How Identity Has Influenced a Slack Learning Manager at Salesforce's Career
Halimah's career journey, starting in a diversity and inclusion nonprofit, shaped their focus on creating belonging in tech, particularly through leadership in Slack's Mahogany employee resource group. This experience, informed by "how do you bring all those different identities and create content or create experiences working where people feel like they really belong and that they can thrive," directly impacts their current role as a Learning Manager, emphasizing the importance of inclusive practices and accountability.
Diversity and Inclusion, Employee Resource Groups, Leadership, Belonging, Intersectional Identities
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Halimah Jones
Learning Manager, Slack Global Onboarding
Salesforce
Northwestern University, 2016
N/A
Psychology
Technology
Human Resources (HR)
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Halimah's career started at a non-profit focused on diversity and inclusion, providing early exposure to diverse perspectives and cultural nuances in the workplace.
2. Her experience leading the Mahogany employee resource group (ERG) at Slack highlights her commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and supporting intersectional identities within the tech industry.
3. Halimah emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive work environments where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel valued, can thrive, and contribute their unique perspectives. She advocates for accountability and creating space for different life experiences in the workplace
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a Black woman, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
When I first started my career, I began at a nonprofit focused on diversity and inclusion. I was surrounded by many people of color, which was very rewarding.
I learned a lot about history and different cultures, and how those influence our work styles and expectations at companies. Later, I moved to a tech company that strongly supported diversity and inclusion.
My focus there was on leveraging my own experiences to improve the experiences of future employees. I concentrated on our employee resource groups at Slack, specifically Mahogany, which is for Black employees.
I was part of Mahogany's leadership team for about three years. When I joined, it was just starting as an ERG and was quite small. I was on the initial leadership team.
We focused on creating a sense of culture and belonging for Black individuals, as well as those with intersectional identities. This involved collaborating with other ERGs to consider identities like being a Black woman, a Black veteran, or LGBTQIA+ within our group.
When I consider the future of work and the industry, it’s about integrating all these different identities. The goal is to create content and experiences where people feel a true sense of belonging and can thrive.
Often, simply telling people they belong is the first step. It’s also crucial to hold individuals accountable and make space for diverse life experiences. I believe I bring this perspective to my team and any group I interact with. This approach stems from my own identity and experiences as I started my career.