April 6, 2023
At WilsonHCG, we strive to foster an environment where all our employees feel respected, safe, supported and celebrated. This has been ingrained in our culture through our employee belonging groups (EBGs) and BRITE approach, which stands for belonging, respect, inclusion, togetherness and equity.
As the chair of the Black Wilson Network, one of WilsonHCG’s newest EBGs, I am proud of the positive impact our group is having in our company and in our community. Here’s a recap of all the events we’ve hosted in 2023 so far:
About the Black Wilson Network
The Black Wilson Network (BWN) provides support for the Black community at WilsonHCG (who self-identify as Black or African American) and promotes growth, success and retention of these employees across all job functions and locations throughout the company. This group has created a protected space for individuals to have a voice and feel included. It allows its members to show authenticity at work without fear of judgment. This group embraces differences, encourages allyship, and creates an environment where opportunities are equitable and exist across the organization.
Initiatives celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month (BHM) is an annual observance that celebrates and recognizes the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history. It first started in the United States in 1926 as a week-long observance but was expanded to a month-long observance in 1976.
While Black History Month is celebrated at different times of the year all over the world, WilsonHCG celebrated together globally during the month of February. The Black Wilson Network made it easy to celebrate BHM and foster community throughout the organization with weekly calls to action, a book drive and a virtual table talk.
Weekly calls to action
- February 1st-7th: Post about Black History Month on social media to spread awareness
- February 8th-14th: Support a new Black-owned business
- February 15th-21st: Donate to a Black charity
- February 22nd-28th: Learn about local Black history in your community
Book drive
To both give back to the community and support Black-owned businesses, the BWN hosted a book drive for three weeks. Employees were encouraged to donate to the BWN on Kudos®, an employee engagement platform that encourages peer-to-peer recognition. Donations were used to purchase children’s books written by Black authors. Employees also had the option to purchase books directly from the BWN’s Amazon wish list.
We raised $350 in Kudos points and donated more than 100 books to the Boys & Girls Club, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth to excel in school, realize their full potential, have a positive impact on the community, and prioritize their health and wellness. We hope this donation provides children with access to inspiring stories that celebrate Black heritage and culture while also teaching them about the importance of Black History Month.
Virtual table talk
To encourage meaningful discussion about race, the Black Wilson Network hosted a virtual table talk on February 22. During the table talk, a few members of the Black Wilson Network shared their personal experiences: Michael Taylor (Recruitment Consultant), Wendy Daniels (Recruitment Consultant) and myself. Topics included microaggressions in the workplace, growing up Black in America and police brutality. This event spread awareness about issues that Black employees in corporate America often face.
Reflecting on the call, John Wilson, CEO at WilsonHCG, said: “In all my years of leading people and hearing different stories, this call will stick with me for the rest of my career. I heard stories of people being treated differently in the workplace because of the color of their skin and how that leads to anxiety, fear and embarrassment. I want to make sure those things are not happening at WilsonHCG, because there is no place for that here.”
A workshop advocating for mental health
On March 28, the Black Wilson Network hosted a mental health workshop with guest speaker Zaneta Ellison, a licensed mental health counselor, certified life coach and the CEO of New Vision Behavioral Health Inc.
Some of the topics discussed during the workshop included:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotional intelligence
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
- Relationship management
- Stress-management
- Self-care
When it comes to self-care, it’s important to remember that self-care rituals should not drain your energy; instead, they should energize you. Additionally, if your self-care rituals haven’t been working lately, it may be a sign to try something new. Some self-care methods include journaling, counseling, meditation/prayer, going for a walk or run, doing some form of physical activity, connecting with friends and family who build you up, disconnecting from technology and taking a soothing bath.
Stay tuned!
This blog will be updated regularly to spotlight all the amazing events that the Black Wilson Network hosts throughout the year. In the meantime, we hope that you enjoyed learning about the BWN group. Please follow WilsonHCG on LinkedIn to stay updated on more events and future hiring opportunities.
