Black History Month is a great time to honor Black history and people, especially within your company - but it should not be a once-per-year exercise. We have seen amazing work happening over the course of February - let's keep the momentum rolling.

A number of employers have embraced celebrating Black History Month across their talent channels, and demonstrated how sharing stories from your team members is an ideal way to recognize their contributions. 

However, amplifying the voices of Black employees and addressing anti-racism should be a constant, and year-round element of your employer brand, infused throughout your culture content. It isn’t a single category or an annual nod. Just as your company is - or should be - increasing and improving its inclusion, diversity and belonging efforts, your content should follow suit. 

Show your audiences your commitment to equality by uncovering and sharing stories from a wide array of voices from all over your organization. And, communicate your company’s dedication to preserving Black history and playing a role in a better Black future through stories from your team members. 

To get you inspired, we’ve rounded up examples of innovative and employee-centric ways companies are celebrating Black History Month through stories. 

Capital One: Sharing stories of an immersive Black History celebration 

On its outstanding careers blog, Capital One shares stories of its large-scale, company-wide Black History Month campaign and celebration, entitled Forward. As Tina John-Marcel, Vice President of Design and Creative Director of the campaign, shares,

“After the events of 2020, it was important for Black associates to have an active voice in bringing ‘Forward’ to life. ‘Forward’ isn’t just another way for the company to acknowledge the contributions of Black people across the diaspora, it’s also a way to build and nurture a sense of belonging for Black associates at Capital One.”

Learn more about Forward on the Capital One careers blog. 

Dell: Honoring Black change-makers with the help of ERG members

As we share at length in our Dell Technologies global culture program case study, Dell Technologies shares stories of inclusion and diversity from team members all year long. In fact, it’s a natural topic when communicating your culture, like in Tiffany’s story, above. This year, Dell Technologies is celebrating Black History Month across their channels with the help of their Black Networking Alliance ERG members. All month long, these members will be sharing stories of Black innovators and how those change-makers have personally inspired them. Chief Diversity Officer Brian Reaves kicked it off on the company blog with his story of being personally helped and inspired by supercomputing pioneer Frank Greene. 

Read his story, and more, on the Dell Technologies blog.  

Peloton: Lifting up Black voices 

Peloton has been vocal in speaking out against racial violence and discrimination on its channels. And, they’re backing up their corporate statements through highlighting the stories of their team members. They’re asking Black@Peloton Employee Resource Group members what makes them feel seen inside Peloton and outside of work, too. Then, they’re sharing those stories throughout February on LinkedIn. From stories of great All-Hands meeting moments to Beyoncé yoga classes with Spelman sisters, the perspectives they’re sharing make an impact because they’re personal, specific, and have the elements of a story. 

See more stories on the Peloton LinkedIn page. 

Bayer: Amplifying a team member’s voice and accomplishments 

Bayer invited Kellie Adesina, Director, Government Affairs, Crop Science to share what Black History Month means to her as a Black woman, professional and team member. With candor, Kellie shares that she sometimes feels overwhelmed when asked to respond and help solve issues relating to race. However, she feels called to work towards greater diversity, inclusion and progress as a Black woman who has a “seat at the table” as a leader in the agriculture and food industry. In fact, she shares a photo of herself literally sitting at a table with the former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and more leaders at a Congressional event.

As part of that calling, she co-founded Black Professionals in Food and Agriculture (BPFA) and she shares that story. 

Read Kellie’s story on the Bayer Scapes Medium channel. 

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Recognize your Black team members in February, and especially the other 11 months of the year, by capturing their stories. Then, amplify their stories across all your channels. These stories will help show candidates and employees your real commitment to inclusion.