December is usually the time of year for reflections.
Last night, I found myself reflecting on my last nine (OMG) years at Amazon. While I have accomplished a lot in my various roles, from vendor management to product management, I am most proud of the work that I have been able to do for my community through the Black Employee Network (BEN). Showing up for my community is that the heart of who I am.
Affinity Groups play a significant role in shaping company culture and influencing how customers view the company. I had the honor to lead BEN with amazing people over the years. I joined the BEN Board of Directors, or BEN Board for short, in 2017 as the Networking Director. My vision was to carry the work done by Rovina Valashiya to grow BEN’s impact inside of Amazon, and start to make BEN an external facing organization. I carried this vision into my role as the President of BEN in 2019. Below are some of things that I am the most proud during my tenure with BEN. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish half of the things that I did without my amazing board. I am forever grateful for them.
Accomplishments
Below are some of things that I am the most proud during my tenure with BEN. I selected nine to reflect my nine years at Amazon; BEN has a long list of achievements that include work done by BEN chapters around the world. Personally, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish half of the things that I did without my amazing Seattle based board. I am forever grateful for them.
The inaugural Black ERG Cross-Company Holiday Party in Seattle. Jasmine Farrar and I cofounded the holiday party in December 2017. The inaugural party brought together 350+ professionals from different companies including Microsoft, Facebook, Boeing, and Nordstrom. It helped foster community beyond our respective companies. The holiday is now an annual event where the host company rotates each year. I may be biased, but there is no party like a BEN party. 😊
BEN Startup Week. Jasmine Farrar and I ideated and launched BSW in three weeks off the side of our desk. The original idea was to create a “Black Tech Week.” As Seattle Startup Week events were announced we identified an opportunity to highlight Black businesses and provide creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals with resources to grow their business. BSW includes intentional programming, guest speakers, and networking that builds community among likeminded creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Each year BSW grows with more speakers, free content, and sponsors.
Amazon’s first Black Excellence Gala hosted by BEN. We wanted to host a gala that gave back to the community where Amazon is based. The gala provided $10K+ scholarships to organizations that are dedicated to STEM education for Black youth. The gala was hosted in downtown Seattle and included executive speakers from Amazon Web Services and WW Operations. I am excited for bring a gala back to the city next year!
Pan-Amazon Flag at HQ. At the end of January 2020, I approached Ian Wilson, VP of AWS HR, with the idea to raise the Pan-African flag at Amazon’s HQ. Ian connected me with Elizabeth Nieto, and together with Elizabeth and Jaci Anderson, we were able to have a flag raising ceremony 2 weeks later. The inaugural ceremony included speeches from Ian Wilson, Brian Olsavsky, CFO, and Beth Galetti, SVP, People Experience & Technology. It was featured in the Seattle Times.
Grants for Black businesses. The COVID pandemic had a devastating impact to businesses around the world. I tried to do my part by ordering from Black owned and small business during the pandemic but that didn’t feel like enough. To make a bigger impact, I led the effort to provide grants to Black businesses that BEN planned to partner with that were impacted by the pandemic.
Amazon’s $27M Donation. In June 2020, Amazon announced they were donating $10M to organizations focused on combating systemic racism. BEN worked with leadership to create an employee matching campaign and helped identify the 12 organizations to receive the initial $10M grant. BEN chapters received to fund local organizations in communities where Amazonians live and work. You can read the Amazon blog here.
Global Town Hall with Amazon CEOs. In July 2020, I hosted a global town hall with Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon, and Jeff Wilke, former CEO of Amazon WW Consumer. The town hall was an opportunity for employees to hear directly from our leaders. The CEOs answered questions submitted by employees and detailed Amazon’s commitment to Black employees.
BEN Rise Program. In 2017, BEN sent a professional development survey to BEN members to understand what they felt they needed to grow their career. A major of the responses highlighted the need for sponsorship and career planning. I presented a proposal to Jeff Wilke for a leadership program for Black employees in response to the survey. In Q1 2021, the BEN Rise program formally launched which leverages the power of connection, coaching, and informal sponsorship to accelerate the success of future Black leaders at Amazon. Several leaders from the cohort have been promoted to director roles! Thank you LaDavia, Ian, and Erica Lerro for your support!
BEN Scholarship. In 2021, Amazon launched the first BEN Scholarship. The scholarship was geared towards high school seniors that planned to continue their education, and pursue a computer science (CS) or supply chain-related field of study. Recipients of the scholarship received $5,000 per year, for four years, towards college tuition, plus a connection to industry mentors within BEN.
Conclusion
This is just a fraction of the impact that BEN has made on the community. It underscores the value of employee resource groups. Many ERG leaders take their roles seriously and are committed. Its important to support them by providing them with a seat at the table, proper resourcing, and grace, as it is often not their day jobs.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below! 😊
