In the last couple of years, communities of different ethnicities, identities, and backgrounds have witnessed the value of raising their voices through voting, protesting, and activism. As an employee community, we know that organizing, strategizing, and mobilizing are some of the most impactful ways to create an inclusive and equitable environment where people can be themselves. After all, we are ALL stronger together.
BAAPS, or Black African American Professionals, is a new employee community at Rubrik that is employee-led and organized with allies across the company. Our mission is to offer a safe space of expression, support, and enlightenment for Black and African American people at Rubrik while advancing the efforts to have a more diverse & inclusive experience.
Why Juneteenth?
We are excited to announce this new employee community at such a historic moment for Black and African Americans. Almost 156 years later, the celebration of Freedom Day on June 19, 1865—also known as Juneteenth— is receiving national recognition and more communities are learning the importance of celebrating this day.
Juneteenth marks the day that Union Army General Gordan Granger announced the end of slavery in Texas. Although President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation outlawed slavery, Texas was one of the final states to end it. Slavery in the United States technically didn’t end until the 13th amendment abolished slavery on December 18, 1865.
Many people celebrate Juneteenth in different ways. Some people celebrate by attending events like community celebrations or gatherings, shopping exclusively at black-owned businesses, or coming together with families. The purpose of the day is to recognize the hardships and injustices the Black and African American community has and still continue to face while celebrating the culture and progress made so far.
Employee Communities
Employee communities like this are important because they create a safe space for people to relate. Relationships between different communities are the foundation for genuine empathy and progress.
Employee communities have become increasingly important over the past 20 years and are essential for companies to help navigate workforce and community challenges. Rubrik currently supports employee communities including those for the LGBTQ+ community, Women in Technology, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and Latinos, and now, the Black and African American community. All of these employee communities are open to allies and are dedicated to advancing corporate social responsibility, facilitating learning opportunities, and serving as a safe space where employees can thrive and be their authentic selves.
Interested in learning more about the culture at Rubrik? Check out our careers page to see more on our employee communities, culture highlights, open career opportunities, and more. Rubrik has been recognized as a Forbes Cloud 100 Company and as a LinkedIn Top 10 startup.