At Stryker, we are proud of the work we are doing to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace for all. February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of the rich history and important achievements of Black Americans, Canadians and the entire African diaspora.
To kick off the month, we asked some of our employees how they plan to celebrate, educate themselves and continue to push for racial equity—both in and outside of work. Here’s what we heard.
1. Join or create a Black employee resource group
If your workplace has an employee resource group for Black employees and allies, such as Stryker’s African Ancestry Network (SAAN), consider joining. SAAN is made up of employees whose mission is to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion and make Stryker a career destination for Black employees.
If your workplace doesn’t have an employee resource group for Black employees, Black History Month is a great time to work on creating one.
2. Host or attend an event
Black history events are held on both a national and local level during the month of February. Finding an event should be easy with the use of social media, local news and word of mouth. At Stryker, our African Ancestry Network is hosting weekly events throughout the month with opportunities for all our global employees to learn more and get involved.
3. Educate yourself: Read a book or attend diversity awareness training
Understanding a problem is the first step to solving it. There are lots of great interactive materials that educate about how society shapes race and the many different racial experiences within society.
Reading is one of the best ways to gain new perspectives. Hosting (or joining) a book club is a great way to find Black authors and experience diverse viewpoints. Book clubs do not need to meet in person to be successful – video calls to discuss the book are just as impactful.
Plan or attend diversity training for Black History Month. Trainings with meaningful content emphasize your commitment to creating an inclusive workspace. At Stryker, we champion a program on unconscious bias to help employees recognize their own biases and overcome them. If you’re planning a training, make sure to make an on-demand option available so all employees can participate if they aren’t available for the live event.
4. Support Black-owned businesses
Supporting Black-owned businesses is an excellent way to celebrate Black History Month. Buying directly from Black owners and entrepreneurs helps close the racial wealth gap, empowers local communities and creates additional jobs and opportunities.
5. Volunteer or donate
Another great way to celebrate Black History Month is to either donate time or money to nonprofits that serve and empower the Black community. Find a cause that resonates with you and consider giving back.
6. Have fun and get creative!
Black History Month is a celebration, so get together with your friends and colleagues and tap into your creative side. For example, you could hold a t-shirt design contest, with the winner having their design printed on shirts for your employees. You can even turn the contest into a fundraising effort by charging for the shirts and donating money raised to a nonprofit benefiting the Black community.
7. Continue the celebration
With so much to learn and accomplish, why contain the celebration to just 28 days in February? We hope you’ll be able to take items from this list and implement them into your daily lives—and continue to make a difference throughout the year by honoring the history and achievements of Black people in America and throughout the world.