Honoring Heritage and Progress

Marc Woodard's Reflection on Black History Month

Marc Woodard is the Director of IT Applications based at the Quanex Akron office. Marc is a breath of fresh air around the office, and his co-workers enjoy engaging with him on several levels. His technical knowledge and skill base help keep our plants up and running. His positive outlook and spirit-filled personality keep everyone laughing and smiling. In honor of Black History Month, we sat down with Marc to capture his insights on the moth, what his African American heritage means to him, and how it shaped the person he is today.

Black History Month is integral to modern culture and means different things to different people. What does the month mean to you as an individual?

To me, Black History Month is a time to celebrate achievement, resilience, and the progress of history despite the challenges my ancestors had to endure. It's a time to reflect on and acknowledge the stories of my family, including my grandmother and my mom, and everything that exists in our communities.

Quanex has a very diverse workforce, and it is important to educate our employees on the different cultures from which we come. What do you want people to understand about Black History Month?

Ultimately, I want people to acknowledge it. I also want people to understand it's not about focusing on past struggles but on current and future achievements. Black and brown people have made a lot of contributions to this country and the world. There are notable achievements in art, science, politics, and sports. A lot of the things we take for granted as a society, a black person had had a hand in creating or developing – GPS technology, hair products, heart transplants, and the types of foods we cook. If Black people have done nothing more, Black people have always found healing through creating and disseminating art when it mattered most and was needed most. We aren't just survivors but creators and generators of our freedom—even when faced with trauma. The black culture brings us together in many areas, like food and cooking. Whenever there's a visit to someone's house, you can count on food or a meal to bring us together. A traditional African American dish, Hoppin' John has been a New Year's Day staple in the United States for centuries. We eat it on New Year's Day to bring health and happiness in the new year. If people want to honor this month, I implore them to take a moment to sit back and not only honor the past but really focus on what the future could look like. How we contribute, plan, and celebrate will determine our future.

Everyone has different inspirations in their lives. What or who has been your biggest inspiration?

That is easy, my grandmother and mother. My grandmother only had a fifth-grade education. My mother didn't graduate high school, and despite that, they both were giants in our family, setting the standard by which everything has been achieved. My grandmother raised nine children, of which two were from her deceased daughter, and my mother raised five children as a single parent for most of her life. Raising that many kids on your own is hard work, and not only did they do it, but they also raised us to be outstanding citizens. Due to their circumstances, my grandmother and mother weren't afforded the opportunities their children were. Still, their children stand on their shoulders because they prepared us to live with others and contribute to society. They taught us that giving up was not an option and created and ensured that we had a solid foundation. A goal of black society is to ensure that the next generation lives better than the ones that came before. Because of my grandmother and mother, I can do the things that bring joy to me.

We know that tradition is important to black culture. Do you have any favorite traditions?

Thanksgiving is important to me and my family. It is a time when life slows down, and 15-20 of us come together to cook, laugh, and share the joy of the holiday. Then, during the meal, we go around the table, and everyone says what they are thankful for. One thing I love about my family is that everyone knows our doors are always open on holidays, and anyone can stop by and join. No invite is required.

Heritage and culture play a huge role in people's lives. What about your heritage stands out?

At Quanex, our tagline is "A Part of Something Bigger." For me, that's what it's like to be part of the black community. Black History Month is one month out of twelve, but the black community is united every day. Our sense of community is what connects us. Others might not know or understand what we are doing, but other black people do, and that means something. We are all part of something bigger than ourselves.

You have worked at Quanex for a little over two years. What is your favorite part about working here?

Quanex has been a great place to work. I appreciate working for a company that doesn't base hiring decisions on how an employee looks or the color of their skin, they base it on what the employee can bring to the table. Just like my ancestors paved the road for me, I am paving the road for the next generation who join Quanex.

Do you have any other parting words to share with us?

Most people don't start their IT career thinking about working in manufacturing. Manufacturing can be very strenuous, and plant environments can be challenging. When I look at the culture at Quanex, it's the opposite. The people are so nice, and everyone is so helpful. Our plants have so much diversity that you are bound to meet someone from a different culture, and they are so willing to share their story. The employees at Quanex really live the A Part of Something Bigger tagline, from connecting with each other to connecting with vendors and customers, and to me, that is important because if you don't like the people you work with, it can make the days very long.

Thank you, Marc, for sharing your insights and experiences in honor of Black History Month. Your positive energy, laughter, and spirit have made a lasting impact on our office culture and we are grateful for the joy you bring to everyone around you. Your comments serve as a reminder to us all of the power of community resilience, and celebration, and we're proud to have you as a part of the Quanex family.