Written by Rodney Clark, Corporate Vice President, Channel Sales and Channel Chief
While we celebrate Black history every day in my house, this month brings a heightened awareness of all who have stood before us to pave the way. Lately, I have been reflecting on my great-grandmother. Her name was Christina, but the only name her grandchildren knew her by was “Nanny.” Nanny was such a respected and imposing figure for someone who stood barely five feet tall. She was born in 1906 in Pasadena, California. With no formal education, she started working as a nursing assistant. That job evolved into a career as an in-home caretaker and housekeeper. Nanny would later go on to perform the most important job of her life: raising my mother and aunt, who were just young girls at the time. To make ends meet, Nanny picked up additional work scrubbing floors until midnight most evenings. I am grateful to Nanny for her resilience and dedication to my family. This month I am celebrating Nanny’s life and everything that she contributed to my history.
Black History Month offers us an opportunity to reflect and honor the trailblazers who have come before us, while inspiring the next generation of history makers. The unique lived experiences of our partners have influenced the Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI). Their achievements, the acknowledgement of unseen opportunity, and the desire to create a more equitable future inspires our work and fuels our investment.
