Black health and wellness, and the need to advance health equity, is something that I have spoken and written about on a personal and professional level – and it’s been rightfully top of mind for many during the pandemic which has only exacerbated the countless underlying health issues and healthcare disparities in our society. So, I was encouraged when I learned that this year’s Black History Month theme was around health and wellness and excited at the prospect of taking an intentional focus at Novo Nordisk on supporting the wellness of our Black employees, while discussing the barriers that continue to impact people of color.

As we wrap up the month, I’m reflecting on the impactful programs and activities aimed at tackling wellness in all its forms – from mental to physical to financial – spearheaded by our employee resource group BE Novo (Black Employees at Novo Nordisk), under the lead of my esteemed colleagues Yvonne Bryant and Nicole Roberson (pictured above).

Yvonne and Nicole opened our all-employee meeting this month and it was truly inspiring to hear more about the impact BE Novo continues to have – not just during an awareness month, but year-round – to further our understanding of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI&B) and how to best support people of color in work and life.

Every day, BE Novo and their allies show us what it means to uphold the Novo Nordisk Way by ensuring opportunities for Black employees to have growth, contribute to our culture, drive business strategies and outcomes, and serve as role models and advocates to others. What resonated most for me is hearing them share that, at the end of the day, they want everyone to feel at home. And that’s true at our company and in our society as we continue to make strides in inclusion and representation. Just last week President Joe Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the 116th Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court – elevating a Black woman for the first time to a seat on the high court bench – a perfect lead into International Women’s Day in March as we celebrate women like Yvonne, Nicole, and Judge Brown who continue to make our world a better place.

Happy Black History Month – let’s keep learning, teaching, listening, and taking action to create a world where everyone feels supported, respected, celebrated, and like they truly belong!