Black History Month Green Flags in the Workplace
By Jessica Wise
Happy Black History Month!
It’s no secret that corporations continue to live on the struggle bus when it comes to implementing a proper and effective Black History Month program. From performative “conversations” to the continued lack of Black leadership, these companies just don’t understand the assignment.
However, this article is NOT going to harp on that.
The red flag 🚩🚩🚩articles about how companies are fumbling BHM have been done to death. We get it. They suck.
In the spirit of keeping this month celebratory, we’re going to talk about the Black History Month GREEN flags that you hopefully will see in your work environment this year. These are the signs that your company is making proper strides:
*Disclaimer: Corporations, if you’re reading this thinking this article is going to make you and your majority white leadership comfortable, you are sadly mistaken. If anything, y’all should be taking notes. This is a list of green flags that we hope more Black workers can experience in their places of employment, 365 days a year.
Green Flag: Paying Black employees for any additional time they take to assist with Black History events.
These employees are taking time out of their already full workload to help other people learn and celebrate their month. Asking any Black person to perform unpaid labor for the benefit of the company would be a cruel irony to say the least.
Green Flag: Taking extra work done for DEI panels, boards, and events into consideration when it comes time for promotions and leading other projects.
A lot of companies don’t take into account the additional hours Black employees invest in company Black History projects. This is problematic. While these projects are often voluntary, at the end of the day, they benefit the company as a whole, especially since the company could be paying a diversity consultant whose job it is to conduct these affairs. Not to mention the emotional labor Black employees have to perform in order to deliver the message.
If your management is allowing your participation in DEI projects to be considered in your petition for a raise, promotion, or to take the lead on future projects, they’re doing right by you.
Green Flag: Having Black leadership in place before Black History Month begins.
Nobody wants to hear about how important Black History Month is from a leadership team of all white people, male or female. Having Black people in leadership, and having more than just a token, 365 days a year is the sign of an authentic company when it comes to diversity.
Green Flag: Getting started on a Black History Month plan before the last week of January.
A good program, for any celebration or initiative, requires taking the proper time and planning. A team needs to be selected, content needs to be planned, venues need to be booked, etc. When companies set the project up for success early on, that’s a good sign.
Got any more green flags? Let us know in the comments!
