Being Black at Recharge: Messages from the heart
Being half black American and half Filipino woman, I’ve learned to take on the world with the lens of positive intersectionality. Of course, growing up there were times when I was left out of all social circles. I was told I wasn’t black enough to sit with a group, wasn’t asian enough to be smart, wasn’t feminine enough to have a boyfriend, but over time I took those baseless insults and twisted them into my superpower. I embrace my uniqueness in this world and challenge myself in my personal and professional life to keep pushing boundaries. One of the many ways I challenge myself professionally is to actively contribute to the culture at Recharge. I joined the BLACK@ Recharge ERG leadership team to help drive a feeling that is close to my heart, the feeling like you belong in a world that can be very alienating at times. With the help of my colleagues and the belonging council at Recharge, we continue to host events and lead candid discussions about how we navigate our diversity in this chaotic world and life.
“I am so glad my colleagues asked me to be a part of the BLACK@ Recharge leadership committee. I am also excited to work with Recharge and other ERG leads and help initiate the conversations and collaborations that will make an impact across the organization. However, I am most excited about being an advocate alongside the other leads for making sure that being Black at Recharge, we are valued, supported, and set up with a clear pathway towards success!” says Shonel Symister, Strategic Account Manager.
Love was in the air during our Open Mic Take over
Recharge ERGs host a monthly open mic where anything goes. From poets, to drum solos, dance recitals, crafting, and models, it’s no surprise that Rechargers love showcasing their personal passions. Open mics are not only a great way to learn about each other’s special interests, but they’re a vital reminder for our remote-first company that we’re real people behind the computers with real dreams and talents.
We started the open mic with a spoken word poem about love by Javaughn Langlois, one of our Account Executives. Next, our Support Engineer Malcolm Lynch shredded an amazing guitar solo with stunning vocals to match. Wrapping things up, our Senior Key Account Manager Paul Hughes serenaded us with not one, but two solos on the cello. We’re always in awe of the amazing talent Rechargers have in their roles and these recitals are no exception, jaws were on the floor!
Candid Chat with Black Tech Leaders
Leaders in the BLACK@Recharge ERG sat down with tech partners to discuss career development, being black in tech, life, and anything in between. With questions like “How do you value mentorship in your career development?” and “What plans are you looking forward to this year?”, our eye-opening chat was as honest as it was engaging. Special thanks to these talented partners for sharing their stories:
Adam Semien – Senior Partnership Channel Manager @ BigCommerce
Myles Young– Software Developer @ Shopify
Charles Kuykendoll – Global Lead, Talent Brand + Events @ Stripe
