Recognizing Black History Month at Pager
Our team at Pager looks forward to Black History Month as a time to celebrate, reflect, and learn about Black culture and Black individuals who have made an impact on our society. To make the most of this month, our Culture Committee put together a variety of fun, informative, and engaging activities to celebrate Black History Month. In addition, the Committee shared Black history fun facts with the company during an all-hands and on Slack to promote education throughout the month.
Black History Month trivia
To kick off the programming, the Committee put together a company-wide Black History Month trivia event. Employees were encouraged to brush up on their Black history knowledge through some facts shared during an all-hands and on Slack in advance. Employees then joined a live, virtual trivia event. Questions revolved around important moments in Black history and key Black figures who made an impact on our society. Employees could order a reimbursable meal for lunch (ideally from a Black-owned restaurant) to enjoy during the event!
Following the trivia, our winner was announced and participants discussed pieces of history they learned – what surprised them, who impressed them, and what they hoped to learn more about.
Soul food recipe discussion
The next week, employees were invited to join in a conversation about soul food. Prior to the discussion, employees were encouraged to share their soul food recipes, and others could make those new recipes at home to try some meals and dishes that for others were tradition. Employees submitted recipes for desserts, appetizers, mains, and more. To encourage employees to try new soul food meals, they could get reimbursed for ingredients in the recipes.
A group of employees came together to discuss what soul food means to them, the traditions surrounding soul food, and their favorite recipes. Employees left the meeting with a list of new recipes to try to make on their own!
National Museum of African American History and Culture tour
We secured tickets for employees to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. A group of employees got together in Washington, D.C. to visit the museum and learn about African American culture and history in the U.S.
Photo credit: Kaitlyn Freeman
Book discussion and movie night
To wrap up our Black History Month programming, the Committee plans to host a book club and movie night to discuss The Secret Life of Bees. The first 30 minutes will be a discussion of the book for those who read it, then employees will come together to watch the movie version as a group. Following the movie, the team will discuss the movie and their thoughts about it and its representation of Black life in the southern U.S. in the 1960s.
Our team was excited to combine in-person and virtual events in order to provide opportunities for education and celebration during Black History Month. Pager recognizes the value and importance of diversity throughout our organization and across the world – and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate Black culture within our company.
