The Black Scottish Awards’ Post

Welcome February! Day 1 of a new month and I am feeling happy! February is recognized and celebrated as #BlackHistoryMonth in Canada and other countries. The 2024 theme for Black History Month in Canada is: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”. As a Black person I am proud of who I am, where I come from and thankful for those who have created a pathway to make things better for Black people. "The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness." -Marcus Garvey. Here are 2 ways to support #BlackHistoryMonth and be an ally: * Educate yourself; understanding the past, current struggles, and becoming aware of how Black people have contributed to our communities. *Buy from Black Businesses; whatever you are searching for, there is a Black person who owns a business you can support. Intentionally buying from Black businesses helps undo years of economic segregation and empowers Black creators, makers, tradespeople and more to continue to advance their careers. #BHM2024

Let it be known: Despite continued obstacles, Black talent thrives in every industry. We are present throughout the economic spectrum, excelling at all levels. Yet, despite our significant contributions, our experiences continue to be diminished. Through conversations and roundtable discussions facilitated by The Black Network, we have uncovered the pervasive inequalities that shadow our professions. I’m in the business of change not charity and that’s what Black Out is about. We're engineering transformation. Black Out represents a critical opportunity for organisations, for budget holders to actively partner with us and participate in change, creating a more inclusive future and for the Black community to be part of it in real time. This is history in the making, join us as we practically change the face of advertising and media. Apply - https://lnkd.in/ekTWj-ap Partner - bn@cephaswilliams.com #BlackOut2024 / #TheBlackNetwork The Black Network / Together We Are Stronger Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity #BlackOut2024 / #CannesLionsFestival

Hey Folks, 👋🏾 February is Black History Month! This year's theme for #BHM in the GC is Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build. It celebrates the rich past and present contributions and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, while aspiring to embrace new opportunities for the future. In line with this theme, it’s important to champion efforts to cultivate a more equitable public service. We can do this by acknowledging the contributions of Black public servants, identifying opportunities for career development and prioritizing the well being and mental health of our Black identifying colleagues This work must happen all year round, not just in February. Here’s a list of resources created by Black public servants, for public servants. - Mental health and the Black narrative: Breaking down barriers (CDS’s Elaine Edache worked on this piece on Mental Health in the Black Community in her past role on the Living Digital team): https://lnkd.in/eYzypx-n - Understanding Anti Black Racism: Resource guide from the Federal Black Employee Caucus (FBEC) | Caucus des employés fédéraux noirs (CEFN): https://lnkd.in/eJ8Bz3Mt - Department of National Defence Ask Me Anything: Celebrating Black Excellence (February 21 - Open to all public servants): https://lnkd.in/ektkP5sr - The Black Executives Network | Le Réseau des exécutifs noirs (BEN/REN) is leading the creation of a government-wide talent management tool for Black employees: https://lnkd.in/e8zMcJ6x #BHM2024 ✊🏾 Let's keep the conversation going. Share your resources in the comments. 👇🏾

As the promotion of Black Owned Organizations for Black History Month Series comes to an end, it was wonderful to be able to highlight these 13 successful Black businesses. It was an honor and my pleasure to share the stories of the individuals behind these organizations, that truly embody #blackexcellence. Representation matters, which is why it is important to continue to support and elevate the stories of these leaders and entrepreneurs, so that they can inspire and be role models for the future generations. The end of February does not have to mean the end of celebrating Black history & the future. Let us continue to do it year-round by: ✅️Supporting Black businesses ✅️Celebrating Successful Black Professionals ✅️ Investing in training, mentorship and sponsorship initiatives ✅️ Supporting Employee Resource Groups ✅️ Watching (thank you Netflix & CBC/Radio-Canada !) and reading on the multifaceted black stories ✅️ Engaging with non-profit organizations that work with Black communities ✅️ Being allies & inclusive leaders ✅️ Acknowledging our biases and learning how to mitigate them ✅️ Creating safe spaces to hold powerful and needed conversations about systemic racism, diversity, inclusion, and equity. As Issa Rae (also known as President Barbie 😊), one of my favorite actresses/ producers/writer says in this video, changing the world for the better starts by focusing on what we can do in our immediate environment. Little by little, it will lead to making a significant impact on our communities.🙌🏾 #BHM2024 #Blackhistorymonth2024 #blackexcellence #diversity #equity #inclusion #representationmatters #bethechange

As #BlackHistoryMonth begins, we celebrate and honor the many accomplishments of Black Americans. At NiSource, we see great value in reflecting the diverse makeup of the communities we humbly serve. Our President and CEO, Lloyd Yates, shares how NiSource's business strategies prioritize inclusive behaviors and foster a professional environment that supports all employees. Learn more: ow.ly/ifZQ50QwRXR

Today is #Juneteenth, a day to recognize the anniversary of the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. and the resilience of Black communities! Acknowledging and celebrating employees' racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds can enhance psychological safety and boost #EmployeeEngagement. By participating in Juneteenth programming, you can encourage cultural curiosity and historical awareness throughout your organization, fostering #inclusion and understanding. To support the celebration of Juneteenth in your workplace, consider engaging in the following activities: - Communicate: Share information about Juneteenth on your organization's social media platforms and in newsletters. Demonstrate your commitment to DEI by highlighting Black voices and contributions within your organization. - Educate: Take the time to learn about the history of Juneteenth through various resources and engage in educational opportunities with your team. Encourage employees to explore books, movies, podcasts, and other materials that can challenge their perspectives and deepen their understanding of what today means. - Serve/Donate: Make a positive impact in your local community by volunteering with nonprofits or making donations to organizations that support communities of color. Look for ways to support local businesses and invest in supplier diversity to foster economic growth. - Collaborate: Seek out and listen to Black leaders within your organization. Build a truly inclusive workplace by understanding and valuing the diverse perspectives and experiences within the Black community. Take the opportunity to honor Black history, culture, and achievements while fostering a sense of belonging and understanding within your workplace. Juneteenth is not just a holiday; it's a chance to build a more equitable organization and society today and beyond. For our list of top recommended Juneteenth resources, read the full article today.

In February we celebrate Black History Month, recognizing the valuable contributions of the Black community. This year's theme, "Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build," highlights the accomplishments of Black people in Canada, past and present, while looking forward to the future. It also coincides with the 10th year of the International Decade for People of African Descent. Meaningful celebration of Black History is crucial, much like fostering diversity and inclusion at work. It's not only about recognizing past achievements, but also about actively working to continue dismantling barriers Black people are facing, both in and out of the workplace. Explore the resources below to delve into the rich history and inspiring stories showcasing Black excellence and innovation. International Decade for People of African Descent https://lnkd.in/dT59gs2 Legacy and Impact of Black Women Led Organizations https://lnkd.in/gQNAYwH Canadian Encyclopedia: Black History in Canada https://lnkd.in/eETStgE3 #BlackHistoryMonth #DexterraGroup #BHM2024

It’s February, which means it’s Black History Month! 🖤📆 Canada's Black History Month theme for 2024, "Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build," not only underscores the remarkable contributions of Black Canadians in the past and present but also urges us to look towards a future that embraces diversity and new opportunities. For us, “Black Excellence” is not just a phrase; it’s a powerful acknowledgement of the achievements and resilience of Black individuals in the face of adversity. At the Centre, we believe it is crucial to recognize that the contributions of the Black community are woven into the very fabric of our society – and the celebration and recognition of those contributions should not be confined to a single month of the year. Supporting and celebrating Black communities, organizations, initiatives, and individuals is a commitment we keep year-round. We also believe that this important and symbolic support needs to be translated into action. In the coming weeks, we'll be publishing initiatives by and for Black people in which we've participated. Join us in making Black excellence an integral part of our year-round agenda. By incorporating diverse perspectives into our teams, projects, and discussions, we contribute to a community housing sector that truly reflects and celebrates our diversity. 🌟 Here's to celebrating Black excellence and building an inclusive, equitable future together. #BlackHistoryMonth #Blackhistorymonth2024 #BHM

Back to Our Roots is a project for and by Black 2SLGBTQI+ people across Canada. The Enchanté Network / Le réseau Enchanté, Canada's leading and largest 2SLGBTQI+ association, recently released a research report that details and makes recommendations to address the service gaps for Canada's diverse Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities. 👬🏾👭🏾 The five data-driven recommendations are: 👉🏾 Establishing a national Black 2SLGBTQI+ organization with a mandate to serve Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities and to coordinate support, advocacy and resource distribution. 👉🏾 Creating a digital platform that serves as a hub for information, resources, networking and support for Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities. 👉🏾 Enhancing advocacy and representation by advocating for policy changes that recognize and address the intersectional discrimination faced by Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities. 👉🏾 Creating safer and more accessible spaces for Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities to connect, seek support and share experiences. 👉🏾 Investing in research and data collection to fill current gaps regarding the needs and challenges of Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities. As Black 2SLGBTQI+ people, we are rooted in who we are, and who we are becoming. 🌱 I encourage you to read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gsVREcJ8

February is Black History Month, and at CCFWE we are excited to honor Black excellence and celebrate the voices that make our organization stronger under the theme, "Empowering Black Excellence: Amplifying Voices, Celebrating Trailblazers, and Nurturing Identity." Black History Month provides us with an opportunity to honor and celebrate the rich diversity, history, and culture of Black people in Canada. It's a time to recognize and appreciate the countless contributions made by Black communities across the country. At CCFWE, we take pride in being a Black-led organization with a range of programs dedicated to Black and racialized women, including refugees, immigrants, and newcomers who are at high risk of domestic Economic Abuse. Black individuals have played a crucial role in shaping our organization and contributing to our overarching goal of addressing Economic Abuse and economic injustice. This Black History Month will highlight the exceptional contributions of Black individuals who have shaped our mission of combating Economic Abuse and empowering survivors. Join us on our journey to celebrate Black excellence! #VoicesthatMatter #BlackHistoryMonth.