BUILD's 2021 September newsletter

BUILD is a business resource group (BRG) for members of the Black Community ​and their allies in Washington State service. We are supported by Executive Order 21-01. Find information about all BRGs from the Office of Financial Management. For more information about BUILD, please contact us or visit our website.
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BUILD's general membership meetings are the 3rd Thursday each month.

In this issue
A message from BUILD's Executive Leadership, highlights from the web, subcommittee report outs, and co-lead question and answer introductions.

A message from BUILD's Executive Leadership
As new leadership transitions into their roles, we'd like to take the time to thank each of you for your patience and consistent support. We would also like to reaffirm that we are ever committed to creating space and opportunities for our people. Supporting the subcommittee’s goals and endeavors for the future is top priority and we look forward to the growth that is to come. Moreover, we would love to hear from all of you: thoughts or ideas on how BUILD can maximize our presence is welcomed. Thank you in advance.
Sincerely your Chair,
Sascha Nixon 

Highlights from the web
We had our regular general membership meetings, Membership Mingles, celebrated Juneteenth, and elected new BUILD leadership.

We're also working on a career development page, watch for updates.

Professional Development and Leadership Support
Tell us your name, where you work, and how you found out about BUILD.
Shannon Williams, DSHS ESA CSD HQ, I was invited to attend the BUILD by Charleen Anderson.

What do you want to accomplish in BUILD?
Connect with other Black Americans and allies and create opportunities to build strong relationships and community. Create career advancement opportunities for Black state employees into executive, influential positions throughout the state.

If you were no longer a co-lead in BUILD what would your legacy look like and how has BUILD helped you?
Motivated leader: taking action to empower black employees to obtain executive leadership positions throughout state government. Transparent and kind leader who listens to and support others. BUILD has been my lifeline over the past year. It has empowered me and given me a safe place to share, learn and grow. BUILD has given me the opportunity to enhance my skill sets and build more confidence. I know there is still more to come…

How could someone help your subcommittee if they wanted to join?
Volunteer to participate in the activities and leadership opportunities. Take a vested interest in BUILD’s vision for expanding success to Black state employees. Attend monthly subcommittee meetings and be open to mentoring. By joining, you have an opportunity to be connected to something that is grass roots and growing stronger each month. BUILD is a place where you can be yourself, share your ideas, be challenged on setting and meeting goals, and be accepted for who you are.

What did your subcommittee accomplish in the last 3 months and what do you hope to achieve in the next 3 months?
We planned the BUILD job opportunities GovDelivery notices, finalized our PDLS charter, partnered with the Membership and Engagement subcommittee to host the “Win the Interview Membership Mingle”. We provided professional development tips during General Membership meetings while holding productive and engaging subcommittee meetings at least once a month.
We intend to: post a formal career development and support opportunities to BUILD members though bi-monthly job postings through GovDelivery for executive and management positions in state government and provide a tip for career growth and wellbeing during an upcoming General Membership meeting. As part of BUILD’s mentoring initiative, we will be hosting a Mentorship / Coaching Members Mingle in January where eager members can receive support in their professional leadership development.

What else would you like readers to know?
Although this inequity in employment has been going on for as long as we can remember, this is a new day, with new opportunities. Your voice is needed. Your experiences are valued. If you’re weary from the battle, come and be refreshed, if you are ready for the front lines, step in. If you have felt alone or defeated, come, and find companionship, like-mindedness and safety here with the BUILD community. We want you to join PDLS regardless of your career trajectory.

Policy and Data
Tell us your name, where you work, and how you found out about BUILD.
The REAL MG! No, Mikia Guy. DCYF as the Intensive Resources Program Manager in HQ. I learned about BUILD during the planning process. I’d just moved to Washington and was working at OST when I was “discovered” by Mrs. Angie Adams. She opened her arms to me and introduced me to some wonderful people who were on the planning committee.

What do you want to accomplish in BUILD?
I would love to make an impact for the Black Community within Washington State Government by enhancing awareness of resources, knowledge of the legislative process and how to be involved and being part of developing a BRAVE space to be our full authentic selves.

If you were no longer a co-lead in BUILD what would your legacy look like and how has BUILD helped you?
As an active-duty military spouse, this is a real possibility within the next couple of years. The BUILD legacy would continue, because that is what we do and are known to do as a People. “Each one, teach one,” and I believe we’ve created an environment where leaders are constantly developing leaders. The legacy will stand strong even when I move on.

BUILD has helped me both professionally and personally. I’ve connected with some amazing individuals through networking who have become forever friends, and I have had the opportunity to engage in incredible professional development activities, such as public speaking, policy writing, bill analysis, etc.

How could someone help your subcommittee if they wanted to join?
Be a voice! Share some knowledge! Hold space and be confident in that space. We are all here to learn and constantly learning from each other. No idea or thought is too big or too small.

What did your subcommittee accomplish in the last 3 months and what do you hope to achieve in the next 3 months?
We are currently in the process of analyzing the BUILD Annual Survey to provide recommendations to the Executive Team about improving BUILD processes moving forward. Over the past few months, we have assisted agencies with policy development and the writing of equity statements, written proclamations for the Governor, and participated on several panels and workgroups throughout the state.

We will spend the next few months preparing for the next legislative session, at which point we will hold a vote to determine the legislation we will be tracking. In addition, we are just on the cusp of a new project we are very excited about involving social justice rhetoric. If you want to know more, come join us! We meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11:30 – 12:30.

What else would you like readers to know?
We are a dynamic group, but all of BUILD is. It’s hard work, it’s necessary work, but it’s oh so rewarding. Remember, James Baldwin said “Not everything that is faced is changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” In BUILD, we face it.

Membership Engagement and Support
Tell us your name, where you work, and how you found out about BUILD.
Sherina James, Department of Commerce, I was intrigued when I saw the announcement for the Kickoff Event held 10/2019.

What do you want to accomplish in BUILD?
Creating space(s) for more connection with colleagues to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.

If you were no longer a co-lead in BUILD what would your legacy look like and how has BUILD helped you?
More connection, networking, and engagement between BUILD Members. Our goal to foster connections beyond the general membership meetings.

How could someone help your subcommittee if they wanted to join?
The Membership Support and Engagement Committee needs members to help welcome new members and to help facilitate Membership Mingle meetings. It you would like to join the Membership Support and Engagement Subcommittee contact Lenora Sneva or Sherina James.

What did your subcommittee accomplish in the last 3 months and what do you hope to achieve in the next 3 months?
The BUILD Membership Engagement and Support Subcommittee has coordinated and hosted Membership Mingles. Mingles are one-hour, focused opportunities that allow BUILD members to network, discuss important cultural issues, and build community outside of the monthly BUILD meetings.

In the past year, over 700 BUILD members have attended and engaged in thought-provoking conversations, gaining information and awareness on topics such as Microaggressions in the Workplace, Talking and Responding to Racism, Getting into Good Trouble, Winning the Interview and Tips and Tricks for State Job Seekers. We also updated and deployed BUILD’s annual survey.

We will be holding more Membership Mingles! We are always interested in learning about what issues and topics our membership is interested in. If you have suggestions for topics or want to become more involved in BUILD, please let us know by completing this survey.

What else would you like readers to know?
A great place to find more information about past and future BUILD events is on the website.

History and Activities
Tell us your name, where you work, and how you found out about BUILD.
Charleen Anderson (co-lead with Tony Rice). DSHS, ESA, Community Services Division. Attended the kick-off event.

What do you want to accomplish in BUILD?
I want to share my knowledge, skills, and expertise with other BUILD members to help provide professional growth and development opportunities for those who seek to be in a leadership role, so they are positioned to be future leaders in Washington State.

If you were no longer a co-lead in BUILD what would your legacy look like and how has BUILD helped you?
I am a servant leader intrinsically, so I would be giving my time, resources, and knowledge to anyone who needs it to catapult their career. [BUILD helped with] networking opportunities.

How could someone help your subcommittee if they wanted to join?
If someone loves event planning, close collaboration, and research and development, the History and Activities committee is for them!

What did your subcommittee accomplish in the last 3 months and what do you hope to achieve in the next 3 months?
We organized the Juneteenth event in June 2021 and finalized our charter August 2021. [Will be] producing a Veteran’s Day message that will also honor and highlight BUILD Veterans and their family members. Start the planning for Black History Month 2022.

What else would you like readers to know?
Tony Rice (Division of Child Support) and I co-lead this sub-committee.  We are dynamic, creative, and fun leaders who have a desire to motivate and inspire others. We believe that we all have strengths, and they are best utilized when working together. Bring your strengths to the H&A sub-committee; we want to tap into them! Together, with shared knowledge, teamwork, and collaboration, we CAN get into some “good trouble” and make Washington State a just, anti-racist state and the employer of choice!!!

Communications
Tell us your name, where you work, and how you found out about BUILD.
I’m Dennis Worrell, a co-lead in the Communications Subcommittee. I’m a Data Engagement Manager in the Health Information Technology division at the Health Care Authority (HCA). I found out about BUILD through a LinkedIn post back in the summer of 2019 when it was called the Black Community Business Resource Group. I found out where the regular meetings were held, asked my manager for permission to attend, and just showed up. Everyone was very welcoming of me as an ally.

What do you want to accomplish in BUILD?
I want to help educate that institutional racism is very real and that we need greater representation from the Black community at the state, especially in management and executive level positions. I hope to see equity work viewed in state agencies as essential to the business as HR, accounting, and IT.

If you were no longer a co-lead in BUILD what would your legacy look like and how has BUILD helped you?
I hope to inspire others to manage and expand on BUILD’s website and email marketing presence. I’m looking forward to new and fresh ideas. I’m grateful for the friendships I’ve made and perspectives I’ve gained through BUILD. Equity work is everyone’s work and I highly encourage everyone to get involved with a BRG.

How could someone help your subcommittee if they wanted to join?
The Communications subcommittee maintains the website, helps with direct marketing using GovDelivery, manages technology at virtual meetings, and manages our social media presence. We can always use more hands to do all of this. Being a part of BUILD is a growth opportunity and I encourage anyone to join and learn from our members. Contact us about contributing through our website.

What did your subcommittee accomplish in the last 3 months and what do you hope to achieve in the next 3 months?
The Communications subcommittee has been busy cataloging BUILD’s virtual events on its website; keeping current on relevant news articles through our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn feeds; finalizing the subcommittee’s charter; finalizing our annual report; and finalizing a social media policy for BUILD. We worked with, and continue to work with, the other subcommittees on publishing their offerings through our various outlets. The Communications group expects to support the work of the other subcommittees in the coming months.

What else would you like readers to know?
Our subcommittee is seeking new leadership to help take our efforts to the next level. We have deep technical expertise in the group and would like to pass on knowledge and help our members grow. If interested in joining us, please contact BUILD.

The Washington State Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity (BUILD) business resource group exists to improve the experiences of current and future Black state employees, increase the representation of Black people in leadership positions, give voice to the Black perspective in policy discussions about Washington communities, and build each other up as we move forward.
Please share this information and encourage your colleagues and state-employed family and friends to get involved. We are a formal, enterprise-wide resource group conducting official state business. Participants are not required to take leave to participate. If you experience challenges to participating, please contact us.

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