Celebrating Black History Month - Working in an Inclusive Environment
By Whitney Wilber, Global Employer Brand Marketing Communication Specialist
Black History Month is a time for recognizing the central role of African-Americans in US history, for Cummins, it is also about highlighting the significance of diversity & inclusion. In honor of Black History Month, we’ve invited employees to share their personal stories, helping others to understand what this month represents, as well as the importance of an inclusive workplace year round.
Employee Highlight: Jacquelyn Robinson (Jacquie), Talent Management Functional Excellence Manager / Global Performance Management Business Process Owner (HR Function)
Years at Cummins: 7.5
“Black History Month is a time where we can all reflect upon those events of the past that impact our present and our future. It is a time for those who are black to appreciate the foundation that our ancestors have created for us to build upon. It is a time for those of other ethnicities to embrace the contributions of their peers within the black race and appreciate the opportunities that we all have to make a difference in this world. Black History Month is a time of reflection, recognition, and restoration of common values that open doors for a better tomorrow.”
Understanding the value of diversity inside Cummins…
“My role at Cummins directly impacts our greatest asset: our people. As a manager in the Corporate Talent Management department and the business process owner for Performance Management, diversity is inextricably linked to everything that I do. Engaging diverse perspectives from my peers, leadership team, and other functional talent management groups is critical to sustain a credible process that meets Cummins needs and the needs of our employees. Being aware of relative changes in Talent Management, driven by workforce demographics and a basic need to stay current or excel in the industry is also a critical diversity factor. We must continually challenge ourselves to look outside our organizational walls in order to continue to attract the best talent globally and to develop and retain critical competencies and capabilities for Cummins to be world-class. Ensuring an individualized approach to key processes like Performance Management, recognizing the uniqueness of every employee, is the epitome of our Diversity core value.”
Feeling pride working within an inclusive environment…
“There have been several times when I have felt proud to be a part of the inclusive work environment at Cummins. When I started my career at Cummins in the Engine Business, Parts and ReCon organization, I wanted to get involved in something other than my day-to-day responsibilities. I opted to co-lead the Local Diversity Council which was a great opportunity to form relationships and contribute to our right environment efforts. Our council implemented a program called “Pass the Plate.” We picked a staple food item common to multiple cultures, rice for example, and asked our peers to participate in a pitch-in luncheon where they used the item in a dish from their culture. It was amazing to experience the global cuisine within the walls of Cummins. We had dishes from India, Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Haiti, New Orleans, Germany, the United States and more. This was one of the most inclusive events I have participated in that had a major impact on my perspective of Cummins as a place where we could truly embrace diversity. The event was such a success that we continued with an expanded format to learn about different cultures each month. There are so many different opportunities, both small and large, at Cummins where employees can get involved in something of personal interest and feel included. This is what truly makes Cummins a great place to work.”
Living your values at Cummins…
“At Cummins, I am treated with compassion, dignity, and respect for my contributions and commitment to the organization. This is invaluable because it is not about who I am, but what I do that matters. I can live my personal values and prioritize my life around what matters to me most, beginning with my faith and my family. Everything else falls into place accordingly.”
Learn more about how our employees make a difference and how you could make an impact at Cummins by visiting careers.cummins.com, and check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Author Profiles
Whitney Wilber, Global Employer Brand Marketing Communication Specialist
Whitney Wilber is the Global Employer Brand Marketing Communication Specialist for Cummins Inc. Whitney joined the Company in 2010 and previously supported off-highway marketing communications for Cummins Emission Solutions. Prior to joining Cummins, Whitney specialized in advertising, marketing and public relations for one of the largest convenience store chains North America, as well as account management for a small, Kentucky-based agency. She earned her B.A. at Indiana State University and currently resides in Columbus, Indiana.