In honor of Black History Month, my colleagues from BLEVE (Black Employees at Veritas Empowered)—an employee resource group at Veritas that supports employees' professional and leadership development—shares what this month represents to us.
This is what Black History Month means to the BLEVE Family:
Akibo Watson | IT Business Analyst
Black History Month is a wonderful time for all of us to acknowledge the contributions of Black America to our collective success. This month I dedicate my time by giving back through community service and working with organizations that work to propel all of our people forward, ensuring an even brighter future.
Ameer Robinson | Customer Success Manager Public Sector
Black History month is important to me because it is a reminder of the contributions that African Americans have made in science, technology, literature amongst other things. The history of Black history month in itself is interesting if you look at its origins dating to 1926 with Negro History Week and to see it eventually expanded to Black History month in 1970.
Cassandra Anderson | IT Program Manager
Black History Month is significant to me because it is an opportunity to recognize and raise awareness of the numerous achievements that African Americans have made. We celebrate the innovative contributions that have impacted all our daily lives whether it be an improved ironing board, invented by Sarah Boone or a laser cataract surgery invention by Dr. Patricia Bath or even traveling into space, such as Dr. Mae Jemison, to name a few, I honor the accomplishments and the legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society.
Josepha Kingsley-Williams | Ethics and Compliance Lead
Black History Month is an occasion to appreciate the struggles of past generations for liberation and equality. It calls for a celebration of the contributions of those who came before us. It is also a focal period for recognizing and acknowledging contemporary Black Society's wide-ranging achievements and works covering and addressing themes of gender, sexuality, race, intersectionality, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The ‘1619 Project' by Hannah Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalist, has been one of the most defining works for me in this period as it effectively and creatively links the past to the present. The project, which has sparked robust debates, is a comprehensive collection of literary works that coherently charts and explores the history, contributions, and endeavors of African Americans and the Black Community in the United States from when the first enslaved Africans landed in the English colonies in 1619 to the present day. As the quote goes, "If you don't know your past, you won't know your future. If you forget about your past and you don't know where you came from, you won't know where you're going."
Most importantly, however, is for us always to remember to bring others along with us, "lifting as we climb, onward and upward."
Joel Kimpela | Account Manager
Black history month is a month to promote awareness of black achievements throughout our nation’s history. One person who comes to mind is George Washington Carver, famous for discovering the peanut. Today there are over 300 uses for the peanut. The next time you shave, fertilize your garden, or enjoy a good old-fashioned PB&J sandwich, remember to trace it back to a man who changed the course of history. In this month, in which we celebrate black history, let us reflect on the many black men and women who paved the way for generations to come.
Semira Abdu | Marketing Operations Manager
Black History Month is a time for reflection and celebration. It is a time to commemorate the influential people who laid down their lives for freedom, and an opportunity to rejoice in how far we have come while preparing for the work ahead.
At Veritas Technologies, members of BLEVE have committed to being changemakers, and we proudly do so by promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives within the Veritas community. If you are interested in learning more about Veritas’ commitment to DEI or joining our organization, check out: https://www.veritas.com/company/careers/why-join-us/diversity-and-inclusion.
