 16, 2020
The LyftUp logo.

Data shows that African-Americans face a higher risk of exposure to the virus as a result of disparities in access to healthcare and higher rates of working in essential businesses. Recent analysis found that African-Americans compose a higher percentage of workers in lower-wage industries more vulnerable to layoffs than the rate of the overall US population. Only 20% of Black workers reported being eligible to work from home, compared with about 30% of their White counterparts.

Inclusion and diversity are core to Lyft, and during this crisis, many in these communities have an acute need for transportation. This includes front-line workers, patients needing rides to critical healthcare appointments, volunteers helping deliver items to the most vulnerable, and families buying groceries and other essential items.

That’s why we are building on our existing LyftUp work with organizations around North America and announcing new efforts with leading national organizations that promote equity and economic opportunity for communities of color. For each of the organizations below, Lyft is providing free ride credit to help members around the country. By partnering directly with organizations that have long supported communities of color, we can continue to bring more equitable transportation options to communities when they need them most. We’re grateful to these organizations for their partnership in helping distribute credit to their members to access thousands of rides. 

The National Action Network, OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates, and the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging are using these ride codes to help volunteers deliver critical items like groceries and warm meals to those in need. 

“OCA is proud to partner with Lyft to bring essential goods and caregiving services to Asian American and Pacific Islander seniors and PPE to front-line workers. We are grateful to our corporate partners who have been stepping up to offer what resources they can to communities in need," said Ken Lee, OCA National CEO. "With chapters across the country such as New York City, Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Louis, we are thankful to utilize Lyft's aid in the direct services we are able to provide," said Thu Nguyen, Associate Director of Development at OCA

"Many Asian-American and Pacific Islander older adults are being impacted particularly hard by the COVID-19 crisis, and having access to reliable transportation is critical to their ability to not only feel comfortable moving around their communities but to get groceries and other critical items,” said Joon Bang, CEO, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA). “Because of our partnership with Lyft and the company's LyftUp initiative, elderly and at-risk individuals we serve in Seattle and Los Angeles can rest assured, knowing they will receive essential items." 

The US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Asian American/Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Asian American Coalition, and Black Women's Roundtable are distributing ride codes to help their members who are essential front-line workers get to work at businesses and medical centers. 

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Lyft to provide support for our Black Women’s Roundtable state-based networks to assist our members with much needed transportation assistance, especially during the Coronavirus pandemic our nation and world is enduring,” said Melanie Campbell, President & CEO, NCBCP and Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable. “Access to transportation in many urban and rural Black communities is a vital need for senior citizens and essential employees who are on the front lines providing services in healthcare, sanitation, grocery stores, food banks and so much more. We thank Lyft for providing this community service in these unprecedented and challenging times.” 

“The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) is excited to partner with Lyft to provide these much-needed complimentary rides during this crisis,” said Ramiro A. Cavazos, President & CEO, US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Many Hispanic and Minority-Owned Small Businesses have been impacted at this time and every resource helps. If some of our members are essential employees trying to get to work safely or trying to get a medical appointment quickly, Lyft is providing an important lifeline!”

"We are heartened by Lyft's willingness to provide NAACP branch members with ride credit throughout April," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP. "This charitable service during this critical time offers our members, specifically those that are still working to sustain their local community, support, and travel to essential destinations." 

The League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Urban League are providing their members with free ride credit to get to the grocery store, pharmacy, medical centers, and meet other essential needs. 

These partnerships are part of Lyft’s broader LyftUp initiative, our comprehensive effort to expand transportation access to those who need it most during these critical and unprecedented times. In recent weeks alone, we have partnered with over 500 organizations including the National Supermarket Association, The National Council on Aging, the New Orleans Public Schools, and many more to help communities meet their essential needs. We continue to work closely with elected officials, community leaders, and leading nonprofit organizations to address transportation needs in regions hardest hit, including New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Seattle. 

We are committed to doing our part. We will continue to expand our efforts through LyftUp in the coming weeks and months as we navigate this time.