*Three Minute Read (Para leer en español, haga clic aquí)

My role at LUNA has many facets.  One is to foster growth and opportunities for our staff about a myriad of subjects.  Another is to create space for brave and challenging conversations.  And in everything I do, I make an effort to further our company’s core values, one being diversity, equity, and inclusion.

I’ve spent a lot of time over the past few weeks trying to plan and understand how to best honor and share Black History Month at LUNA.  With all that has come to light over the last year and the spotlight on the depth and length of inequities to the Black community, I knew it had to be acknowledged. But I also questioned the appropriate way to do so. And questioned if, as a white woman, if I am the right person to lead the charge?  Am I qualified? Am I capable of doing it well?

I’ve decided my role is to begin the conversation and curate information around Black History Month, Black culture, and Black Lives Matter. I believe it is also my responsibility to identify and share Black voices that are better equipped than I to share stories and explain how white people can do better in supporting and honoring the Black community.

So, I decided to take advantage of our staff chat each morning to share resources honoring the Black community. They won’t be the typical Black History Month figures many of us learned about in grade school; rather I will focus on lesser-known individuals and events, as well as individuals whose lives have been tragically cut short or impacted simply because they were Black. I’ll also be sharing information on Black-owned businesses our staff can support.

I also encouraged the staff to share any resources they would like included. And maybe more importantly, I requested if I say or share anything they find questionable in any way, to please let me know. Part of my commitment to becoming an anti-racist is addressing things with others that I find questionable. I would hope and asked them to do the same with me.

I am also continuing our 21-day Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program with small groups within LUNA. We frequently create space for conversations and provide an outlet to simply talk, share, and help others process all they are experiencing.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” And Brene Brown said, “I’m here to get it right.  Not to be right.”

I’m keeping both of these quotes top of mind as I walk through this month, and honestly life as a whole. No one ever has all of the answers.  And everyone makes mistakes. If we go into all situations with the mindset of doing our best, understanding our limitations, and being open to learning from others, we can learn, grow, and create a culture of inclusion and love.

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 Stevie Cromer is the Cultural and Enrichment Manager for LUNA Language Services. Stevie regularly provides engaging content to LUNA’s team to encourage a culture of care within our own LUNA family. For more suggestions and resources about how you might build a culture of care throughout your organization, please reach out to Stevie at stevie@LUNA360.com.