February 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month. Here at Guerrero, Black History Month is not just an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many, many contributions the Black and African American community has made to the United States, but to also serve as a reminder of the importance of unity and solidarity.
Our organization was founded on the idea of celebrating diverse executives and how they are literally changing the face of corporate America. The idea of celebrating diversity in the workforce also extends to our very own employees, and we remain fiercely proud of our diverse organization and the perspective each and every person at Guerrero brings to the table.
Here are testimonials from our colleagues, as well as leaders we have worked with across our various platforms, on what Black History Month means to each of them.
JAZMYN WILLIAMS
“Black History Month is a collective moment to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the diaspora to benefit us all. It is an ongoing opportunity to elevate a more comprehensive narrative of Black lived experiences, recognizing that our community is both diverse and dynamic.”
Photo credit: Nicole Tyler
Jazmyn Williams is a marketing professional and DEI champion based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to joining The Honey Pot in January 2023, she was the Global Diversity Partnerships Marketing Program Manager at Meta.
TAYLA STUTTLEY
“To me, Black History Month means celebrating and honoring my black brothers and sisters that have come before me and paved the way for so many generations of black children to come. It represents the history of the black community and the pain that our ancestors endured, so that we could live the life we do now. It represents how far we’ve come and how far we have left to go. It celebrates the black culture and our influence on education, music, sports and so many other areas of life. Black History Month is a small piece of the recognition and change that the black community deserves.“
Proud G Squad member
Tayla Stuttley is a Content and Advertising Manager for Guerrero’s Profile magazine. She is a graduate of Minnesota State University, where she studied business.
RAYMOND SIFFEL
“What does Black History Month mean to me?
As I have gotten older, the meaning has gained more depth and become more personal.
It is a part of the fabric that makes up my own story. When I think of Black History, I think of my Grandparents and Great Grandparents. I even think about my Mom and Dad and their role in being the generation that desegregated many places, positions, and communities.
I have realized that we are all a part of the creation of Black History, and we are experiencing it every day. It is critical how we select the people we surround ourselves with and the daily choices in both our community and work. We are shaping the course of Black History and the foundations of future generations.”
Photo credit: Angela Garbot
Raymond Siffel is a fintech leader and an expert in the credit card processing space. Raymond is open about his experiences as a gay man and hopes his story will inspire others.
IRIS BIRUNGI PEÑA
“Black History Month is a time to reflect, honor, celebrate, and educate. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the pioneers and leaders who fought for freedom and equality. It’s an opportunity to honor the legacy these leaders have laid for future generations to follow. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of Black people/African Americans and proudly shine a light on their achievements. It’s an opportunity to educate on the Black diaspora’s multifaceted histories and unsung historical figures.
During Black History Month, I pay homage to the pioneers, fighters, and believers who dedicated parts of themselves to better our world. It’s not lost on me the fact that I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for their valiant efforts.
Black History Month reminds us of where we’ve been but also how much work and where we need to go.”
Photo credit: Devon Ambrose
Iris Birungi Peña is a leader in the diversity recruiting space. Prior to her role at Instacart, she led diverse talent acquisition efforts, including campus recruiting, at Bank of America.
KEMP PILE
Proud G Squad member
Kemp G. Pile is a leader within Guerrero’s sales department. He joined Guerrero in 2015 as an account manager after a successful career in the insurance industry.
ENNA JIMENEZ
As an Afro-Latina, I connect with both Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. It is a time where we get to celebrate our ancestors and our current and future leaders. Although it’s a celebration that should occur yearlong, it at least allows us to pause, recognize, highlight and celebrate our wins. I know in the middle of everything that is occurring in this world, we still need to show that we matter and resist the prevalent hatred towards my community. As a daughter of immigrant parents from Dominican Republic, a sister, aunt, cousin, friend to many, I take this time to rejoice and reflect on our past challenges and accomplishments, and also discuss best practices to help our future generation succeed.
Photo credit: Tony Luong
Enna Jimenez is a change champion with over thirty years of expertise in leadership, technology, and transformation management across multiple industries. In 2021, Hispanic Executive identified her as a Leading Latina..
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