We at the Office of Career Services (OCS) affirm that #BlackLivesMatter and acknowledge systemic racism in our society as well as the inequities and injustices faced by the Black community in particular. In the wake of the recent tragic killings, and too many other Black lives before them, we join our students and colleagues in the work being done to dismantle systemic racism and to support Black members of our community.
At the Office of Career Services (OCS), we acknowledge that career advancement is a social justice issue. Having only four Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies is not acceptable in corporate America in 2020. OCS believes that the diversity of our community strengthens and enriches our campus. OCS is committed to serving students of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences (including and not limited to gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, nationality, socioeconomic status, and disability). We recognize that issues of identity and career often intersect, and that diverse students may face specific challenges, including systemic racism, as they become professionals navigating career opportunities and the workplace environment.
We would like to call attention to the statement on racial injustice by Dr. John Silvanus Wilson, Senior Adviser and Strategist to the President, Office for Diversity Inclusion and Belonging at Harvard. We shared below the resources compiled by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, which include resources for learning about systemic racism and healing from race-related trauma.
We also invite you to review the OCS Resources for Diverse Populations below to get an idea of some of the resources and programs designed to recruit and support diverse talent in the workplace. We will be enhancing our Resources for Diverse Populations and invite our students and colleagues to partner with us on programming dedicated to discussing diversity and inclusion and supporting diverse talent in the workplace. We especially recognize the need for specific programming for our Black students and look forward to growing our collaborations with Black Harvard alumni and student organizations.
Resources from the Harvard Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging:
Learning about Systemic Racism
- Fighting Anti-Blackness Resource List (Harvard Women in Tech + Allies)
- Initiative for Institutional Anti-racism and Accountability (Harvard Kennedy School of Government)
- Talking About Race (National Museum of African American History and Culture)
- Understanding and Dismantling Racism: A Booklist for White Readers (Charis Books)
Healing from Race-related Trauma
- The Steve Fund: Mental Health for Students of Color (The Steve Fund)
- Self-Care Tips for Black People Who Are Struggling With This Very Painful Week (Vice)
- Four Self-Care Resources for Days When the World is Terrible (Color Lines)
Black CEOs source: Business Insider, 2/28/20
Harvard College Black Student Association (BSA) student-compiled resources
*Please note that the list of resources below is meant to serve as a starting point, and as such is not exhaustive.