{"id":91811,"date":"2023-01-31T20:38:13","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T18:38:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/blog\/?p=91811"},"modified":"2023-01-31T20:38:13","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T18:38:13","slug":"black-history-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/blog\/black-history-month\/","title":{"rendered":"How to celebrate &amp; honor Black History Month in the workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Despite the best efforts of our nation, racial injustice at work is unfortunately still a reality. Many people in the United States and around the globe still face <\/span><b>unemployment and discrimination because of their racial identity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Thankfully, many organizations are beginning to focus on <\/span><b>building a diverse and inclusive corporate culture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to address these inequalities. One popular initiative is celebrating <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blackhistorymonth.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Black History Month<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in the workplace. This can be a great way to <\/span><b>promote inclusion and celebrate the power and resilience of the Black community<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With this in mind, we have put together <\/span><b>8 ways to celebrate and honor Black History Month 2023<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Hopefully, some of these ideas will inspire you to <\/span><b>take positive action this February and build on your existing DEI initiatives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-91588\" src=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27143322\/black-history-month-quote-300x144.jpg\" alt=\"Black History Month\" width=\"792\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27143322\/black-history-month-quote-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27143322\/black-history-month-quote-1024x491.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27143322\/black-history-month-quote-768x368.jpg 768w, https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/27143322\/black-history-month-quote.jpg 1447w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b><div class=\"js-toc toc\">\n<p class=\"js-toc-title toc__title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<nav id=\"fac_toc_nav\" class=\"js-toc-nav toc__nav\" aria-label=\"Table of Contents\"><ol class=\"toc__list toc__list--level-1\"><li class=\"toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"toc__link toc-link-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/blog\/black-history-month\/#black-history-month-overview\" title=\"Black History Month overview\u00a0\" data-target-id=\"black-history-month-overview\">Black History Month overview\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"toc__link toc-link-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/blog\/black-history-month\/#8-ways-to-celebrate-and-honor-black-history-month\" title=\"8 ways to celebrate and honor Black History Month\u00a0\" data-target-id=\"8-ways-to-celebrate-and-honor-black-history-month\">8 ways to celebrate and honor Black History Month\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"toc__link toc-link-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/blog\/black-history-month\/#black-history-month-summing-up\" title=\"Black History Month: summing up\" data-target-id=\"black-history-month-summing-up\">Black History Month: summing up<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div><\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>Black History Month overview<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The deaths of <\/span><b>George Floyd<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><b>Eric Garner<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and the subsequent <\/span><b>Black Lives Matter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> movement sparked a <\/span><b>global outcry about racial inequality<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. As a result, Black History Month gained a lot of attention. However, <\/span><b>Black History Month isn\u2019t a new concept<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. People have just become more aware of it since these racial inequalities have been brought into the spotlight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Let\u2019s take a look at where Black History Month began.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Black History Month takes its roots from <\/span><b>Negro History Week<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, an initiative that was launched by the writer and historian <\/span><b>Carter G. Woodson<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in 1926, who also founded the <\/span><b>Journal of Negro History <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and the <\/span><b>Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Woodson, who is recognized as the \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">father of Black history<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d, believed that education and awareness were the best ways to fight racial inequality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Negro History Week was adopted by many schools across the nation. However, most of these schools were located in primarily Black neighborhoods. Nonetheless, over time, the <\/span><b>demand for education in Black culture, history, and literature began to spread<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Black communities began establishing <\/span><b>Negro History Clubs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and new <\/span><b>ASALH branches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> around the country, and this helped Negro History Week gain a lot of traction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In 1934, President Roosevelt took an interest in the movement. He made an official declaration for \u201c<\/span><b>National Brotherhood Week<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d to be celebrated during the last week of February. After this, it didn\u2019t take long for progressive whites to join the movement. National Brotherhood Week grew more popular year after year. The week-long event eventually <\/span><b>evolved into Black History Month in 1976<\/b>. At this time<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, President Ford announced that the event would \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans throughout history<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Black History Month has been celebrated every February since.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>8 ways to celebrate and honor Black History Month<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The theme for Black History Month 2023 is <\/span><b>Black Resistance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. This theme reflects how African Americans have resisted <\/span><b>prejudice, discrimination, and oppression throughout history<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, especially in terms of lynching and police killings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, how does this relate to the workplace? <\/span><b>How can organizations celebrate Black History Month in a way that honors this movement? How can businesses educate the workforce on the resistance of Black Americans throughout history?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The key is focusing on the discrimination that many Black employees still face when it comes to employment. <\/span><b>As employers, we have a responsibility to eradicate discrimination from all aspects of our business practices, including biased hiring processes and performance management discrimination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. It\u2019s also our job to <\/span><b>raise awareness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of the issue and <\/span><b>nurture a corporate environment that is built on diversity, equity and inclusion for all<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are many different ways that you can choose to celebrate Black History Month in your organization. We have put together a list of some of the most popular initiatives. Our hope is that this list of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/blog\/human-resources-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Human Resources tips<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> inspires you to <\/span><b>create your own unique initiatives to celebrate and honor Black History Month 2023.<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>Support black-owned businesses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One way to celebrate Black History Month is by <\/span><b>supporting black-owned businesses in your local area<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. This is a great way to <\/span><b>invest in underrepresented minorities and get your employees and clients involved<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, you could <\/span><b>hold a team lunch or corporate event and get a local Black-owned restaurant to cater<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Or you could give your employees a <\/span><b>Black History Month gift bag with products sourced from Black-owned businesses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. If you\u2019re not aware of any in your local area, check out <\/span><b>WeBuyBlack <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online. WeBuyBlack is the largest marketplace for Black-owned businesses, and you can search for all sorts of products related to health &amp; wellness, games, and entertainment, among other things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In terms of your clients, you could <\/span><b>promote a #BuyBlack campaign through your social media pages<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to showcase Black-owned businesses in your community and encourage others to support them too.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Employee spotlights<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/blog\/employee-spotlight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">employee spotlight<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a form of published content that <\/span><b>promotes the successes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of one of your employees. Content usually includes their <\/span><b>history with the company, personal achievements, education and experience, and personal interests, plus any successes and challenges they\u2019ve experienced during their time at your company<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Put simply, it\u2019s a way of showcasing your employees that enables you to recognize their achievements and show appreciation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To celebrate Black History Month 2023, why not <\/span><b>spotlight one of your Black employees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">? This can be a great way to show your Black employees that you <\/span><b>value their contribution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. You can share a post about them internally. You could even share an external post through your social media pages (with their permission).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Donate to an important cause\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A great way to show your employees that you value diversity and care about Black History Month is by <\/span><b>donating to an important cause on behalf of the organization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Or you could even <\/span><b>organize a fundraiser to raise money to support racial justice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Donating money in this way can make a positive impact by providing relevant charities with <\/span><b>valuable resources that they can use to educate and raise awareness in society<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are a few <\/span><b>non-profit organizations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that you could consider donating to. All these NGOs work towards ensuring equal rights for the Black community.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Black Lives Matter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><b>Campaign Zero<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (nonprofits fighting against police brutality targeted at the Black community.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>The Sentencing Project<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (a research and advocacy center that seeks to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Black Girls Code<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (an organization that empowers young Black girls to excel in tech through mentorships and instruction)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>SisterLove<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (an AIDS and reproductive justice non-profit that focuses primarily on the health of Black women)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Trans Women of Color Collective<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (a grassroots non-profit that supports the promotion of trans and non-binary Black people in leadership roles)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Thurgood Marshall College Fund<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (a non-profit organization that supports and represents students from historically black colleges and universities)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>The NAACP Defense and Educational Fund<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (America&#8217;s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Alternatively, you can encourage your employees to <\/span><b>donate their time<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Volunteering with local non-profits that help the Black community can be a great way to <\/span><b>give back and raise awareness of the difficulties associated with racial injustice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Invite in a speaker<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many organizations celebrate Black History Month by inviting a guest speaker to talk to employees. This can be a great opportunity for someone to <\/span><b>share their insights and their experiences surrounding race and Black identity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Plus, promoting a diversity of voices in this way can be an excellent strategy for <\/span><b>helping employees gain fresh new perspectives on racial discrimination and social injustice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. With the right speaker, you can help to <\/span><b>develop empathy <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">on the subject and <\/span><b>create a platform for learning, inclusion, and understanding<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, especially if you have a predominantly White workforce.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are a large organization with a substantial budget, then you might consider inviting a notable figure from the Black community to <\/span><b>give a talk or host a panel discussion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. For instance, you could reach out to an <\/span><b>influential author or activist<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to talk about <\/span><b>race relations, civil rights, and other important topics relating to Black identity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Angela Davis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Feminist, social activist, professor &amp; writer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Dr Bernice King<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Minister, attorney, author &amp; daughter of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Bobby Seale<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Political activist &amp; co-founder of the Black Panther Party<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tommie Smith<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: World record-breaking gold medal Olympian &amp; civil rights icon<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Kimberle Crenshaw<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Civil rights advocate &amp; leading scholar in critical race theory<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Cornel West<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Philosopher, professor, political activist &amp; author of &#8220;Race Matters&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are a smaller business with a limited budget, <\/span><b>you can generate just as much interest and awareness by reaching out to local Black figures in your community<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. What matters most is the message that they transmit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Organize a workshop<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aside from inviting a guest speaker to your business, you could also organize a workshop for your employees. This gives them an opportunity to take a <\/span><b>hands-on approach and develop critical thinking skills that can help them understand the perspectives of others<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, you could hold a Black History Month <\/span><b>workshop focused on DEI and unconscious bias in the workplace<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. This can help your employees understand their own unconscious biases. It can also give them insight into how they may be affecting their colleagues and the wider community. Plus, because these events are collaborative, they can help <\/span><b>build team spirit and break down barriers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Invest in and prioritize DEI training all year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The best way to <\/span><b>raise awareness of racial inequality and create a diverse and inclusive working environment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is by offering all your staff <\/span><b>regular DEI training<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Don\u2019t just offer this training during Black History Month, though &#8211; make it one of your <\/span><b>core <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/blog\/dei-initiatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>DEI initiatives<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, <\/span><b>we\u2019re all guided by unconscious bias to some degree<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. We unknowingly make assumptions about people based on unconscious thought processes. We pick up these stereotypes from our <\/span><b>childhood, society, media representations, and life experiences<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. And because they\u2019re so deeply ingrained in our worldview, they can be difficult to recognize. This makes them arguably more damaging than conscious bias, which is easier to identify and eradicate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unfortunately, these unconscious biases can be very problematic in the workplace. They can influence your hiring practices, employee performance and development, and your overall corporate culture. <\/span><b>The best way to address this is by offering unconscious bias training to help your employees identify, understand, and correct their own biases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You could even take this a step further and <\/span><b>establish a DEI committee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at your organization. This will show your entire workforce that you are <\/span><b>dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that strives to eliminate discrimination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Collect and analyze your DEI data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We\u2019ve talked a lot about diversity, equity, and inclusion, but we are now going to expand on the importance of <\/span><b>tracking and analyzing your DEI data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The only way to understand the make-up of your organization and the impact of your DEI initiatives is by <\/span><b>measuring your progress towards defined diversity objectives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. And this is precisely what <\/span><b>DEI metrics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> do. Analyzing these metrics regularly can give you <\/span><b>valuable insights that help you make better-informed decisions about your workforce based on data and feedback<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you\u2019ve defined your metrics you need <\/span><b>access to the right tools to track and analyze your data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. The best solution for this is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/blog\/dei-dashboard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">DEI dashboard<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. A <\/span><b>DEI dashboard<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, such as the one included in Factorial\u2019s HRIS, is a <\/span><b>centralized interface that gives you a visual representation of the impact that your diversity, equity, and inclusion practices have on various KPIs in your business<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Why DEI data matters\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are many reasons why DEI data is so important.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are just a few examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Having access to clear data helps you <\/span><b>establish your current level of diversity, equity, and inclusion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. You then have a benchmark to work from and a clear method for measuring your <\/span><b>progress towards your established DEI objectives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. For example, the right data can help you determine if you are building an <\/span><b>inclusive culture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. You can also identify <\/span><b>whether your hiring practices are fair and if all candidates have equal opportunities, regardless of race<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. What\u2019s more, if you use a DEI dashboard to manage your data, you can centralize all your metrics and get instant access to <\/span><b>clear visuals about your progress towards diversity, equity, and inclusion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tracking your DEI data <\/span><b>helps you stay compliant<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. There are a number of laws in the U.S. that protect employees from workplace discrimination. These include <\/span><b>The Civil Rights Act<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and <\/span><b>The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. By maintaining accurate records of your workforce demographics, you can ensure that you are not <\/span><b>knowingly or unknowingly creating an environment that fuels discrimination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">DEI transparency helps you <\/span><b>build a positive and diverse company culture based on equal opportunities for all<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. It can also help you create a safe environment where your employees feel <\/span><b>valued, supported, heard, and understood<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. And this is a highly effective way to build a <\/span><b>motivated and engaged workforce<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/ebooks\/diversity-metrics-ebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-75503 \" src=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/08101625\/diversity-metrics-ebook-banner-2-300x103.jpg\" alt=\"diversity-metrics-ebook\" width=\"752\" height=\"258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/08101625\/diversity-metrics-ebook-banner-2-300x103.jpg 300w, https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/08101625\/diversity-metrics-ebook-banner-2-768x263.jpg 768w, https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/08101625\/diversity-metrics-ebook-banner-2.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><b>Make it a year-long initiative<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Finally, don\u2019t limit your focus on DEI to Black History Month. Instead, strive to make it <\/span><b>a year-long initiative where you continuously promote the importance of nurturing workplace diversity and inclusion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. No matter how much you raise awareness of discrimination, there is always room for improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conduct <\/span><b>regular DEI surveys<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to find out how people are feeling. Do employees from minority groups feel valued and included? Do they have any recommendations for making your business more inclusive? Are there any behaviors that make them uncomfortable?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You could also establish an <\/span><b>Employee Resource Group<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to promote inclusivity and give employees from minority groups a voice. This will help you keep your employees engaged. That way, you are all working towards a shared, long-term goal of inclusivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ultimately, the more you keep your finger on the pulse of these matters, the easier it will be to <\/span><b>build a genuinely diverse and inclusive culture all year round<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Black History Month: summing up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We hope that today\u2019s post helps inspire you to celebrate Black History Month in your organization. Whether you launch a big event or roll out a series of smaller initiatives, these activities will help you <\/span><b>raise awareness of the importance of promoting racial equality and eradicating discrimination in the workplace, and beyond<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. And this, ultimately, is what Black History Month is all about.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With the right approach and the right level of participation, <\/span><b>these initiatives will teach your employees that you value diversity, equity, and inclusion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. And this, in turn, will help you build a <\/span><b>more cohesive and collaborative team of happy and motivated employees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Happy Black History Month to all!<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite the best efforts of our nation, racial injustice at work is unfortunately still a reality. Many people in the United States and around the globe still face unemployment and discrimination because of their racial identity. Thankfully, many organizations are beginning to focus on building a diverse and inclusive corporate culture to address these inequalities.<a href=\"https:\/\/preproduction.factorialhr.com\/blog\/black-history-month\/\" class=\"read-more\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":91814,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[348],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-91811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture-engagement-2"],"acf":{"topics":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.5 (Yoast SEO v21.9.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to celebrate &amp; honor Black History Month in the workplace | Factorial<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Black History Month activities to help your business celebrate this February and raise awareness of DEI and anti-discrimination practices\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to celebrate &amp; 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