Blacks at Microsoft celebrate 30th Anniversary
The Blacks at Microsoft Employee Resource Group celebrated 30 years of diversity and inclusion as part of Black History Month.
Microsoft says “we strive to create an environment that brings the power of diversity to life. Where people with different backgrounds and experiences thrive in both their professional and personal lives. Where we’re all able to channel our passions.“
Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) is a Microsoft Employee Resource Group with a mission to achieve a strong representation of Blacks at all levels of the company. Founded in 1989 as the first Microsoft-sponsored employee resource group. It is dedicated to supporting the continued growth and development of black employees and encouraging students to pursue a career in technology. It is also a community that provides its members an opportunity to learn, listen, grow, and network.
The Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) Employee Resource Group celebrated 30 years of empowerment. Hosting an Anniversary Gala, conferences, and speaker series across other Microsoft chapters.
The conference tracks conversations covering professional and personal development, social change and justice, and systematic education.
Speaking at this year’s Microsoft 2019 Black at Microsoft conference was Microsoft Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Capossela. Here is what he says about the community.
“Creating an inclusive community is a journey – one that I’m on as an individual, we’re on as a company, and so many of us are working towards as an industry. I’ve learned that it’s so important to understand someone else’s background and daily struggles to overcome our differences“.
– Chris Capossela, Chief Marketing Officer, Microsoft
Throwback
In celebrating 30 years of the group, Microsoft’s channel 9 caught up with some of the founding members. Take a look.
“At Microsoft, we have made the long-term commitment to build and sustain a culture that fosters an inclusive working environment. Which will enable our employees to do their best work and serve the diverse needs of our customers around the world. We also are committed to engaging in and advancing diversity and inclusion conversations in communities where we believe we can help empower people”. – Toni Townes-Whitley – President, US Regulated Industries at Microsoft.
One of BAM’s goals is to encourage black students to pursue a career in technology. Every year the community offers a Black at Microsoft scholarship. This year BAM will award two US$5,000 scholarships to outstanding high school seniors. Who are interested in pursuing careers in technology. Learn more about the scholarship here.
Some initiatives of the BAM community in Africa include the NexTech Africa conference and Africa to Redmond Hack for Africa program.
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Thank you for inclusion! My sons were blessed with the opportunity to attend the BAM 2019 this past week. It was a really awesome experience and you had their attention from the moment they arrived. Both were a fan of the coding segment. Proud to say my son Rakim won the Essay Contest. Look for the Cooper boys at BAM 2020. Thank You Microsoft! #blacks@microsoft