Meet NuShades: Our Black Employee Group at Nutanix

NuShades employees at a community event in North Carolina

NuShades is an employee-led L.I.F.E. group (or employee resource group) that fosters the inclusion and advancement of employees that identify as Black or of African descent. Formed in 2019, NuShades is a vibrant community of group members around the globe, hailing from 16 different countries who come together to share cultural experiences and perspectives that facilitate connection, support and growth for group members and allies.

The mission of NuShades is to help Nutanix become one of the world’s most Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging-focused technology companies by applying an equity lens across every stage of the Black employee life cycle. 

The group is currently led by Burt Giron and Iris Harris who have both played a big role in fostering an engaged and supportive community within and across Nutanix. Burt and Iris share how NuShades has shaped their experiences at Nutanix:

The level of connection is immense, but how does the group foster connection and build community in a hybrid work environment? Through an active internal Slack channel where employees celebrate wins, share personal and professional updates, offer support and advice, and get to know others across the company. In addition, the group hosts regular virtual and in person programming, with a diverse range of events throughout the year, ranging from volunteer events, to employee panel discussions, external speakers, and fun and educational celebrations, and more. 

To commemorate Black History Month, NuShades had a strong presence at AfroPix, an annual symposium for students enrolled in computer science programs or pursuing career paths in technology, and hosted by Black in Technology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

NuShades employees meeting students at AfroPix at UNC Chapel Hill

NuShades also hosted a Black Excellence employee panel, where four NuShades members from different teams shared their career journeys, life experiences and words of wisdom and inspiration with NuShades members and allies who attended in-person at our Durham, North Carolina office and virtually, via Zoom from different corners of the world. The panel was moderated by David Sangster, Chief Operating Officer at Nutanix and the Executive Sponsor for NuShades. It concluded with a lively conversation where the audience asked panelists questions, and shared their reactions and personal experiences.

Black Excellence employee panel speakers, moderators and allies in our Durham, NC office

NuShades also joined forces with Mi Gente (our Latino & Hispanic employee group) to establish a partnership with INROADS, a non-profit organization that creates pathways to careers for ethnically diverse high school and college students, and their College Links program. The groups worked together with INROADS to host a career panel in Atlanta, Georgia where high school students learned about careers in technology. 

In addition, NuShades and Mi Gente donated $10,000 to INROADS to advance our shared commitment to fostering the development of our Black and Brown communities and cultivating the next generation of technologists and leaders. NuShades is committed to continuing the partnership with INROADS, and expanding our engagement across Nutanix in the months to come.

NuShades at Mi Gente donated to INROADS in Atlanta, GA

In January, NuShades members and allies volunteered in their local communities to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of service supporting causes close to their hearts.

Employees volunteered in Durham, NC and Boston, MA for MLK Day

NuShades looks forward to expanding its reach and impact in the months to come through additional events and partnerships to help advance Black employees, students in tech and our larger local communities. 

The goodness of NuShades has rippled across the group and into our local communities, leaving a positive imprint on its group members and our broader organization.

Thanks to our NuShades leaders, members and allies for living our values: Hungry, Humble, Honest, and With Heart. Your contributions are seen and felt. Each of you play a key role in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment within Nutanix and our communities–and we look forward to continuing the momentum in the years ahead.

To learn more about NuShades, our other employee-led groups, and our company commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, check out our annual Environmental, Social and Governance report.

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