July 26, 2022
To celebrate US Black History Month this February, technology giant Apple is launching curated collections and exclusive content to shine a spotlight on the amazing work of black creators, developers and entrepreneurs. From the Apple Watch Black Unity Collection to a celebration of black stories on Apple TV, the tech icon is paving the way for other brands to highlight black excellence.
If your tech startup is looking for practical ways to amplify black voices and pay homage to black history, check out these fantastic BHM campaigns and find inspiration to truly celebrate the month in style.
Examples of BHM activities from leading tech brands
Google is well known for supporting diverse causes around gender and race so BHM was no exception. Last year they launched #TheMostSearched campaign “celebrating the icons and moments that have been searched more than any others in the United States.” By using Google Trends data, they scanned the most searched people to identify Black American achievements that were searched more than any others. The resulting emotive ad featured icons from black culture including Prince, Martin Luther King and Simone Biles.
Social media platforms TikTok and Instagram both partnered with leading black influencers to share black stories. From IG Lives spotlighting inspirational black icons to high profile ad campaigns celebrating black personalities, TikTok and Instagram ensured they gave space to talented black creators making waves on social media.
How your company can celebrate Black History Month
So how can ordinary tech employers join in the celebrations this February? There are plenty of quick and easy wins that don’t require big budgets:
Perhaps one of the key takeaways when celebrating Black History Month is making sure you don’t limit your celebrations to one month a year. Avoid performative allyship where your business only participates in BHM for corporate gain rather than actually supporting the black community. If you are going to take the time to embark on a BHM celebration, make sure it’s genuine and that your business is present and actively involved all year round.
Written by Letitiah Obiri, Founder @ Polkadot Digital