To help commemorate Black History Month, we will be sharing profiles featuring the founding members of our new EMBRACE employee network throughout February. Today, get to know Persabelle Berhane from our Corporate Finance team. We invite you to learn how Black history has influenced her life and why she is building our EMBRACE network for our BIPOC community and their allies.
Why is Black History Month important to you? Black History Month is important to me because it is the month to represent and be represented. It is the month dedicated to acknowledging and appreciating blackness; to honoring the triumphs and struggles of Black Americans and African Americans throughout U.S. history.
As an Africana Woman who immigrated from Ethiopia, Black History Month celebrates and recognizes the contributions of all black individuals, including black immigrants, to society. I feel so proud of my heritage and the rich history and culture of my Ethiopian ancestral homeland, as well as the achievements of black people throughout the diaspora collaboratively living in the melting pot culture that is unique to the freedom enhanced here in the United States of America.
Black History Month serves to acknowledge our ancestral struggles and helps to shed light on the need for ongoing efforts to promote equality and justice for all people, regardless of their background.
Tell us about someone from the Black community who influenced or inspired you, and why? Chang’aa Mweti was my African and African American Studies professor while I was attending the Labovitz School of Business at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Professor Mweti has a PhD in Curriculum and Instructions from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Originally from Kenya, Chang’aa is a well-respected and valued member of his community. He portrayed lessons in the form of Folklore and told inspirational stories that break barriers of differences and challenge adversity. Chang’aa taught me the art of storytelling and the grave power it holds. Chang’aa often talked about his village and his people but did so eloquently highlighting the paradox that exists in the uniqueness and sameness within one another.
Chang’aa Mweti’s charismatic work continues to inspire me and positively influence the way so many of us see the world.
What are you hoping EMBRACE brings to our community? The great gathering of people from different backgrounds coming together to share, learn and grow personally and professionally. I am hopeful EMBRACE will foster unity, collaboration, and community, paving the way in living, working and exemplifying DEI values.
Why should our BIPOC colleagues and allies consider joining EMBRACE? Often, I challenge my views on topics once I learn something new and gain a new perspective. I encourage our BIPOC colleagues and allies to join EMBRACE, be part of a community to learn about one another and foster growth within, EMBRACING the differences that drive our greatness.
To help commemorate Black History Month, we will be sharing profiles featuring the founding members of our soon-to-launch EmbRACE employee network throughout February. Today, get to know network co-chair, Crystal Conover, from our Corporate IT team. We invite you to learn how Black history has influenced her life and why she is building our EmbRACE network for our BIPOC community and their allies.
Why is Black History Month important to you? I say frequently, “You cannot appreciate where you are going, until you understand where you come from.” Black History Month provides a time of reflection and awareness of the sacrifices made for our culture. It took “revolution for evolution” for us to see change. We have seen trailblazers, pioneers and martyrs pave the way for liberty, equality, and justice for the Black American community. It is important for me to take this time to honor my ancestors and continue the legacy in which they set forth for us.
Tell us about someone from the Black community who influenced or inspired you, and why? Condoleezza Rice has been an inspiration to me for many years. I have admired her accomplishments as the first Black American Secretary of State and national security advisor. I find her professionalism and tenacity an encouragement to me to continue to pursue opportunities within my community.
Soledad O’Brien is also one of my favorite influencers. As an American journalist, she has been an unapologetic force in the broadcast community. Some of my favorite works of Soledad was her show, “Being Black in America” which aired on CNN in 2007. In 2022, she created a documentary film titled, “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks.” I personally connect with Soledad’s candor in telling a story, sharing facts, and exposing elusive conclusions with professionalism and grace.
What are you hoping EmbRACE brings to our community? I am hoping EmbRACE provides a unique forum for our colleagues to share their current roadblocks and challenges, while providing collaborative support for one another. I would like to see EmbRACE be a “safe place” for everyone to let their guard down and feel confident in knowing they are not, in any peril, alone.
Why should our BIPOC colleagues and allies consider joining EmbRACE? One of our shared values is “respect: be kind, be inclusive and collaborate, and see diversity as a strength.” As we continue to operate in a hybrid work environment, it is vital for us to EmbRACE one another, check on one another, and engage one another when the opportunity presents itself. Joining our network is one of the ways we can contribute to creating an inclusive world.
Recently, our Canton office’s Community Engagement team presented two donations, funded through Intact’s Charitable Trust, to their local nonprofit partner, School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA). SOWMA’s vision is for all students impacted by homelessness to have the academic, social, and emotional support necessary to achieve a bright and productive future. Every contribution and volunteer effort enables them to help build economic resilience through tutoring and mentoring programs, along with school backpacks for those in need. And ultimately, our hope is that our engagement will help SOWMA’s mission of disrupting the cycle of poverty.
Below are pictures of the Intact team helping fill backpacks and sharing a lunch with representatives from School on Wheels to learn more about how we can continue to support SOWMA in meaningful ways. You can learn more about SOWMA here.
Every year, on the third Monday of January, we reflect on the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. who is best known for his efforts towards racial equality in the United States. As his wife, Coretta Scott King, explained, on this day we commemorate “the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America.” We commemorate the timeless values he demonstrated – the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility, and service.
Here are some ways we can remember him:
In-person or online events, such as these events in Boston, where Dr. King studied, met his future wife and served as an assistant minister:
This year has special resonance in Boston because of the reveal of “The Embrace” monument dedicated to King and his wife at the Boston Common on January 13. The sculpture is based on a historic photograph of the Kings in an embrace when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast: this annual breakfast on January 16 will feature The New Yorker writer Jelani Cobb as the keynote speaker (follow the link above to stream the event).
Movies: this list of movies about King includes documentaries, civil rights movies, and miniseries.
Readings: click here to access “The Meaning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday” by Coretta Scott King.
Speeches: this PBS article includes links to the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the speech he made after the walk from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, as well “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” his final public speech.
Recently, our Anaheim office’s Community Engagement team presented their donation, funded through Intact’s Charitable Trust, to their local non-profit partner, the Orangewood Foundation. The foundation helps almost 2,000 youth annually prepare for independent adulthood in Orange County, CA.
The “Orangewood Way” recognizes that our relationship with our youth is one of collaboration and partnership. Their staff works one-on-one with youth to help them identify their own strengths, attributes, and aptitudes to empower them to overcome their challenges and reach their greatest potential. Their staff works with youth in four critical areas: health & wellness, housing, life skills & employment, and education. Every contribution enables them to reach even more youth.
Below is a picture of the Intact team with the Orangewood representative. We look forward to hearing more about their volunteer support of team Orangewood! You can learn more about the Orangewood Foundation here.
From left to right: Intact’s Steve Hepps, Carmen Uribe, Diego Zarate (the Orangewood Donation Relations Manager), Rosa Rivera, Rich Bishop, Jill Nakamoto, Joel Buffa, and David Richardson.
