#GMVoice Black History Month Feature: Nicole Simmons

Nicole Simmons (She/Her)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Communications

Corporate America has not always been an easy place to navigate, especially for Black women. Too often, Black women are placed in roles and left without the necessary tools to grow and develop in their careers.

When I decided to leave the public sector and once again reenter the private world at General Motors, I wanted to be in a space where I felt supported, valued and respected. I wanted to do work that was meaningful and impactful. Most importantly, I wanted to drive real change and produce real outcomes for those that have been marginalized and traditionally left out of corporate spaces.

To better understand this passion, you should first know a bit about my background. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, what I believe to be the greatest city in the world. I attended Detroit Public Schools and was a DAPCEP student, a program I’m so proud to see GM support. Throughout my childhood and well into my adult years, both of my parents battled with substance abuse issues, which presented its own fair share of challenges. I’ve witnessed firsthand how systemic barriers have prevented people like myself and others in lower socioeconomic classes from achieving success and upward mobility. Changing this reality has always been my driving force.

Despite the challenges of my upbringing, I was able to go on and become the first college graduate in my family. As a proud HBCU alum graduating from Clark Atlanta University, I pride myself in being a champion for other HBCU students and those at minority serving institutions. As a Black woman, I pride myself on being a champion for other women of color.

My culmination of my life experiences has shaped my love for storytelling. Everyone has a story and those stories deserve to be told. It’s our unique stories that bring us together as people, provide us better understanding and empathy and help us to live more equitably.

Now, as a Senior Manager within the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Communications team, I get to ensure those stories are told. Every day I work to share diverse stories in a way that’s thoughtful, culturally relevant and inclusive.

Though I’ve only been with GM a short time, one of my career highlights thus far has been leading our communications strategy and onsite support for one of the largest HBCU football games, celebrating HBCU’s and Black excellence and bringing together nearly seventy thousand attendees. This was a unique opportunity for GM to expand its reach and engage with a new audience within the Black cultural space.

We successfully hosted a group of DEI focused media representing national and local outlets for quite a memorable and impactful weekend in New Orleans, all centered around GM's commitment to HBCU students and the Black community. As a result, we were able to land earned media coverage in many respective diverse publications.

This is what drives me. Occupying new spaces, creating new pathways and sharing the stories of our DEI journey along the way. While traditionally Corporate America may have not been an easy space to navigate as a Black woman, my experience has been quite the opposite. While we still have work to do, I’m proud to work for a company that’s committed to getting diversity, equity and inclusion right. I’m proud to see myself in leadership and know that the possibility of me being an executive and senior leader is attainable.

I’m excited about continuing my career journey with GM and helping us on our mission to become the most inclusive company in the world. I also hope that the next generation of future leaders can see themselves in me and know that their stories matter, their voices matter and that no matter where they decide to take their career, they can show up as their full and authentic self.