BLOG POST11 MINUTES
We Are Nexthink: Celebrating Black History Month
Welcome back to another edition of We Are Nexthink! In this series, we go behind-the-scenes to shine the spotlight on the workers who help make Nexthink such an incredible community.
In this special edition, we’re celebrating Black History Month with:
- Sheena Hargrove (Solutions Consultant)
- Niyi Olopade (Business Development Representative)
- Tamra Cooper (Emerging Talent & Diversity Programs Specialist)
Keep reading for this candid and illuminating conversation with three superstar Nexthinkers!
Tell us a little bit about your role at Nexthink – what team do you work on? Where are you located? How long have you been at Nexthink? How do you describe what you do for a job to a friend/family member who has no clue who we are or what we do?
- Sheena: I have been with Nexthink for 10 months as a Solution Consultant and I currently reside in Atlanta, GA. I have over 14 years of technology experience and an extensive background in end user computing. In short, I explain to friends and family that I’m responsible for understanding a company’s (B2B) technological needs and pain points, and crafting unique solutions to address those concerns. I try to keep it simple!
- Niyi: I work on the BDR team based in London, covering parts of the UK, Ireland, and the Nordics. I became a Nexthinker in March of 2020. The best way I describe what we do at Nexthink is to help employees of large organizations have a great digital experience and to ensure they can carry out their jobs seamlessly and without IT issues.
- Tamra: I have been with Nexthink for about 1 ½ years, and originally started on our BDR team. I transitioned to the Talent Acquisition team at the end of 2021, helping to recruit and hire emerging talent, but also to help develop our DEI initiatives and our internal Diversity Committee and Diversity Dialogues programs.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Nexthink?
- Sheena: My favorite thing about working at Nexthink is meeting and collaborating with so many great global minds. Everyone is willing to share their expertise and assist where needed. The company has a strong foundation of collaboration and innovation. I’m excited to continue to grow and learn with such a dynamic team.
- Niyi: The sense of belonging and the company culture. Everyone in the team has been welcoming from the get-go.
- Tamra: My favorite thing about working at Nexthink is the people. In my experience, the people here have great energy, have always been welcoming, kind and supportive. I get to work with people in multiple countries and everyone truly wants to learn and grow in their time here.
What is a project or something you’ve worked on at Nexthink that you’re most proud of & why?
- Sheena: I am currently a part of the VDI SME team. It has been great working with the global team and understanding how we integrate and gather information from the different VDI systems. We have very spirited discussions regarding the direction of the VDI landscape and new enhancements to include in the product roadmap.
- Tamra: One project I am proud of at my time here at Nexthink was the first panel I helped coordinate for the Diversity Committee for Black History Month. It was the first time Nexthink had celebrated Black History Month, and it gave our Black employees a chance to share their real-life experience in everyday life and in the corporate world. We dove into microaggressions and shed light on what it feels like to be in a room where not everyone looks like you. The panel received a lot of positive feedback in terms of gaining a new perspective on the Black experience and our colleagues wanting to learn how to be better allies and educate themselves moving forward. That panel is what launched me into my role here at Nexthink. To know I have some impact in helping us take steps to improve DEI in the workplace is a feeling I am proud of.
This month we’re celebrating Black History Month, and as always, we’re striving to improve DEI in the workplace. In your view, why is it so important for companies to champion and prioritize DEI?
- Sheena: It is vital that organizations improve their DEI strategies and programming. It is the responsibility of companies to ensure their policies are inclusive and equitable for all employees. The research shows that organizations who prioritize and truly value diversity and inclusion have an increase in collaboration, innovation, and profitability.
Although we have seen some progress made with the new wave of DEI initiatives…. there must be a more concerted effort to achieve a more balanced and fair eco-system. In order to achieve this, company leadership teams must set and champion new initiatives and goals to attract, retain and promote diverse talent throughout the organization. - Niyi: For years DEI was considered an afterthought, so it’s great to see companies champion and prioritize DEI. As companies prioritize DEI, it creates greater opportunities for disadvantaged minorities, giving hope to future generations to strive for roles that previously they wouldn’t have been considered for.
- Tamra: It is so important for companies to champion and prioritize DEI in the workplace because it makes an incredible impact on the employee experience, which in turn, makes an impact on the success of a company. BUT it’s not about just checking a box! It’s about realizing that DEI is a human thing, and we have to bring the multifaceted human experience and perspective to the workplace. Learning about our human experience and embracing/celebrating our differences is what is going to help nurture a more inclusive and collaborative environment.
A diverse workforce only brings positive things! It brings more diverse thought, experiences, perspectives, skillsets and insights. It increases creativity, innovation, and productivity. Not only that, but having representation across your organization and leadership, shows employees they are more likely to be heard, recognized, and valued. That feeling can boost an employee’s confidence when expressing their ideas and impact how long they stay with a company. When employees of different backgrounds are given equal opportunities and feel truly valued, it ultimately improves your company’s overall performance and bottom line. But most importantly, your employees’ happiness! It’s also just the right thing to do. 😊
As we celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black leaders and the community overall, who has made a significant impact on you? What can we learn from their contributions?
- Sheena: There are far too many influences to name them all. Some are well-known activists and leaders, and others are personal friends and family members. I completely understand that I stand on the shoulders of giants who have come before me. The common theme across these groups of individuals is “To whom much is given, much is required.” This means we should utilize our talents, knowledge, and ability to the highest extend and educate others along the way for a better future.
- Niyi: A leader of the community who has made a significant impact on me is Sir Lewis Hamilton, for trailblazing in a sport that is so elitist. He is consistently breaking records and making history with undeniable grace and humility in the face of adversity.
- Tamra: This is tough as there are so many Black leaders and influencers who have made a significant impact on my mindset and outlook. But one influential person in particular is Maya Angelou. She defied all odds and succeeded even when life had the odds stacked against her. She spoke her mind through her writing, and her intelligence, perseverance, and courage impact me to this day. One of my favorite quotes of hers is from her poem, “Our Grandmothers,” where she says, “I come as one, but I stand as 10,000.” It is a reminder that no matter what room I am in, or issue I come across, I know that I have all my ancestors standing behind me, encouraging me, pushing me, and helping me make it through. That quote will stick with me forever.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside the workplace? How did you get into them?
- Sheena: I have always held a passion for the arts from participating in a variety of activities such as plays, bands, and concert choirs. I have created and recorded music and most recently I have started branching into another area of the arts, like interior design. I thoroughly enjoy creating different aesthetics and vibes to enhance the consumption of a particular room or space. In my opinion engineering and arts are intertwined as they both involve creating and building something unique.
- Niyi: One of my main hobbies outside the workplace is cooking. I also run a small food/condiments brand through social media, where I try to make ‘cultural enlightenment’ in the kitchen and beyond simple. As part of this brand, I run cookery workshops and have a range of condiments stocked in various locations around London.
- Tamra: Some of my hobbies outside of the workplace are drawing, traveling, dancing, giving back to my community and spending time with family and friends! I’ve always loved tapping into my creative side, so I draw and sketch fashion designs in my spare time. Traveling always brings me joy, so when I can travel, I always take in a moment of gratitude and being fortunate enough to see a new place or country. Giving back also brings me joy, so helping a team launch Community Vibes Framingham has helped me learn a lot about what is going on close to home, and how we can be a voice for underrepresented groups in our community. It has been truly rewarding! But when it comes down to it, there’s no better time that I have than when I am with my family and friends. They are so important to me and truly make life worthwhile – forever grateful!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
- Sheena: One piece of advice that I stand by is “your network is your net worth.” I have been fortunate to build and establish great relationships throughout my career. These relationships have resulted in multiple job opportunities and unique personal development experiences at different stages of my career. I have a strong network of mentors and advocates who have empowered and encouraged me to excel in my personal and professional endeavors.
- Niyi: “Your word is your bond.”
- Tamra: The best piece of advice or quote I have ever heard is “Never a failure, always a lesson.” I absolutely love this quote because it is a reminder to see the silver lining in everything. It took me a long time to realize, the more you fail, the more you learn. Only growth can come from failing, and I feel each time we do, it is working in our favor. So always give yourself grace, know that it is okay to fail, and we can only go up from here!
