ABOUT
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
In 1976, the U.S. government introduced Black History Month in conjunction with the nation’s bicentennial to honor the achievements and cultural richness of the African-American community. Today, more than 44.5 million U.S. citizens identify as black. Join us as we celebrate the gifts, voices and legacy of this diverse population.
OUR COLLEAGUES
Cultural achievements of African Americans can be traced through many generations of prominent thinkers, activists, business leaders, artists and musicians. Black History Month is a special time to celebrate the legacy of those rich contributions and their impact today. We asked members of ONYX – a Macy’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture for black colleagues at the company – to share their views on the legacy they hope to leave at home and in the office.
Jared C.
Associate Merchandise
Planner
Keva S.
GVP/DMM, Center Core &
Home, Macy's Backstage
Sam F.
Assistant Buyer,
Kids' Active
Jamila J.
Design
Assistant
Abigail J.
GVP
Marketing Strategy
Jared C.
Associate Merchandise
Planner
Q. What do you want your legacy to be
in your professional or personal life?
A. In my professional life, I strive to debunk the stereotypes and
stigmas associated with black men. I’d like to be an example of
someone who achieved enormous success without compromising
who they are. In my personal life, I want to be positive a role model
[who] passes down knowledge to the youth. I have had so many
black people inspire me to be great, I just want to pay that forward.
Q. How do you celebrate Black History
Month?
A. I attend and participate in as many Black History Month events as
possible. Macy’s and ONYX have always done a great job of creating
and facilitating a lot of events with many successful and influential
black voices.
Keva S.
GVP/DMM, Center Core &
Home, Macy's Backstage
Q. What do you want your legacy to be
in your professional or personal life?
A. The legacy I want to continue is the Macy’s MLK National Day of
Service. As co-executive sponsor of the New York chapter of the
ONYX ERG, we started the inaugural event at the Cathedral Church of
St. John the Divine in 2018. The group—plus many other Macy’s
colleagues—volunteered to serve food at the soup kitchen, distributed
personal hygiene items to the less fortunate and led Black History
Month-inspired learning events for underprivileged children.
Q. How do you celebrate Black History
Month?
A. At home, I talk to my daughters about the great black inventors,
thought leaders, athletes, doctors, civil rights leaders and teachers
and the impact they have had on our nation and the world. I also talk
about oppression and how blacks (and many other minorities) are still
overcoming the oppression now. I encourage them to be accepting
and celebrate cultural differences.
Sam F.
Assistant Buyer,
Kids' Active
Q. What do you want your legacy to be
in your professional or personal life?
A. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “Make a career of
humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You
will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your
country, and a finer world to live in.” The quote inspires me to
approach every interaction as an opportunity to make the world
better for someone else—both at home and in the office.
Q. How do you celebrate Black History
Month?
A. I always start the month sharing [with my direct team] the
Juneteenth holiday, which I would celebrate growing up in Texas.
This year I’m excited for the upcoming opportunities with ONYX.
During the month of February and the balance of the year, we’ll be
actively volunteering and giving back to the community.
Jamila J.
Design
Asistant
Q. What do you want your legacy to be
in your professional or personal life?
A. As a designer for INC at Macy’s and for my own personal brand,
I’m passionate and about being able to use my voice and unique
perspective as a black woman in my creative field. It’s important for
me to inspire and support future generations of creatives like others
have done for me.
Q. How do you celebrate Black History
Month?
A. I enjoy supporting black artists and professionals by going to
concerts, fashion shows, etc. Most importantly, the way I celebrate
helps spread awareness to people who may not know much about
Black History Month or our community and its prominent historical
figures.
Abigail J.
GVP
Marketing Strategy
Q. What do you want your legacy to be
in your professional or personal life?
A. In my professional career and personal life, I look to continue the
legacy of innovation, hard work, commitment and leadership. I
balance being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and so many
more roles. Plus, I have been focused on being a good person,
neighbor and parent.
Q. How do you celebrate Black History
Month?
A. I celebrate black history all year! I am a voracious reader, political
science student, art enthusiast, music lover and a road-tripping
woman that loves to learn and discover. Black History Month is an
opportunity for me to share those interests beyond my immediate
family to others in the community.
HOW WE CELEBRATED IN 2018
DIVERSITY EVERY DAY
Our commitment to diversity is an integral part of our strategy. Macy’s believes that different perspectives help drive creativity and innovation.
