Hope and action: Zurich commemorates Black History Month

Zurich North America is continuing its commitment to celebrate and advance diversity and create an inclusive workplace through a variety of February programs commemorating Black History Month.

The Zurich African Ancestry Alliance (ZAAA) employee resource group is hosting several events designed to offer time for acknowledgment and reflection on the important role of Black history in the pursuit of racial justice and equality — while also highlighting areas for advancing progress.

“Black History Month serves as a yearly remembrance of our past and allows us to pay tribute to our ancestors whose shoulders we stand on today,” said Krishna Lynch, Regional Manager of Zurich Resilience Solutions and ZAAA National Lead. “During this month, we recognize the strength of resiliency and sacrifice while creating space for dialogue and authentic connections. It gives us an opportunity to collectively assess where we are now and where we want to be. ZAAA aspires to carry on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of hope and call to action by continuing to foster a culture of diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging.”

Connection and conversations

Zurich kicked off the month’s programming with a special event at its Schaumburg, Illinois headquarters featuring a robust and wide-ranging conversation between Lynch and Reverend Dr. Otis Moss III, renowned civil rights activist, author, spiritual leader and pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Dr. Moss and Lynch discussed how to create a path forward for change in our communities, constructing institutions that allow every person to flourish, finding commonalities, and reconnecting with central values like love, respect, dignity, justice and grace.

ZAAA also held a series of conversations designed to engage, inspire and elevate — including a question-and-answer session with Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn in which he highlighted the importance of Black History Month as a time for the country to reflect on progress and next steps. “Black History Month is an important moment for everyone in society to reflect on the accomplishments of the African American community as well as the equity challenges that still exist. Within Zurich, it’s important that we think about where we have and haven’t made progress and explore what more we can do,” he said.

Terryn also reinforced Zurich’s commitment to building a workforce that reflects the broadest makeup of society and highlighted mentoring, role models, sponsorship, flexible work options and clear career paths as key elements for developing and retaining diverse talent. He also cited the Zurich Apprenticeship Program for its success in creating career opportunities for diverse communities.

The journey of African American insurance professionals

ZAAA also hosted a discussion on a new study, "The Next Steps on the Journey," conducted by Dr. Leroy D. Nunery, II, President of Evolution Advisors, with support from global professional services firm Marsh McLennan. Omari Aarons, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the National African American Insurance Association, joined Nunery and Lynch to discuss key findings from the study, which was a follow-up to a 2018 study that outlined barriers in the experience of African Americans in the insurance industry.

In latest study, 42 percent of respondents felt that their organizations had a high level of commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, an increase from 35 percent in the first study. However, many survey respondents noted that while their organizations include diversity as a core value, there is slow, little or no progress in gaining representation in management or leadership positions.

The conversation also highlighted the importance of inviting the African American community into the insurance and risk management industry, and ensuring diverse talent see themselves reflected in and being elevated into leadership roles.

Other featured events for the month included a discussion with celebrity hairstylist Chris Curse on Black identity, beauty and culture; and educational trivia forums on Black history.

Keith Daly, Chief Claims Officer at Zurich North America and executive sponsor of the Zurich African Ancestry Alliance employee resource group, praised the educational nature of the month’s events and dialogue they generated. “These events were another example of how employee resource groups are spurring important conversations, inspiring us to find commonalities and fostering connections and belonging,” he said.