Each year, Black History Month provides an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Black Americans and raise awareness of past and present struggles facing the Black community.
what was celebration once a week During the second week of February (which coincides with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln), Black History Month is celebrated today in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Ireland (and other countries) with a variety of events.
At WP Engine, an employee resource group, Rise (WP Engine’s employee resource group dedicated to providing a safe and open environment for BIPOC and allies), highlights important figures in black history. , commemorated Black History Month by organizing programming to talk about issues facing black people. community today.
WP Engine is committed to building a work culture that encourages employees to give their all in their work. It means that each aspect of identity, including all other parts, is welcomed and celebrated here.
One of the most important ways to celebrate employee diversity is with employee resource groups (ERGs). Our ERG is an opt-in group open to all employees that plans events and provides education to the larger WP Engine community. WP Engine currently has 8 ERGs available to employees.
- branch: It acts as a network of support that connects caregivers within WP Engine and helps them navigate the intersection of professional and personal responsibilities of being a caregiver.
- embrace: Provides advocacy and support for visible, invisible and chronic disorders and diseases.
- prosper: We aim to build an open and welcoming community where employees can seek and offer support. Educate and learn. We advocate for each other on the topics of mental health, neurodiversity and personal health.
- Hue: Provide a safe and open environment to promote, educate and advocate for LGBTQ+ people and their allies.
- open heart: Through philanthropy, fundraising and volunteerism, the group focuses primarily on health, hunger and education initiatives, working at the intersection of passions and community needs.
- refresh: aims to create a global community of people who want to make a positive impact on the environment by influencing change on an individual, local and global level.
- rise: Provide a safe and open environment to promote, educate and advocate for BIPOC and its allies.
- roar: Provide a safe and open environment to promote, educate and advocate for women in positions and industries historically viewed as undesirable or “less than”.
On February 23rd, WP Engine welcomed a Certified Executive Coach and DEI Consultant James C. Jones At the weekly city hall, he discussed unconscious bias.
Understanding the nature of unconscious bias and addressing it is critical to the success of any team, especially in the work environment.
![Headshot of guest speaker James C. Jones](https://wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2016-Jim-Headshot-2.jpg)
Employees in attendance discussed how our personal experiences shape the way we see the world, including the workplace. Jones specifically spoke about how unconscious biases impede our collective progress.
“If you have brains, you have prejudices,” said Jones. “Then we have to think that they might be getting in the way. With that, we are more likely to reach the powerful creativity we are looking for as an organization.”
He concluded his talk by reminding attendees that by being open to new perspectives and willing to check in with themselves and their assumptions, they can build closer and more honest relationships with those around them. rice field.
Throughout February, Rise leaders posed daily trivia questions on the group’s Slack channel to educate group members about important leaders in black history.
I have a few questions here. See if you know the answer! (Scroll down to find the answer to the trivia question at the end of this article).
Question 1: Who am I?
- Formed an a cappella group with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, and became the core of the famous band The Wailers.
- In 1976, I was shot two days before performing at a concert intended to defuse tensions between rival political parties. Even so, we were able to perform in front of an audience of 80,000 as planned.
- In 1978, he received the United Nations Third World Peace Medal.
Question 2: Who am I?
- I invented the induction telegraph in 1887, allowing people to communicate on voice-over telegraph lines.
- My induction telegraph was used to speed up communication and prevent train accidents. Patent purchased by Alexander Graham Bell.
- He improved the air brake system and trams, and came to be called “Black Edison”.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of reasons worth supporting this Black History Month. That said, WP Engine is close to our hearts he holds one organization.
As a company, we are committed to facilitating unconventional career paths for individuals who do not have many opportunities to enter the tech industry, especially those who do not have a college degree.
Code 2 College We share our goal of reducing barriers to entry into the tech industry for minority and low-income students. We have partnered with them in the past and appreciate the work they are doing to identify new talent and create unique professional development opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students. I’m here.
Whether you can donate money or spread awareness about causes close to your heart, consider supporting organizations such as: Code 2 College this year.
We would like to thank all of our employees who participated in this year’s Black History Month activities, especially the members of the Rise leadership who organized these wonderful events.
If you’re looking for a work environment where you can fully focus on your work, check it out. our open roles Apply to join our team at WP Engine!
So, check out the answers from the trivia question above.
- Answer to Question 1: Bob Marley
- Answer to Question 2: Granville T Woods
Did you get the answer? Let us know in the comments!