How the Black Employee Network empowers Black employees to thrive at Amazon and AWS

ZsaVette Ellis Eze: Our mission at BEN is to recruit, retain, and empower Black employees at Amazon. We contribute to and inform the culture at Amazon to ensure that Black talent will thrive.

Jawann Graves: BEN's primary purpose is providing a support structure for Black employees while championing inclusion and diversity throughout the company. BEN connects members with mentors and provides career and personal development workshops. BEN also engages with the local and regional chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers, leads recruiting initiatives with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and partners with other organizations.

JG: BEN's activities are divided into three categories:

1. Philanthropy, which includes reading to elementary school students, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) talks, food and book-bag donations, and literacy programs.
2. Employee development, where we discuss how to get promoted, share internal resources at our disposal, and expose our members to the amazing employee growth opportunities available at Amazon.
3. Employee engagement, which refers to our networking events, which provide opportunities for employees to meet like-minded people and build community.

ZEE: Our banner events surround national and international holidays—Juneteenth, Africa Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, and Black History Month. BEN provides lists of volunteer opportunities and global and regionally-curated panel discussions through 28 corporate chapters.

In one panel discussion, "The C.R.O.W.N. Act and the Joy of Remarkably Black Hair," we discussed the uniqueness that is Black hair and what constitutes professionalism in the workplace. Also, through our “The Career Kitchen Series” program, we aim to educate BEN members on how to utilize internal resources and tools to support their professional development. We’ve also hosted a BEN Startup Week, a platform where entrepreneurs and solopreneurs were able to garner valuable tools and insights, and collaborate with some of the best founders and innovators in the game! BEN also works to curate spaces for our members to share and network. We host local meet-ups as well as virtual happy hours.

JG: One of the most significant challenges for the Black community in STEM is that not all schools are created equally. Some wealthier schools have more resources to invest in education than Title 1 schools. BEN aims to assist with this by publicizing the resources available through programs such as AWS Educate.

These programs are free or low-cost, and they teach students the skills they need to be successful in the future. Another critical step in this process is for BEN members to meet with students and show them there are people who look like them working at companies like Amazon. This glimpse into what technology actually looks like shows them that others of their race and economic status have overcome similar challenges.

Natu Abraham: Breaking into tech as a Black person or person of color can be intimidating as the tech industry is known to be highly skilled and fast-paced. BEN Chapters host workshops on professional development, finance, career growth, and we provide communication platforms for Black Amazonians to share opportunities, thoughts, information, and support for one another.

ZEE: Black employees make up just 7.4% of the tech workforce according to AnitaB.org. Historically, businesses have launched Black leadership programs in an attempt to “fix” the talent problem. But Black talent doesn’t need fixing. We are proud to be a part of BEN where we are supported, empowered, and funded to execute programming to help close these gaps. Long-term investments in mentorship, training, and access to senior-level networks also enable BEN members and Black talent to Hire and Develop the Best here at Amazon.

What are some of the other positive ways BEN is supporting current and future Black professionals?

ZEE: BEN connects members with mentors and provides career and personal development workshops. BEN also engages with the local and regional chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers, National Black MBA Association, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), customers, partners, and other organizations. We are a conduit for Amazon into the Black community and work to facilitate relationships between Amazon and key strategic partners focused on racial diversity across tech.

JG: BEN has worked with AWS's Community Engagement Team to bring STEM education to students in Accra, Ghana. AWS and BASICS International collaborated on this project. Throughout a three-week session, BEN assisted students in learning about our AWS Educate program, AWS DeepRacer, arts and crafts, coding, and reading. It demonstrates that BEN, as a global organization, is not limited to the United States' borders.

JG: The BEN community is what keeps me here. Having friends and members of the Black community to commiserate with is priceless. It gives me more value to be that for others, and I enjoy seeing our accomplishments.

NA: I joined BEN because I want to continue developing my leadership skills. I believe I'll bring my multi-cultural perspectives from being raised in multiple countries and studying abroad, my leadership skills gained from college, and my passion for driving the voice and excellence of our Black culture.

ZEE: Starting as a member of BEN Atlanta and then on to a global leadership role in BEN ensures that I curate and maintain spaces where Black Amazonians feel valued, welcomed, appreciated, and understand why they’re important to this company’s success. Lastly, I get to partner with our talent acquisition teams to recruit underrepresented individuals to further diversify our talent pipelines. I enjoy sharing what life’s like as an Amazonian and Black woman in technology in the hopes of inspiring the next generation of Amazonians.

JG: The most surprising aspect for me is how empowered we are to drive our own growth and solve difficult business problems. The key for new employees is to understand that while you may have an idea, writing is how we communicate. There are internal videos and external classes available to assist you if you aren't a strong writer.

NA: One of the biggest surprises when I joined AWS was seeing so many Black leaders across levels, from manager to director to vice president. It’s great to know that decisions made by leadership are influenced with diverse voices and perspectives.

ZEE: I had an amazing onboarding buddy who assured me that I should feel safe to bring my authentic self to AWS, and that AWS was indeed a workplace where I should feel comfortable with how I show up to work. In more than two years at AWS, that’s been beneficial for my career trajectory and my ability to interface with senior leadership.

How do BEN, Amazon, and AWS help employees feel supported and included? What are some examples of inclusion in the workplace that BEN helps support?

ZEE: BEN represents the voices and concerns of Black Amazonians. We also provide talent development, recruitment strategy, and customer insights. We share best practices across our communication channels to lift the Black community, and use our voices in regards to corporate social responsibility—specifically Amazon’s response to social injustices that impact our communities.

ZEE: We couldn’t do the great work at BEN without the support of AWS and Amazon. AWS has been a strong supporter of BEN—in fact, the current executive sponsor is Adam Selipsky, CEO of AWS. The majority of our advisors sit within AWS including Ian Wilson, vice president of human resources at AWS, and LaDavia Drane, head of global inclusion, diversity, & equity at AWS.

JG: I want current and future Black employees to understand they truly own their careers. We have many internal resources available to help you learn more about your role or other roles in the company. There are also resources available to assist you with your soft skills.

ZEE: You are not alone. We’ve seen what we can be when unburdened by what has been. Here at AWS, we can literally build our careers and explore new paths. Nothing is stopping you from building the next innovative service or working to optimize a customer’s transformation in the cloud. I am lucky to work for a company that truly makes data-driven decisions, but understands that having good intentions isn’t enough. Amazon has put mechanisms in place to get things done. BEN, as an extension to many of these mechanisms, ensures our voices are heard.

Anything else we should know about BEN?

ZEE: Black is remarkable. The Black Employee Network is remarkable. We are so much more than the struggle—we are indeed Black excellence, creatives, technologists, innovators, and strategists. We will continue to amplify the good work and allyship already happening at Amazon and AWS. We will also look to build new pathways for Black Amazonians to enhance their careers and impact their communities.

JG: There were over 100 Amazonians at my first AfroTech, and seeing that much Black excellence is beyond words. It reminds me of how people felt after watching "Black Panther." It's a mixture of pride and happiness, disbelief and joy. Come join Amazon and BEN to experience that sensation!