DBP Member Black History Month Celebrations

Originally posted on diversitybestpractices.com

At Bloomberg, we believe diversity and inclusion powers innovation and global success. This February, our Diversity & Inclusion organization is working with our Black Professional Community, our Global Philanthropy & Engagement team, and senior leadership to host several events in honor of Black History Month.

Events that support D&I are a monthly occurrence at Bloomberg, for we’re committed to building and nurturing diverse and engaged teams across the globe and throughout the year. Thanks to the dedication of our community leaders and members who work in-step with our D&I and Philanthropy & Engagement teams, these events drive employee engagement, while underscoring the importance of D&I to our businesses.

Our communities are employee-run forums where members serve as culture carriers, role models, and brand ambassadors through philanthropic and other engagement activities. These forums also allow employees to expand their professional network and build leadership skills, while promoting a global dialogue on diversity and inclusion. Our eight global communities comprise more than 4,000 employees.

Our February D&I events are as follows. Note that while many of the following are based in New York and New Jersey, they are broadcast globally via the Bloomberg Terminal. Employees who work from other locations can access these events via a live feed or view a recording.

• Our Black History Month 2016 kick-off event will feature a conversation with Adebayo Ogunlesi, Founding Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners, which owns the London City and Gatwick Airports. Our Black Professional Community leader Monica Bertran, who also manages the multimedia group within Bloomberg’s Employee Communications team, will moderate the conversation. In this discussion, Mr. Ogunlesi will share stories from his journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He’ll also discuss the state of global diversity and innovation today. Ray Tierney, who leads Bloomberg’s Trading Solutions business and also serves as the Black Professional Community’s executive sponsor, will deliver opening remarks.
• We’re also hosting a “lunch-and-learn” with Reggie Browne, a well-known market maker in the Electronic Trading Funds industry. Mr. Browne will talk about his role and leadership trajectory, as well as address diversity topics as they relate to finance. Donna Wilson of Bloomberg Radio will moderate the discussion, following a welcome from Erika Irish Brown, who leads Bloomberg’s Diversity & Inclusion team.
• To further engage employees, we’re holding a skill-building workshop centered on networking. In this program, employees will have an opportunity to gain unique insights into the importance of building their networks and leveraging their existing connections for professional and personal advancement. Lawrence Adjah, founder of “Our Family Dinner,” will lead this session with Janique Broomes, the New York Chapter Lead of Bloomberg’s Black Professional Community. Ray Tierney will provide opening remarks for this event, as well.
• In partnership with Bloomberg’s Global Philanthropy & Engagement team, as well as our non-profit partners W!se and World of Money, our Black Professional Community members will volunteer and share their knowledge and experience with local high school students. During this day of mentoring, volunteers will advise on topics such as networking and managing personal finances. The program will also provide the participants training in using the Bloomberg Terminal.
• To promote diversity in the technology space, Bloomberg’s Chief Technology Officer and Black Professional Community Executive Sponsor Shawn Edwards will discuss the importance of building diverse technology teams. He’ll be joined by Mark Salmon, who leads the company’s Technology Infrastructure team, as well as Black and Latino engineering students from Columbia University.
• To continue the conversation around technology and diversity, we will host a panel discussion around the individuals and initiatives leading the advancement of young diverse entrepreneurs in this field. The panelists will address how entrepreneurs are gaining access to funding and accelerating social change in their communities. Speaking will be Shola Oyedele, an engineer at Walker and Co., and Denmark West, Partner at Connectivity Capital Partners. A networking reception will follow the discussion.
• On February 24, we'll host a lunch an learn with David Sutphen, Partner at the Brunswick Group, who will discuss the impact of D&I on attracting and retaining diverse talent, the business and enhancing client connections. Erika Irish Brown, Bloomberg's Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, will lead the conversation. 
• Finally, Black Professional Community Volunteers from our Princeton, NJ office will partake in a community service project through Elijah’s Promise, a local soup kitchen that serves more than 120,000 meals each year to people in central New Jersey.

Read the full article here. 
Learn more about Bloomberg's Global Diversity & Inclusion program here.