How to commemorate Black History Month

February is Black History Month! Here’s how you can celebrate this observance. 

⚠️ Pyn note to HR: Update this message to reflect any available events or ERGs.

What you need to know about Black History Month 

Black History Month is observed in the U.S. every February. The purpose of this month is to celebrate the achievements of the Black community and acknowledge the pivotal role they’ve played in U.S. history.

How to take action during Black History Month

Participate in open dialogue

We encourage our employees to take advantage of the following opportunities to engage in conversation about the experiences of the Black community in a safe, inclusive environment:

• [Example 1]
• [Example 2]
• [Example 3]

Be open. We also want to share general guidelines to help everyone have productive, respectful conversations with one other: 

• DON’T shame people for asking questions respectfully—this hinders vulnerability.
• DO create a safe space where people can learn, ask questions, and be open.
• DON’T put the burden of education solely on Black employees.
• DO share resources and help educate each other to the best of your abilities.
• DON’T avoid topics that seem ‘difficult’ to talk about. 
• DO embrace the discomfort and use the moment as a learning opportunity. Remember that feeling uncomfortable isn’t the same as being unsafe.

Educate yourself. We believe that learning about Black history can help you understand the challenges the community faces today and how that is influenced by our nation’s past. Here are a few resources to help you get started: 

• Books
• Podcasts
• Art and Culture

Self-reflect. Particularly for those who are not a part of the Black community, an important part of creating a better future is to understand what you, as an individual, can do to contribute to progress. So at some point during the month, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Am I contributing to a culture of belonging and inclusion at my company? How?
• Is there anything I can do to better support my Black colleagues? Have I asked them what they need from me? 
• Do I hold any unconscious biases about the Black community? If so, what am I doing about those biases?
• Am I demonstrating my allyship to the Black community by taking action against acts of violence, discrimination, or unfair treatment? 

Join our company-hosted events. We’re excited to host events that celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of the Black community! Here’s what’s happening over the next month:  

• [Insert event]
• [Insert event]
• [Insert event]

How to commemorate Black History Month year-round

We’re always finding ways to improve how we approach diversity, inclusion, and belonging at our organization—whether that’s re-examining our hiring practices or funding initiatives that we believe will contribute to a more equitable work environment. Here’s what we’re currently doing at @company.name to take action: 

• [Action 1]
• [Action 2]
• [Action 3]
• [Action 4]
• [Action 5]

Whether you’re an employee, manager, or executive, we invite you to help us with these initiatives or suggest additional ideas that we should consider. We also offer the following resources for our employees to take advantage of: 

• [Overview of ERGs, coaching programs, mentorship programs, etc]
• [Overview of training opportunities]
• [Overview of volunteering opportunities]