#ElevateAndEmpower: Celebrating Black History Month at work with Verizon.
This Black History Month, V Teamers have committed to elevating and empowering our employees and our communities to work towards a better world.
As we celebrate Black History Month at work, V Teamers have focused on elevating and empowering their communities, the next generation and each other. Read up on what the V Team has been up to this month and how we’re moving the world forward together.
Elevate and empower communities through social responsibility.
Only two months into the year, members of our BRAVE (Black Resource Association of Verizon Employees) and BOLD (Black Organizers, Leaders and Doers of VZ Media) employee resource groups (ERGs) have already contributed over 700 volunteer hours, working with organizations like National Association of Black Engineers, Books for Africa, and many others.
Corporate social responsibility is one of our key pillars, and we’re working hard to reach our goal of 2.5 million volunteer hours by 2025.
Proud of My Hair: A conversation on embracing your authentic self.
In partnership with BUILD, a live interview series, we released a short film, “Proud of My Hair,” on February 14. The conversation, which featured Global Network Operations & Assurance leader Genia Wilbourn and David Hubbard from Public Policy & Law, centered on authenticity, Black identity and empowerment.
Since the film’s release, V Teamers like Jennifer H. have shared their own experiences with hairstyles and identity in the workplace.
“I recently pulled off my wig, did the Big Chop and embraced my natural hair. The reality is that I am showing up more authentically, which allows me to be and bring the best version of myself to work. My anxiety and apprehension was without merit as I work for a company and with people who value who I am and not how I look. Thanks, Verizon for being a place where diversity and inclusion matters and is celebrated!” - Jennifer H., HR Business Partner
Check out Up To Speed to learn how V Teamers are embracing their authenticity all month.
#ElevateAndEmpower employee webcast.
Our 2020 Black History Month webcast centered on elevating and empowering our communities to take action and create positive change. Tony Lewis, Verizon’s VP of State Government Affairs, sat down with Hilary Shelton, Director of the NAACP Washington Bureau and SVP of Policy and Advocacy, for a fireside chat on prioritizing inclusion in politics. Topics discussed include the importance of voting and participating in the 2020 Census.
As part of our commitment to our communities, we also presented The Urban League of Essex County with a Verizon Grant to help in their mission to improve the lives of impoverished residents. The organization also focuses on STEM education for youth through its Newark Kids Code program.
Learn more about how Verizon creates a culture that empowers.
