Let’s keep it a #Movementnotamoment

It has been heartening to see the widespread recognition of Black History Month this year. I wanted to draw attention to the barriers that employees of colour experience all year round as they seek to progress in their careers, and some thoughts on what we can all do to help.

Research from the Center for Talent Innovation shows that all employees of colour are less likely to experience sponsorship relationships – a key driver of career progression. Sponsors gravitate towards those who are more like themselves. This often perpetuates status quo in leadership pipelines. Women are hit particularly hard here. McKinsey’s research shows that women of colour only represent 3% of c-suite roles. They also face more microaggressions in their everyday. Finally, women of colour have felt less safe asking for work-life balance-related support during the pandemic.

Words and posts aren’t going to fix this cycle - actions big and small are needed. At BMO, we’re working hard to walk the talk and to break the cycle of inequality. We recently launched our Zero Barriers to Inclusion action plan. In Wealth, a key pillar of our plan is a sponsorship program tailor-made for historically under-represented groups - Black, Indigenous and Latinx - with leadership aspirations. Individuals will be matched with a senior leader in our Wealth Management team. I was proud when every member of our leadership team immediately put up their hand to act as sponsors.

I’m hopeful that as a society we’re at the starting line of an overdue end to a centuries-long cycle of inequality and injustice. This is going to take a marathon, and recognition of the Black community’s contributions should not be limited to one cold month. It will take us acting all year to make a lasting difference. Sometimes this requires proactive action like a sponsorship program. Other times it’s taking that extra moment to check our inherent biases, say when hiring or evaluating talent, or asking the question of why there are no diverse employees on a leadership slate.

I’d love to hear what you are doing to make this a #movementnotamoment.