Celebrating Our People: Global Diversity Awareness Month Part 2

With thousands of employees dispersed throughout the United States, Samsung Electronics America represents a diverse workforce coming together to showcase innovation. While recognizing employees occurs on a daily basis in our workplace culture, Global Diversity Awareness Month provides the opportunity to celebrate the multitude of heritage, backgrounds and life experiences of our people throughout October.

At Samsung, we are striving to cultivate an inclusive workspace that promotes diverse cultures and perspectives. “As part of our D&I journey, our employees are creating communities sharing their diverse stories helping us foster a culture of inclusion,” said Tami DeWeese, Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Samsung Electronics America. “Each employee holds unique life experiences which shape their perspective and lens contributing to robust dialogue in our workplace. During Global Diversity Awareness Month, we want to highlight our people. We are Samsung Strong and creating a better future because of the diversity of our people.”

In our continued effort to encourage employees to be themselves while building a better tomorrow, we asked employees at Samsung Electronics America to participate in a three-part series highlighting what diversity and inclusion mean to them both in the workforce and beyond. Here’s what they had to say:

“Diversity and inclusion in the workplace mean that we not only recognize our differences – we celebrate them, and empower these voices to be heard. Inclusion means more than being “allowed to be here,” it means being valued for all the things that make you, you! Surrounding ourselves by people different than us, both in the workplace and out, and immersing ourselves in understanding and acceptance – not just tolerance, is when we truly grow as individuals and as enterprises.” –Yasmeen Mohammad

“Inclusion exists when we truly see and honor the person in front of us on a human level, outside of all of the boxes and constraints we are placed in. Samsung offers us many ways to actively contribute to our employee community. We can lead the way and pave paths that never existed before. I founded the SEA Data Community, and this year, we hosted our first ever 2-day Data Summit! I am a leader in Women in Samsung Electronics (WISE) and the Ridgefield Park Culture Committee. Bringing my fellow employees together to learn and grow is very important to me.” –Christine Fargnoli

“As a Black man, I can easily connect my life of responding to the emotional, social, and institutional barriers that constantly remind me that I am not only different, but I am thought of as less than my counterparts are. The sovereign love of the Spirit of God freed us to confess our complicity in structures of injustice and oppression. To become generous conversation partners, to welcome and learn from those who are different from us. Samsung is not only trying to make a difference in the workplace but in the community as well.  For that, I am truly grateful.” –Joseph Wright

“To me, diversity means that everyone is invited to have a seat at the table. To be inclusive means that everyone sitting at that table has a voice. Being involved with Unidos, one of our Employee Resource Groups at Samsung, has given me a true sense of community and belonging, which is really what diversity and inclusion are all about. It’s like having a whole army of allies standing behind me cheering me on, inviting me to take a seat at the table every day.” –Wildania Davis

With this opportunity to highlight Samsung’s people, we are both humbled and honored to have been recognized for the progress toward a diverse and inclusive workforce. In 2020, Samsung Electronics America was recognized by Forbes USA as “The Best Employers for Diversity,” and in 2021 as “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by The Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. As we acknowledge all we have accomplished, we are eager to continue setting new goals that pave the path toward a better future for all, beginning with our people.