Black History Month, observed in the United States every February, has been a federally recognized celebration since 1976, but its origins date back much earlier. In 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.
In 1926, the group sponsored “Negro History Week” during the second week of February, meant to coincide with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The celebration of Black and African-American contributions to history and society has grown ever since.
Michael Li-Seabrooks, head of experience optimization at MassMutual says that to him, Black History Month is about three things: reflection, education and elevation. The month offers an opportunity to reflect on contributions made by Black Americans, continue to deepen our education about diversity and inclusion, and expand the attention we pay to Black culture and innovation.
At MassMutual, diversity and inclusion is a year-round focus. The company partners with MLK Jr. Family Services in Springfield, MA, helped to install a statue honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King through the Embrace Boston project last year, and is a partner with CEO Action for Racial Equity, dedicated to advancing racial equity through public policy and corporate engagement.
Celebrating Black history and working toward diversity and inclusion is personal as well as public. At MassMutual, individual diversity is taken into consideration, too.
“Company medical plan participants who identify as members of the Black and/or LGBTQ+ communities can access one-on-one specialized health advocacy,” Li-Seabrooks said.
From public celebrations to individualized health advocacy, MassMutual is celebrating Black history by leveraging their power to ensure fertile Black futures.
MassMutual is a mutual life insurance company that provides investment management and trust services.
What does Black History Month mean to you personally?
I conceptualize its meaning with three words: reflection, education and elevation.
First, reflection. The month brings the opportunity to look back on history both recent and distant. It’s a chance to truly appreciate the great sacrifices that made today’s opportunities possible.
Next, education. I think of education first through the lens of myself and my family. It also refers to friends and allies along their diversity and inclusion journey. They may be trying to learn more about history and grow more connected to the community.
For example, for Black History Month, our Passages Business Resource Group, which strives to foster a culturally competent and inclusive workplace that enables the advancement of Black and African American employees, is hosting a panel discussion that all MassMutual employees are welcome to join. It will feature several company founders from the Catalyst Fund, MassMutual’s impact investing fund dedicated to Black-led companies and overlooked entrepreneurs in Massachusetts.
It’s about more than just one month, it’s all year long. There’s so much rich culture to dive into, and people should appreciate and celebrate that.”
Lastly, elevation. It’s about more than just one month, it’s all year long. There’s so much rich culture to dive into, and people should appreciate and celebrate that.
How does your company celebrate Black History Month?
We support and work with MLK Jr. Family Services in Springfield, MA, which provides multicultural services, social and economic justice and advocacy for children and families.
We’re also involved with the Embrace Boston project, which brought the statue honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King to Boston last year. Through this partnership, MassMutual donated $1 million to the nonprofit Embrace Boston, which will be used to help create a Center for Economic Justice in Roxbury, MA.
Since 2020, we’ve been a proud partner of CEO Action for Racial Equity, a fellowship dedicated to advancing racial equity through public policy and corporate engagement. We joined over 100 other companies in this important coalition.
We will also be hosting a screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary short The Barber of Little Rock, which was funded in part by the MassMutual Foundation.
There are many more areas of support, including our engagement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We’ve built multifaceted partnerships with several HBCUs that include everything from scholarships and internships to MassMutual campus ambassadors and recruitment opportunities.
What are the other ways your employer works to make your workplace more equitable, diverse, and discrimination-free year-round?
One way is through the creation and support of our BRGs. I’m the incoming chair of the Passages BRG, and there are seven additional BRGs, open to allies and representing Black/African American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino/Latinx communities; members of the LGBTQ+ community; individuals with disabilities and their caregivers; members of the armed forces, veterans, and military family members; young professionals; and women.
We want to help our members grow in their careers through mentorship, expand our talent pipeline and help support our business overall. The name ‘business resource group’ is intentional.
Also, as part of our suite of holistic and flexible benefits, MassMutual offers free, confidential mental health resources to all employees and members of their household. Company medical plan participants who identify as members of the Black and/or LGBTQ+ communities can access one-on-one specialized health advocacy.
What’s more, our well-being wallet reimburses employees up to $1,250 per year for eligible expenses in support of our holistic well-being. I think having the flexibility to choose what works for each of us makes for a more equitable employee experience.
