Life at BlackLine—Celebrating Black History Month

At BlackLine, we celebrate diversity, inclusion, and belonging every day and strive to build a culture that lifts everyone up. We invite you to join us in exploring the profound significance of Black History Month—an annual journey of reflection and celebration that encourages us to acknowledge the contributions, resilience, and cultural richness of the Black community. As a company, it also urges us to recognize, appreciate, and honor the diverse voices that drive our success.

Marcus Stewart, Principal Product Manager at BlackLine, says, “I celebrate Black History Month to show appreciation for the struggles and achievements of our ancestors, which provide the foundation for my family's successes, current and future.”

Taran Johnson, Manager, Implementation at BlackLine, explains, “At BlackLine, diversity, inclusion, and belonging are a means for innovation, progress, and inclusion. Celebrating Black History Month is important to me because it reminds me of what we have overcome and where we have the potential to go. This month is an opportunity for me to delve into my family's history, understand their struggles, and appreciate the blessings that have brought us to where we are today.”

Black History Month offers an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about racial barriers that continue to exist today. One of the many ways BlackLiners support each other and bring awareness of important matters to others in the company is through our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). These groups help us build deeper connections, live our values, and support growth across our organization. Members support an inclusive culture that has an impact within BlackLine and in our communities.  

“Our ERGs support and shape our inclusive culture where differences are valued, employees are treated with dignity and respect, and all are empowered to contribute to a positive and fun workplace,” explained Manager of Optimization Consultation Sharhonda Rush. 

One ERG, in particular, is a driver of BlackLine’s support of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. The BIPOC ERG—a non-discriminatory employee resource group—empowers and connects BIPOC and allies and supports professional development through group discussions and resources. The individuals involved in this group are pursuing a culture that ensures diversity, inclusion, equality, and equity for all. It was established to create an environment for members to maximize their potential via group discussions, collaboration, and self-development resource offerings, with goals of personal empowerment and professional development.

When every employee brings something different to the table, it's a strategic advantage. We know that a diverse workforce fosters an environment rich in creativity and problem-solving, as individuals bring unique insights that challenge conventional thinking.

When asked ‘why are you proud to work at BlackLine?’ Marcus explains, “I am proud to work at BlackLine because I truly appreciate our culture, which is based on respect for our fellow co-workers and our shared knowledge, while also providing the best service to our clients, which is why most of our customers seem to love working with BlackLine.”

Taran adds, “I am proud to work at BlackLine because it is an innovative and ever-growing business. We not only get to bring a product to the market that is truly needed, but we get to help Accountants have a better work/life balance. I get to make a tangible difference in people's lives.”

As a customer-focused company, our goal is to serve and deliver our best every day. By embracing a variety of backgrounds, we’re able to tap into a wide variety of qualities and skills that are essential in navigating the complexities of today's global markets.

Businesses that support diversity are shown to succeed. In fact, McKinsey & Company notes, “Our latest analysis reaffirms the strong business case for both gender diversity and ethnic and cultural diversity in corporate leadership—and shows that this business case continues to strengthen. The most diverse companies are now more likely than ever to outperform less diverse peers on profitability.”

Black History Month reminds us of our capacity to heal, hope, and live with purpose and resolve. BlackLine is proud to celebrate, and we will continue to advance a culture of inclusion that empowers BlackLiners to think, create, serve, and deliver in a workplace where you can be yourself and be a positive influence. 

“At BlackLine, I feel like I can make a difference, that my voice matters, and that each of us brings value to the table,” Taran concludes.