Airbnb Enlists Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to Battle Discrimination
Skift Take
Hiring Holder is a smart move and it shows Airbnb is finally taking some crucial steps to address discrimination on its platform. The next step? Figuring out if there are some tangible tech or design solutions that can back up the creation of a new anti-discrimination policy.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky announced the appointment of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to help the alternative accommodations provider "craft a world-class anti-discrimination policy."
Fighting discrimination is the biggest challenge facing Airbnb, Chesky recently said during a Fortune technology conference.
In a statement released by Airbnb, Holder said, "I'm looking forward to working with Airbnb to develop and implement a world-class anti-discrimination policy. Airbnb is committed to building a community where everyone can belong, no matter who they are or what they look like. I'm eager to help them craft policies that will be the model for companies who share Airbnb's commitment to diversity and inclusion."
Bringing Public Policy and Civil Rights Experts Into the Conversation
In his new role at Airbnb, Holder will work with John Relman, a civil rights lawyer and fair housing expert, Chesky noted. His hiring is just the latest in a string of appointments Airbnb has recently made to address this specific issue.
In June, Airbnb hired Laura Murphy, former head of the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington, D.C. legislative office as an outside advisor. In March, the company hired Peace Corps director David J. King II as its first director of diversity and belonging.
Also in June, Airbnb's head of public policy, Chris Lehane, along with Murphy, scheduled a meeting with civ
