Allyship In The Workplace

ALLYSHIP in the workplace✊🏿✊🏽✊🏾

I’ve been struggling to find ways to be an ally in the workplace as ‘just’ an intern. I’m not in a position of power, nor do I make hiring decisions, making me feel like I can’t influence much change.

However, last night’s session by Black Professionals In Tech Network (BPTN) gave great insights into how to be an active ally from ALL levels of the business:

🧑‍💻Independent Contributors & Interns:

- Create and engage with a diverse network through Employee Resource Groups, LinkedIn pages, Organizations.

- Bring POC from your network in front of your leaders.

💼Hiring:

- Actively seek out talented Black candidates from non-traditional institutions.

- Understand certain roles were designed to keep out POC, and be willing to change that.

📈Leadership:

- Reach out to the POC on your team showing your support.

- Be aware of the diversity on your team - if it’s lacking, then fix it!

- Mentor POC to help boost their chances of success.

🚀Starting a new company:

- Consider the board of the VC you’re getting funding from. Are they diverse?

- Actively seek out talented Black new hires from the beginning.

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Thank you Lekan Olawoye, Donna Alexander, and Greg Butler for your valuable perspective!

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See the full post here.