Time for Change: Action Not Words

"How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.", echoed by Morgan Freeman , adding that, "Kindness is a gateway for all of us to connect and care for each other".

As a leader of an ERG in 贝克休斯 , planning & commemorating this year's #BlackHistoryMonth, meant echoing one message across our network & events at our respective UK sites - One random act of kindness.

Launching our event virtually on October 7, saw employees across different sites, race/ethnicity, gender or age come together to support the #BlackEmployeeNetwork(BEN) and listen to "The Power of Storytelling" for which i was opportune to present my journey through the company. One of the feedback received highlighted the aspect of kindness and an attitude of respect for all, making people feel welcome around you - treating them fairly. I remember my first day in Baker Hughes (19 Jan 2014), arriving the Dubai office and my then manager, Charles Williams CA(SA) , welcomes me at the door, saying, "...Bienvenue à Baker Hughes...". As a Cameroonian, this made me feel at home. How do you make interns, new joiners feel, when they join your organization? Is there a welcome kit for ALL regardless of where they come from?

Many employees go through organizations without actually connecting with what the company does. With a great increase of black/brown talented interns and young career/uni-graduates who joined us this year, October 12, was an eye opener for some, seeing how Baker Hughes is transforming the energy technology industry, by visiting our Europe Service Hub at Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, led by a formidable leader Nicolas Barrault and his team.

By October 14, the BEN had the opportunity to handover books worth ~￡1k to the St. Peter's R.C. Primary School Aberdeen. After a 6wk back to school drive, our members, allies and colleagues bought books written and/co authored by BAME authors across respective African/Asian countries, UK, the Caribbean Islands and US, as a way of given back/support to our community. As my Ghanaian brother, friend, and President of JCI Aberdeen, Cyril Bruce-Cathline, MBA will remind me in the JCI creed, "...Service to humanity is the best work of life..". This wouldn't have been possible without the help of our able BEN Scotland Lead TOMILOLA KAYODE- ADEDEJI MSC (PMP) (PMI-RMP) (PMI-SP) (CPIM)

For many people, discrimination is an everyday reality. How do we educate our community while encouraging open & honest conversations, bearing in mind the realities from both sides? Hence, through out the week from October 17, led by Thato Mafoko & Efomo Ogwu MBA, FCA , we had lots of edutainment in the form of a BHM/BEN Q&A session for our colleagues with our leaders ( Adora Igbokwe , Sally Okolo , Lynn Buckley & Seyi Bakare , Tuoyo Shackleton ) and an Africa-theme Trivia on how much we/our colleagues know about our beloved mama Africa while giving them the opportunity to ask those uncomfortable questions no one wishes to ask a black/brown employee. All in the spirit of Ubuntu - I am because we are.

In closing the commemoration and hoping action continues, the Grand Finale, took place at our Stoneywood/Nailsea facilities, bringing together employees from across different businesses, firstly to understand how we collaborate across ERGs, product lines/companies in visiting our ALS Zenith facility (thanks to Craig Robertson & his team). 2ndly, a fantastic arts exhibition by #Gagzi's Arts Ogaga Esharefasa coupled with a authentic lunch flavor from West/East Africa, garnished with African pastries provided by #CafeCreoAberdeen Veronica Akioya with a blend of African spices by Succulento Ltd .

The icing on the cake was the charge, inspiring and energetic 30mins session on this year's Black History Month theme, "Time for Change: Action not Words" presented by Bunmi Durowoju , Top 100 most influential BAME Leaders in UK Tech & a Snr.BD Manager 微软 . My words wont do her justice on what she brings to the table. Follow her on LinkedIn or Instagram for more.

From a young age, I have been determined to ensure people from my continent, come together to address the issues plaguing our lives, community and our continent. We/Allies need not wait for photo opportunities to work together for a common good. Hence the reason why, as I close, I wish to take this opportunity to appreciate our partners and sponsors through out this year 2022 – The Baker Hughes Surface Pressure Control (SPC) CFO Issam Hassan & Leadership for sponsoring the event, represented by Jerry O'Driscoll , Colene Woolcott , for her formidable marketing & communication skills, Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) represented by Ibim Diri , JCI Aberdeen , Creo Café, Succulento Ltd and many individuals who stepped up to partner with us. All photo credit goes to Rabi N. .

If Serving is below you, leadership is beyond you. We all need each other to stamp out discrimination, racial profiling, bullying, etc. in our communities and workplaces.

Let’s Walk the Talk.