IKEA Canada is celebrating the voices and success stories of people from the Black community this Black History Month and beyond.
This month, the furniture chain launched a content series on its intranet that highlighted the stories of its employees from the Black community. It featured four employees’ stories each week on its internal and external social media channels, as well as on television screens within co-worker areas.
Hundreds of IKEA employees and customers engaged with the series online, said John Williams, the organization’s equality, diversity and inclusion leader in Canada, in an email to Benefits Canada. “Last year, featured Black History Month co-worker stories were among content that drove some of our strongest engagement among co-workers.”
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For IKEA stores keen to do more and support further engagement among their teams, the organization also shared local activity resources and thought-starters. For example, the Calgary store dedicated an area to showcase diverse stories, photos and flags from co-workers of varied international heritage. “To date, hundreds of co-workers have seen and celebrated the installation that was also showcased via Yammer.”
As well, nearly 150 employees attended a speaker session with Nike Onile, a spatial artist and designer from the Black community. Employees who attended were actively engaged in the conversation, which included compelling stories and smart tips, added Williams.
IKEA’s Black History Month events are just a few of the programming that falls under the company’s wider diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, which is focused on sharing the stories of untold voices. “Stories shape how we see ourselves and everyone around us. We see these diverse stories as an opportunity to spark dialogue, educate our customers and co-workers and to allow for the inclusion and belonging that we’re committed to.”
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