2023-February-04

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A Legacy of Resistance

BY ALETA HOWELL · GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION · UNITED STATES

WITH HELEN GALL

5 MINUTE READ · 7 MINUTE LISTEN

Aleta Howell.

I am honored to share my personal journey and what it means to me and my family.

As a leader who embodies Black Resistance and drives positive history in the making, I must encourage others to learn about Black history and reflect on what they can do to push the narrative forward today.

I serve on the Connected Black Professionals (CBP) Global Leadership Team as the Professional Development Pillar Leader. During my 10 years at Cisco, Employee Resource Organizations like CBP have proven to be safe spaces to learn, get involved, and have conversations that build empathy and unity across communities.

My family, background, and education

I grew up with three siblings in a small town in North Carolina. I was very close to my parents and grandparents, all of whom worked in the textiles industry, except for my father, who was a tile setter.

Aleta at age 4.

My identity was heavily influenced by my elders, who served as phenomenal role models, given their work ethic and discipline.

I didn’t recognize it then, but the theme of Black Resistance and strength has always coursed firmly through our blood.

I used to revel in stories like those of my grandmother's grandfather, who escaped from a Georgian plantation during the Civil War at 18 and hid out in the woods for six months before learning of his freedom.

Or those of my grandfather, who experienced racism as a part-time cook in a country club where Black people were not permitted. I knew one day I’d be as strong as them in my own right.

Although none of my family had the opportunity to attend college, my parents always made sure I recognized my intelligence and pushed me to work hard, knowing that discipline and intellect are key ingredients to new heights in life.

That love and support motivated me to attain undergraduate degrees in Economics and Business Management and an MBA on a full fellowship.

My journey to Cisco

Aleta smiles and poses in front of green hills in California

Aleta attending a Cisco Office of Inclusion and Collaboration offsite in California in 2019.

My road to success was rife with barriers that only true leaders overcome. While in graduate school, the racism I experienced really impacted my self-confidence. Later, as I tried to juggle my career and two newborn babies, I quickly learned that leadership at my previous employer was not supportive of my requests to work remotely.

In search of a more empathetic work environment, I landed a job at Cisco as a Project Manager in Learning and Development, where I created marketing communications to build awareness and adoption of Cisco's internal manager training.

Now, I’m the Global Director of Cisco’s DEI Business and Recruiting Strategy. I work with Cisco leaders and recruiting teams. As well as partner organizations like OneTen, a program committed to upskilling and reskilling one million Black individuals without four-year degrees into career-sustaining roles over the next decade.

My team’s mission is to bridge gaps in demographic representation by devising strategies to hire and retain diverse talent. Above all, I want to make sure that people who look like me, and other people of color, get a fair chance at the opportunities they worked so hard for.

The significance of Black History Month and how you can celebrate

The National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Black History Month should be a call to action for everyone to learn about those who have resisted, sacrificed, withstood, and overcome to pave the way for future generations. I love diving into Black history by visiting museums, reading, and watching documentaries and historical renditions.

It is always fascinating to learn how history may resonate with your personal life.

For example, the film “Emancipation”with Will Smith reminded me of my great-great grandfather’s journey. It provided a strong visual depiction of how Black resistance has played out over the years.

Similarly, our theme, Black Resistance, is a powerful beckoning to resist oppression for a prosperous future for all.

I encourage those who want to stand in solidarity with the Black community to get curious.

As we celebrate Black History Month, now is the time to learn, expand your knowledge, and build your networks to get in greater proximity with our community, both professionally and personally.

“You may not always have a comfortable life, and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once. But don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.”
- Michelle Obama, Former First Lady of the United States

Be a power source

Aleta poses with fellow Cisco employees at the Juneteenth Festival in Atlanta in 2022

Aleta represents Cisco as lead sponsor at Juneteenth Festival in Atlanta in 2022.

When you think of a power source, you think about the transference of energy from one object to another.

I resist by being a power source; by being that spark and an agent of change within my community who motivates others to reach new heights.

I encourage you to be the spark: Visit the Black History Month SharePoint site to learn more about the events and initiatives CBP is hosting for all of Cisco this February.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my story. I hope it inspires you to learn, network, and share your personal experiences.

Employee Resources

Visit the Black History Month 2023 SharePoint for information about upcoming events.
Represent for Black History Month with a t-shirt, lapel pin, Webex virtual backgrounds, and more.
Donate to the CBP Power to Empower Bright Funds and get a free Soul Food e-Cookbook.
Join the Connected Black Professionals Inclusive Community on Workday.
Check us out on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.