AvalonBay Communities’ (NYSE: AVB) Black Associate Coalition employee resource group (BAC) celebrated Black History Month by spotlighting unique aspects of Black history each week, including guest speakers, an open mic event, and virtual celebrations.
Launched in 2020, AvalonBay’s BAC strives to deliver business benefits to the company and its Black associates through intellectual and social growth, broad outreach, and promoting diversity throughout the company. The BAC offers opportunities to celebrate Black culture and history, aid the company’s cultural change by encouraging and facilitating uncomfortable conversations, and encouraging networking and mentorship—all to support AvalonBay’s efforts to attract, develop, and retain Black talent.
Alicia Black, the national lead of AvalonBay’s BAC, said the REIT supports the BAC’s work, including highlighting Black history, and that the BAC will continue to bring quality programming to its employees.
James McDonald, a member of the BAC’s leadership team and national lead of AvalonBay’s National Urban League Partnership, said Black History Month “provides our Black associates an opportunity to connect and be seen.” He added that the BAC is committed to recognizing Black history year-round.
“AvalonBay’s newest partnership with the National Urban League also cements our desire to build strong communities internally and externally,” McDonald said.