February is Black History Month, and to celebrate, Lowe's is highlighting some associates from across the company who tell us what BHM means to them.
Steven Johnson, the Global Director of Culture Diversity & Inclusion at Lowe's, says leadership gives him the unique motivation and responsibility to provide guidance, strategy, and coordination to advance our winning culture to all associates.
Growing up in Detroit, I saw a lot—the good and the bad. It shaped me into who I am today and how I show up for others to create inclusive spaces—that fuels a large part of my motivation. In the workplace, where people come from and represent all different walks of life, it gives us the opportunity to learn about each other and use that knowledge to create a unified company culture because we can all add value if we are given an opportunity to do so. Being a leader in CD&I is essentially being the bridge that brings everyone to a meeting place of uniqueness and understanding to drive toward a common goal or purpose.
Kaila Murry started her journey at Lowe's as a part-time seasonal associate and is now a Store Manager in Rocky Mount, NC.
The engrained factor for me is to see how far we have come as a culture, and what excites me the most is where we are headed. Black History Month gives me much pride. The fun factor is learning new things each year that I didn't know the year before about my heritage and the impact that it has made in the world that we live in today. I strive to be Black History!
Iris Jackson, Sr. Director of HRBP – West Division, is also co-chair of Lowe's Black Business Resource Group, whose mission is to educate and remove barriers to unite through inclusiveness while promoting the value of black talent and its importance on our customers, associates, and communities we serve together, courageously and unapologetically. She says being in a leadership role for the BRG allows her to positively impact and influence the diversity and inclusion efforts at Lowe's.
Being able to help shape and drive the CD&I efforts at Lowe's is truly a rewarding experience. Because Lowe's is a large organization, we often set the tone for diversity and inclusion when we attend community events with the BRGs of other organizations. I proudly wear my Lowe's red vest because of the great work we do at the Black BRG and all of Lowe's BRG's. Whether I am asked to represent Lowe's Black BRG for an awards event, a community partnership event, a job fair at an HBCU, or to review the new seasonal line of products, it is always exciting work!
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