#BlackHistoryMonth - Creating a path forward for the People Experience of the future
With Black History Month underway, it’s time to reflect and celebrate the achievements and the pivotal role Black communities have had throughout history.
For Black History Month, Unit4 will be sharing the impact organizations like iamtheCODE, led by the incredible Lady Mariéme Jamme, have had on women and girls from marginalized communities in Africa. In October 2020, we were fortunate enough to welcome Lady Mariéme to our X4U global event. Here’s the recording to the powerful interview with her talking about her journey from a humble and difficult upbringing to becoming a force for change. The purpose of her organization is to advance STEM and coding education for girls from underprivileged communities, because in her words, “we need to bring humanity back” and enable everyone with digital skills so that they can dream big. Watch the interview and be inspired!
This year, we will be supporting Black Girls CODE. This North America based initiative is devoted to getting Black girls into coding. By promoting workshops and after school programs, they hope to grow the numbers of women of color working in technology and give underprivileged girls a chance to become the masters of their technological worlds. While there is much to do in addressing under-representation, 2021 will be an important year of organizational collaboration to strip out bias, and reach non-traditional talent networks, focused on removing barriers to technology careers right across the industry.
As a global organization that is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, where everyone feels empowered to be their true authentic self, Unit4 continually looks for ways to make a difference. Through our Diversity4U program we look to educate and enlighten others. Through our CSR program we support disadvantaged and displaced youth to have a better future via partnerships like we have with iamtheCODE.
And, in 2020, we held our first annual Day of Reflection. A designated day for our people to spend time exploring their history and identity, connecting with their families and communities, and discovering differing viewpoints. This year our people will choose to take their Day of Reflection on July 9 or 12.
With the social and political unrest that was experienced throughout much of the world this past year, now, perhaps more so than ever, it’s important for us to better understand Black history, systemic racism, and to explore ways to open doors for those seeking opportunity without bias.
Self-education is key to understanding differing viewpoints, breaking down barriers, engendering compassion and driving positive change. For those that would like to learn more about Black history, here are a few resources:
- TED Talks: Insightful talks that offer fresh, thoughtful perspectives on Black identity.
- Oprah Magazine: Curated content for Black History Month
- Siya Kolishi, the first Black captain of the national South Africa rugby team shares his views on Ubuntu in this inspiring podcast.
- Blacks in Technology: A global platform for Black people in technology. They provide resources, guidance and challenge members to establish new standards of innovation.
Despite the positive steps that have been taken towards improving race relations during our lifetimes, Black History Month remains an important “beacon of change and hope that is still surely needed in this world,” as detailed very eloquently in this blog from the National Museum of African American History & Culture.
We welcome you to follow Unit4’s social media channels this month for inspiring content, including stories from our colleagues on what Black History Month means to them, like this one from Lisa-Moné.
