Ocyan commemorates Afro-Latino and Caribbean Women’s Day with advances in the racial gender agenda

Ocyan commemorates the Day of the Afro-Latino and Caribbean Women, celebrated on July 25, with advances in the diversity agenda. The latest survey revealed that among the hired women, 46% are black, a result that reflects the company’s commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining black professionals.

Regarding leadership positions, the company has achieved 36% representation of black and mixed-race individuals in decision-making roles, which is 6% higher than the target set by the “Race is Priority” Movement of the United Nations Global Compact – of which Ocyan is a signatory – aiming to have 30% of black professionals in leadership positions by 2030. But there is still progress to be made regarding black female employees, especially in leadership positions, where 22% of black leadership is represented by women.

“We are aware that internal and external actions are essential for increasing the attraction, recruitment, and selection of black women, as well as the development of internal talents within this group of professionals. Cristina Pinho, our independent director, is a clear example of someone who holds a strategic position in the company and represents the voice of black women within our senior leadership team. Addressing this during the Month of Afro-Latino and Caribbean Women reaffirms our commitment to creating opportunities and representation for a diverse and multiethnic female workforce in our workplace,” says Ester Bayerl, Coordinator of Social Responsibility and Diversity.

In the quest for more diversity, the company created the Race and Ethnicity Affinity Group in 2020, with the purpose of raising leadership awareness, attracting, recruiting and developing talent from people belonging to this group. One of the group’s actions includes an assessment, for example, which evaluated 43 non-leader black and brown members with the aim of empowering their skills through self-awareness. Participants also received insights on which roles, activities, and training are most suitable for each individual to achieve results.

The company also promotes monthly Roundtable Discussions. “The idea is to promote a welcoming and safe environment in which people feel comfortable exchanging ideas, experiences and learning, through a lot of study, based on good bibliographic references. Currently, we are conducting our studies based on the book Pequeno Manual Antirracista (Little Antiracist Handbook), by Djamila Ribeiro, always accompanied by several practical examples. The invitation is open to all employees and not just focused on the black community, as the antiracist struggle is a social movement that requires the active participation of white individuals as well,” explains Mariana Caldas, Internal Audit Manager at Ocyan and leader of the company’s Race and Ethnicity Affinity Group.