About the Author

Rod McDonald
Vice President Enterprise Applications, Aimbridge Hospitality
Quest Board Member and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair

As individuals and members of the Quest community, we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all. Quest has a history as a diverse and inclusive organization, as we believe our community is stronger and more valuable to its members because of its diverse make-up. I am excited to chair Quest’s DEI Committee this year as Quest works to ensure our beliefs on this matter are reinforced and operationalized in organizational behavior that endures. We’ve got a full year of DEI programming planned and you can learn more about our plans by reading my 2024 DEI programming overview. One of the many months we will honor is Black History Month, which is what I want to highlight in this message.

Black History Month is a crucial annual observance that celebrates the rich and diverse contributions of African Americans to the cultural, social, economic, and political fabric of the United States and beyond. Recognized every February, this month serves as a dedicated time and reminder to highlight the often overlooked achievements, struggles, and triumphs of the Black community.

One key importance of Black History Month lies in its role in fostering a more inclusive and accurate understanding of American history. By shedding light on the significant contributions of Black individuals throughout history, it challenges historical narratives that have marginalized or omitted these achievements. This recognition helps create a more comprehensive and truthful narrative that benefits everyone.

Moreover, Black History Month serves as a platform for education and dialogue, fostering awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the Black community. It provides an opportunity for individuals to engage in conversations about racism, inequality, and the ongoing fight for civil rights.

Celebrating Black History Month is not just about acknowledging the past; it is a call to action for promoting equality, justice, and a more inclusive future. By amplifying the voices and stories of Black trailblazers, this observance encourages a society that values diversity and works towards dismantling systemic barriers. In essence, Black History Month is a crucial steppingstone towards building a more equitable and united society.

While Black History Month is only the month of February there are several resources available to ensure that you and your organization are learning valuable information about diversity in tech but also honoring the African American Community throughout the year.

Black Girls Code
Black Girls Code is devoted to showing the world that black girls can code and do so much more. By reaching out to the community through workshops and after school programs, Black Girls CODE introduces computer coding lessons to young girls from underrepresented communities in programming languages such as Scratch or Ruby on Rails. Black Girls CODE has set out to prove to the world that girls of every color have the skills to become the programmers of tomorrow. By promoting classes and programs we hope to grow the number of women of color working in technology and give underprivileged girls a chance to become the masters of their technological worlds.

Blacks in Technology
Blacks In Technology is the largest community and media organization that focuses on black women and black men in the technology industry. Through community-focused activities, events and media, Blacks In Technology (BIT) is “Stomping the Divide” by establishing a blueprint of world-class technical excellence and innovation by providing resources and guidance.

Information Technology Senior Management Forum
ITSMF’s mission is to increase the representation of black professionals at senior levels in technology, to impact organizational innovation and growth. By 2020, ITSMF will graduate 500 professionals through a series of rich, development, and career-advancing programs.

All Star Code
All Star Code is an organization that teaches computer science skills to young Black men and aims to create “economic opportunity by developing a new generation of boys and young men of color with an entrepreneurial mindset who have the tools they need to succeed in a technological world.”

Thank you for joining Quest in celebrating Black History Month.

Regards,
Rod