Roads to Success
One month ago, five panelists were invited by the AHANA Management Academy and FACES to discuss barriers they faced as minorities in the workplace.
The panel:
Stalin Colinet - Northwestern Financial, former NFL player
Dante Cunningham - John Hancock Audit Dept., graduate of Northeastern University
Julio - Delioitte Consultant
Dr. Lily Albert - FACES
Danielle Wells - BC Admission Office
With experiences in environments ranging from sports to education to office, these panelists gave BC students a solid understanding of the barriers still present today. For the most part, it seems misunderstandings about culture dominate.
"He asked, 'How do you get your hair like that?' I could have taken this offensively, but if I had done that then neither of us would be better off. Instead, by letting him know that it's not intentional but actually natural for those of my race, he gained some information and I kept clean the image he and others have of those of my race. Sometimes, as a minority, you are the representation for those of your ethnicity and so others will judge based on their experiences with you."
Such perspectives and insights gave BC students valuable tools for being successful and good representative of their ethnicity. As ability is already expected of BC students, their new measurements are taken from how they interact with their peers. For AHANA students, there is even more pressure to be understanding and open. Sometimes, its not just about spreading your own culture but also learning about someone else's culture, as one panelist said. Minorities pave the way for other minorities and a bad experience could shut doors for newcomers.
In this one evening, students learned of the valuable position they hold in society and the power they command simply by being one of the first. The AHANA Management Academy and FACES thank the panelists for taking time to tell students about their very personal experiences. They are once again paving the way for minorities.
