Celebrating Black History Month at Panasonic
Celebrating Black History Month at Panasonic
Throughout the month of February, we remember the sacrifices and celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans and Black Canadians throughout history.
In partnership with the BLAAC Employee Network (BEN), one of Panasonic’s five employee-led Business Impact Groups, we’re celebrating the contributions of our Black employees, as well as supporting the Black leaders of tomorrow through a special reading volunteerism initiative.
“As we recognize the contributions and accomplishments of those who came before us during Black History Month, we are thankful for the shoulders we are standing on and filled with a desire to pay it forward,” shares David Williams, Senior Sales Manager, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company and BEN co-chair.
Learn more about what Black History Month means to members of the Panasonic team, as they share their perspectives below.
“I have a refrigerator magnet that says, “Every month is Black History Month”. For me that means celebrating our history and building on it every day. I’m fortunate that my father instilled the importance of knowing Black history in me very early in life. He showed us what we could become because he made sure we knew how much Black Americans have achieved and quite frankly, he was a living example. For me, Black History Month means celebrating the resilience and courage of Black Americans. We stand on the shoulders of giants so it’s important to keep their memories alive and build on their legacies. - Afiya Jordan, Assistant General Counsel, Panasonic North America
“I was so glad to see the creation of the BLAAC Employee Network here at Panasonic and wanted to support in any way that I could. BEN provides our leadership team with different perspectives of workplace experiences that may not normally be shared or communicated. You need a channel to receive diverse feedback to start driving real change and increasing understanding.
Black History Month provides a chance to demonstrate and reflect on how African-American contributions are a fundamental part of America’s success story, not merely supplemental.” - Michael Ferguson, Director of Engineering, Panasonic Automotive Systems
“It has always been important to me to shine a light on social injustices in the world. Panasonic’s BLAAC Employee Network creates a space to have open and honest conversations about the work that needs to be done in our communities as well as the workplace.
Black History Month is not only a time to reflect on past generations and what they did to pave the way, but to think about how we’ll make the future better and more inclusive. Representing our diverse backgrounds and rich culture helps to break down the walls of fear and ignorance that exist and helps to focus on celebrating and loving our differences.” - Jennifer Spencer, Wireless Program Specialist, Panasonic System Solutions of North America
“I view a diverse environment as a requirement to produce diverse outcomes, and outcomes as a work of art. Given a pencil and paper, one can create a remarkable monochromatic sketch, but what is possible when we introduce additional resources like colors, paint, and canvas? We grow our ability exponentially to add depth, texture and vision that could not be conceived with simply pencil and paper, and here is where innovation begins. This becomes a necessity in any effort to produce an enhanced experience regardless of the audience, be it customer, coworker or partner and that experience fuels continuous and sustainable growth on all levels.
When working to expand my team at Panasonic, I like to look at others who do not have the exact same life experiences, perspectives, and personality that we already have but I do value intellect, character and integrity as a common thread.” -Jamil King, National Sales Manager, Panasonic North America
Learn more about Panasonic’s BLAAC Employee Network and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion here.
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