We are committed to fostering a culture that is diverse, equitable and inclusive for our clients, our workforce and the audiences we measure. This Black History Month, we kept true to this commitment by not only celebrating Black history, but also Black history in the making, as today’s Black community remains disproportionately impacted by the global pandemic and continues to fight for racial equality in the U.S.
As we reflected on the impact of last year’s events and how they influence today’s behavior, we found that many Black Americans, as with most people, have turned to their families to get through these challenges. In our latest Diverse Intelligence Series, New Black Family Culture, Navigating Crises Through Content, our Nielsen family explored how, in the past year, many Black families invested in more screen time, more access to content and more programming celebrating Black culture and covering Black identity in America. This study serves as a resource to the media industry and marketers so they can better serve the needs of Black families today.
We also highlighted our Black associates’ stories and experiences this Black History Month as part of our efforts to foster a more inclusive and supportive culture internally. SABLE (Sustaining Active Black Leadership and Empowerment), Nielsen’s Black employee Business Resource Group (BRG), kicked off Black History Month virtually with its “The Black Experience: Driving Diverse Representation, Engagement and Culture” campaign, which aimed to educate our colleagues about what it means to be Black, how to break through bias in our professional life and to celebrate Black culture.
Our associates engaged in informative and community-building activities centered around Black experiences, including a webinar on mental health, a panel highlighting Nielsen senior-level associates, and dialogues exploring the power of representation on and off the screen and the importance of inclusive measurement. A few SABLE members shared their perspectives about what being Black means to them for a video shared company-wide.
“Being Black means having a target on your back and trying very hard not to get hit,” said Tameisha Brown, Senior Project Manager. “It’s pressing on, persevering and celebrating all that is good.”
Although Black History Month has concluded for 2021, our commitment to Black audiences and our Black associates is a year-round endeavor. We will continue to promote insights on Black audiences and promote an inclusive and equitable culture for our Black employees throughout the year.
For additional insights, download our recent The New Black Family Culture: Navigating Culture Through Content report. Learn more about the work Nielsen is doing in African American communities across the U.S.
