BYP Network moves forward with its mission of increasing representation for Black professionals

by Startacus Admin

Google's Tiara Christian joins BYP Network to support Corporate Communications in the wake of startling report finding no Black CEO in Britain's top 100 companies

In February, a report released by UK agency Green Park revealed that there were no Black CEOs among the 100 largest companies trading on the London Stock Exchange. It’s a similar story in the US where Black CEOs are running less than 1% of Fortune 500 companies.

“These numbers are very disappointing and frustrating to continuously see,” said Kike Oniwinde, founder and CEO of BYP, the global organization aiming to pave the way for career advancement for Black professionals while also developing infrastructural inclusivity and professional progression for its members and the Black community at large.

Kike continues: “Black representation across industries has been a big driver for us at BYP and we are very proud of the work we have done over the last four years. This includes growing BYP to over 50,000 members and attracting over 600 employers to tap into our network. Through our leadership conference, impact initiatives including mentoring schemes and our upskilling content led by Black leaders we are proactively working on moving the dial. However, this is still not enough - so we are delighted to welcome Tiara Christian as our new Head of Brand & Marketing to lead on international membership expansion, role model visibility and educational experiences.”

Christian brings 9 years of marketing and PR experience to BYP having worked across the tech, consumer goods and fashion industries. In her most recent role as the Head of EMEA Social Media at Google, Christian oversaw global communication folose to 300 cross-functional Google employees, across 13 countries. As a diversity leader and the Chairperson of the EMEA Black Googler Network (BGN) she also worked to bring light to the gaps in racial equity, representation and fostering an inclusive company culture. 

“Like many people of colour working in corporate spaces, I am often the only Black person in the room,” said Christian. “The opportunity to work for a truly diverse company in pursuit of initiatives that support my community is beyond exciting. The global standard for Black people in tech stands at 2%, and all companies have a responsibility to prioritize representation, progression and the experiences of Black people across industries. I look forward to pouring all that I’ve learned into this new opportunity and tO partner with companies of all sizes to make real progress.”

We look forward to seeing the impact that this new appointment will have in amplifying the fantastic work of BYP.

 

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Published on: 16th July 2021