Celebrating Black History Month 2023
Hear from employees across Checkr this Black History Month.
Black History Month, celebrated in February each year, is a time to reflect on, recognize, and honor Black history, culture, and excellence.
Hear from employees as they expand on what Black History Month means to them, how they’re celebrating, and what it’s like to be a part of the Black community here at Checkr.
Makeda Davis, Software Engineer at Checkr
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black history month means reflecting on all the black race has been through past and present and how these experiences have made us some of the strongest, most resilient and hardworking people in the world. It means examining of how far we have come, being proud of the great accomplishments and contributions blacks have made historically, and being inspired to leave behind a legacy that others can look at and feel the same.
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For me, black history is something I continually celebrate in my life and heart. I celebrate by praising God and by doing my best to encourage my brown peers to love themselves and others, and to keep striving for black excellence. I celebrate by communing with others who are taking strides to improve the world and the black experience in it. And last, I celebrate by sharing my story as a justice-impacted individual to inspire others to keep pushing despite setbacks or obstacles.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Black community at Checkr?
It means a great deal to me to be a part of the Black community at Checkr. Blacks are underrepresented in the tech space so I love to see more and more of us breaking barriers. As a justice-impacted person, being here at Checkr, and having made it this far, is a dream come true not only for me and my family, but for my community! I am especially inspired by Checkr's mission. Fair chance hiring contributes to the expansion of the Black community in the workforce. I am honored to be among the black community members working towards this mission.
Zsaniece Davison, Customer Service Representative at Checkr
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Although the month is short it is exciting to be able to celebrate the accomplishments of our ancestors and continue to strive for our independence; especially in the month that our Blackness is notably announced and recognized around the Globe!
How do you celebrate Black History, both during this month but also throughout the year?
Celebrating and supporting black businesses/organizations, attending events and festivals as well as other educational facilities.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Black community at Checkr?
Being a part of the group that expresses and understands the hardships, struggles, as well accomplishments means more than a notion.
Evan Walker, Executive Assistant at Checkr
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History is the acknowledgement and celebration of the RICH history of Black individuals. A time out to unpack how, why and WHAT the people before us fought for. A starting point for the conversations and further study about our sacrifices and contributions that BUILT this country. It means acknowledging Black leaders beyond the constructs of slavery and brokenness. Black History Month is an amazing space to celebrate people that were AND continue to be viciously and intentionally harmed for generations, and yet still led movements, created inventions, and existed graciously through it all.
On the Black community at Checkr:
I constantly feel our collective achievements as one in all areas and recognize where we came from as slaves to now -- how we made it through bias, discrimination and systemic oppression to education, careers and success that was completely unattainable to our ancestors. Through rough and hard times, we are still standing...together.
Quinn Evans, Sr. Manager Mid Market Sales at Checkr
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Pride, Acknowledgment, Accountability. It means all these things and more to me. It is something that I carry with me everyday. Something that I am forever grateful for.
How do you celebrate Black History, both during this month but also throughout the year?
I celebrate by remembering my ancestors before me through books, family stories, and music. My family has a large dinner where we get together and give thanks for the struggle we have gone through and the struggle that we continue to fight to overcome.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Black community at Checkr?
It means the world to me. I am not the face you expect to see when you think of a Sales Leader in Tech. I also make it my job to make sure those around me feel supported no matter if they look like me or not. This is the dream that our black leaders fought for. I try to portray it in my day to day.
Jeannetta McMillan, Customer Operations Specialist at Checkr
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is an incredibly important time of year for me. It allows us all to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the incredible achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. It is a time to celebrate the resilience of African American people in the face of immense adversity and to recognize the essential role they have played in shaping our nation and our world. This month is an opportunity to learn more about the history of African Americans, to honor their legacy, and to work to build a more equitable future.
How do you celebrate Black History, both during this month but also throughout the year?
Celebrating Black History should be a year-round effort to remember and honor the incredible contributions of African Americans to our society and culture. During Black History Month, I like to attend Black-focused events, supporting black-owned businesses, and reading books by African American authors.
On the Black community at Checkr:
To me, being a part of the Black community at Checkr means that I have the opportunity to help shape the future of the company. As a Black employee, I am able to use my unique perspectives, experiences, and talents to contribute to the organization in meaningful ways. I am proud to be part of an organization that is dedicated to celebrating and honoring diverse backgrounds and identities. I am also grateful to be part of a community that is committed to creating an environment of inclusion, support, and understanding for all employees.
Vernon Bennett, Mid Market Account Executive at Checkr
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a celebration! It's a time to honor the many contributions the Black diaspora has had to The World. A time for Blacks to unapologetically love, embrace, educate, and liberate each other holding our heads high, raising our fists, and being proud of who we are. Most importantly, it's a time for The World to wholeheartedly support and uplift a culture that is more appropriated than celebrated.
How do you celebrate Black History, both during this month but also throughout the year?
Black History Month is twelve months a year for me! I awake each day as a proud Black man and do whatever I can to share the beauty of it. I may be a voice to those afraid to speak today, an anchor to someone searching tomorrow, but I'll always be a vessel of hope for Blacks every day.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Black community at Checkr?
There are very few Blacks in the tech industry and virtually no presence in the executive suites in these organizations. Being part of the Black community at Checkr gives me an opportunity to break down societal and systemic barriers to provide visibility and create opportunities for people who look like me. It's comforting knowing that I work with a team of Black peers in an organization committed to restructuring society.
Frantz Placide, Senior Account Executive at Checkr
How do you celebrate Black History, both during this month but also throughout the year?
I celebrate Black History by remembering where I come from and the strength Black people around the world show everyday by living the best way possible. I celebrate Black History by becoming a positive role model for those people around me, I dedicate my time to mentoring young black athletes, I celebrate Black History by presenting an upstanding and positive contributor in our society.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Black community at Checkr?
It means everything to me. I love that our people always find a way to connect and help uplift each other. Representation matters and the leadership shown in the Black community at Checkr gives me hope that we will continue to be a force in tech and hopefully soon one or two or five of us will be recognized as part of the Checkr leadership.
Nyia Milton, Candidate Experience Representative at Checkr
What does Black History Month mean to you?
It means displaying the tenacity and beauty of our culture. It also means acknowledging the history of not only Black history but also the ways our society can uplift our community in the present.
How do you celebrate Black History, both during this month but also throughout the year?
Supporting Black owned businesses, holding space for African Americans, and listening to African Americans!
Beau Reescano, Software Engineer at Checkr
What does Black History Month mean to you?
To me, Black History Month represents acknowledgement and remaining cognizant of our past as Black peoples living in America and the significance of our history to ourselves and also those around us.
How do you celebrate Black History, both during this month but also throughout the year?
I consciously make an effort to support black people and live the culture everyday.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Black community at Checkr?
Representation! It is a great sign that we aren't just falling to the wayside and are fighting for our fair share.
Thank you to Makeda Davis, Zsaniece Davison, Evan Walker, Quinn Evans, Jeannetta McMillan, Vernon Bennett, Frantz Placide, Nyia Milton and Beau Reescano for your insight and contributions**.**