Black History Month All Year Around
Use Black History Month as a template to highlight the contributions of all the minority groups represented in an organization to boost corporate credibility with diverse communities and buyers
By EmployDiversity
It’s a shame that society and business celebrate Black History only once a year. Black history and the contributions of other diverse groups should be underscored year-around, as well. Many mainstream Americans, though, think that a month-long nod to the African-American experience is sufficient.
They believe the brief period (it is the shortest month of the year, after all) is just long enough for blacks to feel a part of a society built on the sacrifices of their ancestors. Mainstream Americans also believe a Black History month should suffice to assuage the ongoing indignities blacks experience on a daily basis. However, every minority groups’ history is made every day, a fact that needs to be reinforced in a consistent and concerted manner throughout the year.
Otherwise, Black History Month and other cultural “celebrations” are just so much PR puffery.
A Bit of Space
HR managers should assign resources on a continuous basis to highlight the contributions of the minority groups represented within their organizations.
Black History Month, then, is an excellent period during which to launch events and practices that can run the entire year for all the groups in the company. Hispanic Heritage Month (starting mid-September) is also a perfect period during which to launch an on-going program of cultural insight and celebration.
The benefits of operating cultural and historic campaigns of this sort are enormous. The most salient is the effect the activities will have on the recruitment and retention of diverse professionals.
Imagine: To be invited to interview in or work inside a company that highlights the place and contributions of one’s culture and that of others is an uplifting and supportive experience for diverse professionals. To see an ongoing roster of events and streams of communications that demonstrate the organization’s inclusiveness helps diverse professionals feel the business’s commitment to inclusion in a very real way.
Changing Channels
Some channels of culture that a company can maintain with little time and expense include:
Documentaries
During Black History Month, for instance, perhaps once a week, HR can block time in a conference room so staff can view short documentaries about black culture or short films created by black directors. The most effective films for helping mainstream audiences gain insight into the role African-Americans have played are those that highlight the contributions the group has made to the society at large.
Local Music Scene
Few breaks during the workday could be more refreshing than inviting staff to listen to local ethnic musicians. Such arrangements could be a win-win association for both organizations and performers: a gig in the lunch area could be a marketing boon to artists and an energizing way for employees to get to know the talent of their neighbors.
Invite a local academic or scientist to speak
Quarterly talks at the end of the workday presented by speakers-of-color and women on various topics of interest to staff could be uplifting and insightful. The topics could be scientific, literary, historical, or artistic. They don’t have to be related to the speaker’s ethnicity. The aim of the talks should be to excite and inform, and leave audiences feeling buoyant afterward.
Create a Culture Wall or Room
Set aside a physical space to bring to life the cultural contributions of blacks and other groups. Use photos, crafts, posters, and other creative media to tell positive stories about the lives and professions of African-Americans and other groups.
Social Media Matters
Curate a channel on the company intranet and public-facing social media about company goings-on that celebrates Black History Month and ongoing observances. Post photos of events your organization has hosted for staff and for the community. Highlight the contributions of staff-of-color and summarize their back-stories for co-workers, customers, and other readers to appreciate.
Organizations can use the momentum of inclusiveness they gain from celebrating Black History Month to reinforce their commitment to diversity and inclusion. They can roll the infrastructure of the cultural highlight into a continuous spotlight on the cultures and contributions of all the diverse groups represented in their companies.
Continual expression of the kaleidoscope of cultures that drives business signals to staff and customers that a company is healthy, stakeholder-driven, and ready to serve members of the community, no matter their heritage or beliefs.
