Autodesk Life
Autodesk honors Black History Month globally each February through events produced by our Autodesk Black Network (ABN) employee resource group (ERG) and our Diversity & Belonging team. This year, ABN is celebrating the theme of “Black Culture and the Arts,” which is all about self-expression and the impact Black individuals and groups have had in creative spaces. Throughout the month, ABN hosted a series of events, including webinars, a virtual exhibit from the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), and a Women in Leadership panel discussion.
Meet a few members of Autodesk Black Network who share what they love about ABN and why Black History Month is important to them:
Kalib Steele is a Strategic Customer Success Advisor based in Denver, Colorado. Outside of his full-time role, he has been a DJ producer for nearly five years and will release an EP later this year. Besides music, his hobbies and interests include F1, snowboarding, and aviation. Prior to switching career fields to sales and technology, he spent four years as a firefighter/EMT.
La’Keisha Jones is a Senior Manager of Customer Support based in Atlanta, Georgia. Outside of work, she loves to travel and has had some fantastic first-time adventures, including ziplining Belize’s rainforest, being mesmerized by Bangkok’s temples and nightlife, exploring jungle life in Tulum, island hopping and jet skiing in Phuket, snowmobiling in Denver, and even kissing a sting ray in the Cayman Islands.
Nigel Madinga is a Site Reliability Engineer at our Sheffield office in the United Kingdom. He has loved reading since he discovered The Gunslinger – the first book in Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series – when he was young. While in school, he DJed at bars, clubs, and house parties, and was also a rapper in a hip-hop/R&B supergroup for a few years.
Tia Jones is an Executive Assistant for Global Revenue Enablement based in Seattle, Washington. She’s a neurodiverse woman who is naturally into everything! She loves botanical Legos, prefers dogs over people, and enjoys fashion, interior design, plus-size modeling, flower arranging, and music.
What has been your favorite experience as a member of ABN?
Kalib: My favorite experience was attending the Autodesk Black Network Summit in Atlanta last year and the feeling of being surrounded by so many extraordinary Black individuals contributing their talents to achieve extraordinary things. I will also mention that having a network to connect and discuss important — and sometimes heart-wrenching — happenings within the Black community is a luxury I do not take for granted.
La’Keisha: Being a part of ABN has been an incredible journey of genuine love and support. What I cherish the most is the strong sense of belonging it offers. It’s not just a network; it’s a community where I’ve had the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals. ABN provides valuable networking opportunities as well as a chance to give back and represent Autodesk and our culture.
Nigel: ABN has a great sense of community, which has been great to see and experience. I’m still new to the business and the network, but I’ve felt informed and connected with what’s happening with ABN; the Slack channel is always active with work-related and personal updates. There’s an in-person event for Black History Month in the Birmingham office, so I’m looking forward to meeting some ABN members soon!
Tia: Last year, I had the opportunity to attend the ABN Summit. It was a memorable experience beyond words. Having the opportunity to connect and meet fellow Black colleagues from all business lines, regions, and tenures showed me how powerful such a small group of people in a company can be. I left feeling seen and heard, which is so rare for Black people – especially Black women (and women-identifying) – to experience in the corporate world. It’s an opportunity I had not been afforded prior to joining Autodesk, and I’m so grateful and happy to work here.
Why is Black History Month important to you personally, and how do you recognize it?
La’Keisha: Black History Month holds a special place in my heart. It’s a time for deep reflection on the greatness of our community. I see it as an occasion to celebrate those who fearlessly pursue their purpose, evolving our community through unity. We take pride in our ability to invoke change and express ourselves through our God-given gifts —be it art, music, intellect, leadership, dance, fashion, or even our hair. It’s a time to honor our rich heritage and acknowledge our incredible progress while recognizing the work ahead.
Nigel: Black History Month is important to me because it’s a dedicated platform and period of time we can use to educate each other on and celebrate Black history and the myriad Black cultures, and correct misconceptions and stereotypes about Black people. It’s such a joyous experience to share cultures and experiences with one another and realize that, despite numerous differences, we have even more in common. I like to recognize Black History Month by learning, eating, or experiencing something new; reading a good book, attending a talk, trying a new dish, or discovering some new music.
Tia: It’s a time to shine and celebrate all things Black. It’s the shortest month in the year, but we make the most of it! I recognize it all year, so it’s not a big change for me, but it gives us the opportunity to celebrate the magic of Blackness with everyone in our lives.Kalib: History and progress are necessary mile markers of not only what we’ve overcome but how far we’ve come. That being said, representation is important for any marginalized group no matter the time of year. Sharing our history through published writing, the music I play, and the conversations I have with people is something I try to do throughout my life and not just Black History Month.
What advice would you give to young Black professionals starting their careers?
Tia: Know your own worth and don’t rely on anyone to shape that for you. Put together a group of trusted mentors and colleagues who will speak your name in rooms and welcome you to a seat at the table. And raise your hand, even if it challenges your introverted self (like it does for me!).
Kalib: Get involved with initiatives and organizations that promote and partner with companies that align with your career field, as well as ERGs. Find other Black professionals who work at companies or have a similar career role as yours and ask them about their experiences and for mentorship and guidance. Chances are, you can save yourself from making similar mistakes as your predecessors or fast track your way to success.
La’Keisha: Embrace change and ongoing development. Don’t shy away from seeking support, and always remember the power of networking. Building relationships with mentors, colleagues, and peers can open doors and provide invaluable guidance.
Nigel: You don’t have to know what you want to do for the rest of your life, but whatever you’re currently doing, do it well. I think it’s great to look someone in the eye and confidently tell them, “I’m great at what I do.” Anything you apply yourself to with that mentality will always pay off in the future – in transferable skills if nothing else. Even if you only do it for six months or a few years. Be bold, be driven! And for the love of all that’s good, ask for help whenever you need it.
Honoring Black History Month at Autodesk: Black Culture and the Arts
Learn more about Autodesk’s employee resource groups here.
