Celebrating Diversity: Black History, like DEI, is a call to action.

February marks the month-long celebration of Black History Month in the U.S. and Canada. In Ireland and the United Kingdom, it is observed in October.? These months present an excellent opportunity to delve more deeply into interesting historical facts related to important people and events influenced by and impacting people of the African diaspora across all nations globally. In fact, it is a great time to find more resources about events in the U.S. or the U.K. or to take a journey across the globe.

Several companies continue to find a multitude of ways to celebrate Black History Month in the U.S. and beyond. Yet, as pointed out in this HBR piece by Nani Vishwanath , while recognizing a month on Black History is good for celebrating often unknown or under-acknowledged historical events (as well as current contributors and milestones), a better approach is to move beyond the calendar. Emphasizing Black History, globally, needs to be done on a consistent basis. The focus also needs to be both on the recognition of undervalued contributions and on the acknowledgment of systemic injustices. Black presence needs to be re-centered continually, along with other marginalized voices and identities, if we are to truly do the work of equity and inclusion.??

A continual commitment to showcasing important events, as well as to conveying transparency in the ways efforts and organizations have further work to do is a recognition of the importance of all identities and their cultural contributions.? Also, as pointed out in a recent Forbes article by Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D. , awareness, and education both need to be delivered in specific ways that help to center all voices and perspectives in DEI. For instance, when learning about racialized experiences, it is important to invest in educators, speakers, consultants, and practitioners whose work builds on these very specific forms of oppression and marginalization. We must ensure that educators and facilitators are those who are part of the communities in that their work and education are focused. Bring in speakers who can speak to intersectional issues like colorism and the Black trans experience. Center the needs of those most marginalized. This is the way to honor history band create new legacies.?

So, while we recognize Black History Month, we must also commit to ensuring that this recognition is not an end in itself - recognition does not demonstrate a commitment to DEI. Instead, it is really just another mechanism for education, awareness, and opening up uncomfortable acknowledgments about inequities, and sometimes controversial conversations about injustices.?Black History, like DEI, is not a solitary event or state of being, it is a call to action.

This is how we show up to do the work that matters most!