Wisk’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Few individuals have shaped the fabric of American society as much as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Today we celebrate his birth and acknowledge his profound contribution to the US Civil Rights Movement and broader American culture. As a company, we value diversity and recognize that our success is intertwined with the success of our employees. Thus, we are committed to fostering a culture where everyone and their unique contributions are welcome.
According to Dudley Duberry, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, “At Wisk, our Employee Resource Groups are our anchor in fostering spaces where employees can find community and allyship can be created and mentored. We want everyone working at Wisk to feel comfortable being their authentic self as we move towards changing the world of transportation.” We asked a few Wisk employees what MLK Day means to them and how his ideals are reflected in their dreams for the future.
Manju Nag
Manju is Wisk’s Manager of Systems Engineering and Integration. He has worked on the cutting-edge of flight for the past decade, and is always looking for ‘what’s next’ in aviation.
How has the legacy of MLK impacted your life and the way you view your community?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of every organization’s mindset. We take this for granted, but I believe that Martin Luther King Jr. laid the foundation by employing nonviolent means to fight for the voiceless. The concept of “fairness” that we so duly follow and accept, is the outcome of what MLK fought for, he instilled the thought process that paved the way for acceptance.
He is an inspiration to the entire country, his speeches demonstrate the freedom to think and to think the unthinkable. It takes a thinker to be able to break the shackles of tradition and to accept and encourage change, against the insurmountable odds, we all can realize our dreams if we act.
What is your dream for the future?
Every community struggles to some extent. We have a huge migrant population in the US, from all parts of the world. I dream that someday we can get to complete acceptance. We have to evolve not just as individuals, but also as a community. Yes, we still struggle, as we do for every change that is introduced, but it is inevitable. The resilience and non-violent nature of some of the protests in recent history depict that his legacy will continue and will further encourage and motivate mankind.
Albert Worou
Albert hails from West Africa. His decades of experience as an electrical engineer have seen him working on high-tech projects across the globe from the Ivory Coast, to France, and ultimately the United States. Albert has been in the United States for over a decade and is currently an Electrical Engineering Team Manager at Wisk.
How has the legacy of MLK impacted your life and the way you view your community?
Even though I was not born at the time of The King, it is clear to me how his legacy has changed our communities and shaped the life of a number of people in my age range. Growing up in West Africa, I learned about The King. I cannot imagine what it might have felt like for young kids who used to play together, to come to a time when they have to be separated because they had to go to different schools, or for people to only be allowed in certain areas and not in the same bus or building, or for people to have to carry maps so they make sure to avoid certain areas when they travel.
Because of The King’s legacy, all those barriers were shattered, and we are now one community, irrespective of color, gender, religion and what not.
I am so glad Wisk upholds the values in The King’s legacy, and has all-inclusive policies and has training to make sure everybody is treated equally, with respect and dignity, and has no tolerance for any kind of violation.
What is your dream for the future?
My dream is that as The King’s legacy endures, and the world keeps progressing toward The Dream until “unarmed truth and unconditional love have the final word in reality”, to quote The King.
I dream that we can all get back home safely when we go out jogging. I dream that we are heard when we say “I can’t breathe”. I dream that we are certain that we can all survive routine traffic stops. I dream that none of these are dreams anymore.
As Wisk has embraced the values of respect, diversity, equality, and inclusion, each and every individual should prophesize and perpetuate the legacy until that dream comes true.
Happy MLK Day!
Jessica de Leon
Jessica is a Senior Supply Chain Manager at Wisk. Born in Guatemala, her family relocated to Miami when she was nine years old. Jessica joined Wisk because she was excited about working for a company with a fantastic team and an inspiring vision to create something that doesn’t yet exist. Something her children and grandchildren will someday think of as ordinary.
How has the legacy of MLK impacted your life and the way you view your community?
The legacy of MLK to me is a true representation of initiating change within ourselves and leading by example. Today is an opportunity to reflect on where we stand but also to prompt conversation with others on the fact that there is still plenty of work to be done.
What is your dream for the future?
My dream is to help innovate, influence positive change, and to create a future where my son and all others can feel empowered and confident to fight for what is right and as MLK said, to exist in a world where they would only be “judged by the content of their character”.
I believe it starts with us playing our part in our home, community, and workplace and I believe that Wisk fully embodies that. Our team here at Wisk makes a conscious effort to encourage and inspire a culture where ‘everyone’ really means every single person. I’m fortunate to be given the opportunity to have global reach by following that lead.
