Celebrating Black History Month at Rakuten Advertising

February’s activities were supported by our Black Employee Alliance (BEA) which strives to help create an environment within Rakuten that actively attracts and champions Black employees; providing equitable opportunities for professional growth, emerging partnerships, and integrating diverse perspectives at all levels of business and management.

In the spirit of this year’s theme, BEA curated events that promised to leave participants inspired and revitalized. Check out these amazing events below!

Lunch and Learn with M. Quentin Williams

Quentin Williams is an advocate, attorney and author-educator who founded Dedication to Community to help improve the economic mobility of underserved communities. Quentin’s session highlighted how hard work, networking, and an entrepreneurship mentality can positively impact community engagement and the social responsibility between government agencies and the private sector.

Global All Hands Meeting with Kelly Elaine Navies

Kelly Elaine Navies, lead curator, and oral historian at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, highlighted the important role of African American oral histories in supporting Black Resistance. We left our Global All Hands meeting with a new understanding of the significant role oral histories play in African American history and culture.

Soul Food Cooking with Rockoly

Rockoly hosted a delicious Soul Food virtual cooking experience. Chef A’Donna helped us honor historic connections to soul food through a Jamaican BBQ chicken dish that left mouths watering.

Local Dinners

Dinners were planned in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, and globally in Canada, Australia, and London! The Black Employee Alliance continues to cultivate a strong sense of community by celebrating its members and supporting black-owned businesses. They enjoyed connecting and creating new memories with their colleagues and fellow BEA members.

Celebrate Throughout the Year!

We encourage everyone to honor BHM and the BIPOC community with family and friends throughout the year! Here are a few ways you can continue to support your BIPOC friends and colleagues.

• Educate yourself about Black history
• Donate to organizations that fight racial injustice
• Support a Black-owned business or The Fifteen Percent Pledge

Thank you to our Black Employee Alliance team members Dannielle Cumberbatch, Brooke Ray, Hannah Betit, Tyeisha McDade, Yomi Arokoyo, Shannon McPhearson, Ta’Rikah Jones, and Tamisa Covington for your hard work putting together such an incredible month filled with learning, reflection & fun!