GDIT’s celebration of Black History Month was led by our Black Employee Network (BEN) employee resource group. We hosted several meaningful events throughout the month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Black Americans, reflect on our progress toward a more diverse, equitable and inclusive society, and encourage empowerment and personal development.
Jylinda Johnson, Vice President and General Manager of the Government Operations, Commerce and Global Citizen Services sector in our Federal Civilian division, also serves as BEN’s Executive Sponsor. Jylinda noted, “BEN’s mission is to provide opportunity for our members’ engagement, awareness, and development, to serve our communities, promote inclusivity, attract diverse talent, and ensure equity for all. As we do every year, we will come together this month as one GDIT to reflect on the resilience, strength, and achievements of those who paved the road to today.”
Celebrating Becoming Our Best Selves
The theme for the BEN professional development events this year was “Leaping into Your Best Self.” These events offered opportunities to network and give, and were centered around tapping into your best self. We started the month off strong with a conversation between Chinwe Esimai, an award-winning lawyer, corporate executive, author and speaker, Angela Butler, GDIT Capture Director in the Defense division and co-lead of BEN, along with Capture Manager, Ronald Harris. Chinwe emphasized the importance of mentorship, taking ownership over your career and tapping into your passion. Aside from the in-person audience, hundreds of GDIT employees tuned in virtually to hear the inspiring conversation.
The group also had a chance to hear from GDIT’s talent acquisition team about the partnership between employee resource groups and recruiting. Talent Acquisition Specialist, Senior Advisor and BEN Advisory Council member, Wil Lash, interviewed GDIT’s new Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Internal Mobility, Peter Brooks, on his Talent Acquisition strategy, vision for DEI, and unwavering commitment to radical inclusivity.
Celebrating Continued Excellence
A highlight of our Black History Month celebration each year is the Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) STEM Conference and Awards. This year, GDIT was thrilled to honor 19 employees who were awarded the Modern-Day Technology Leader and Science Spectrum Trailblazer Awards. These prestigious awards recognize bright men and women who are shaping the future of engineering and science through cutting-edge technology and research. We are immensely proud of the contributions these brilliant individuals have made to our programs and their dedication to the mission.
“It was inspiring, motivating, and rewarding - and to have had the opportunity to be in a front-row seat to help shape an experience that says, 'we see you and we value you,’ and seeing their appreciation, is soul-shaking for me! This is what a company with a soul looks like.”
Celebrating One Another
At the outset of Black History Month, GDIT President Amy Gilliland noted that “BEN is really thoughtful about putting on events that are helping us thrive in our career, feel a part of something bigger, and celebrate all the contributions that the Black community is making and has made.”
Our Black Employee Network worked hard this month on engaging events and opportunities for employees to connect, a cookbook collaboration, winter-weather clothing drive that culminated in a end-of-month celebration. We finished out the month strong by embracing the National Black History Month theme, "African Americans in the Arts," with a showcase of our GDIT employees’ talent in visual arts, music, and cultural movement. We celebrated hidden talents in the arts and bringing your whole self to work. Each year brings new and engaging events our employees appreciate, and fosters connection at GDIT.
