Feb 8, 2024
Work Life
Corporate
Celebrating Black History Month
Every February, the United States honors the contributions, sacrifices, and achievements of Black Americans who have helped shape the nation. We’ve asked several Group 1001 employees how they celebrate Black History Month and what it means to them.
Black History Month originally started as National Negro History Week in 1926. It was founded by Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson, who believed that education and awareness of history were the only ways to achieve equity and equality across society. Negro History Week fell on the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially expanded Negro History Week into Black History Month, stating the United States needed to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. This year’s theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” infuses African, Caribbean, and Black American experiences.
Mark your calendars for an upcoming Group 1001 panel: Intersection of Sports and Education Impacting Our Communities. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, February 20 at noon ET in the Zionsville Café and will be livestreamed. Stay tuned for more details.
How Do Group 1001 Employees Acknowledge and Celebrate?
Jason Atkins, Director Innovation Strategy, didn’t truly appreciate the significance of Black History Month as a child in Brooklyn, NY, because he was surrounded by multiple generations of Black people in his community who had done remarkable things.
“I was also surrounded by many peers whose futures were bright. In some ways for me, Black History Month felt like a celebration of ‘normal’ things. The month truly became special for me as I developed a deeper understanding of the obstacles that many Black Americans, including those in my community, had to overcome to achieve the things they did – be they coming up with transformational inventions, building successful businesses, or the gradual transformation of America into a true democracy where all citizens enjoy equal protection under the law. Black history is American history, and I look forward to learning more about the ways that Black Americans have contributed to America this February.”
Lanisha Harrison, Contact Center Operational Supervisor, (far right in the middle picture with her sisters and mom), likes to spend Black History Month embracing some of the challenges and accomplishments African American people have faced over 100 years.
“It's an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come but also understand some of these challenges still exist. Each year during Black History Month, my family and I share the accomplishments of our Black ancestors we may not have learned about in school. Through our family tradition, I have learned the names and accomplishments of some amazing men and women. And because of their struggles and accomplishments, I feel empowered to be creative and great in my own way.”
Danny Mills, Manager of Corporate Real Estate, celebrates by making it a point to research and then share little-known Black history facts all month at dinner time.
“I mentor at-risk youth in my city for a local foundation and when speaking, I equip them with the knowledge of the great accomplishments and contributions that Black people have made. When a child can truly recognize his or her potential for greatness, then the possibilities are limitless.
We all know the unfortunate truth of colonial slavery in America. It's often a touchy subject. This is why Black History Month is so important to me because it’s an opportunity to emphasize the history and greatness of our ancestors (globally). One of the best things that we can do during Black History Month is to teach, share, and more importantly heal. I teach the youth that slavery was not a part of Black history, but more so, an interruption in true Black history. Just that simple shift in mindset can promote self-esteem in a young mind.”
Dec 4, 2023
Community
Work Life
Group 1001 Employees Make a Difference: Celebrating International Volunteer Day
International Volunteer Day is Tuesday, December 5, celebrating solidarity through volunteering. The day focuses on driving positive change through volunteering. With an inspired focus on giving back, Group 1001 is always actively seeking to contribute to the communities in which we operate. Our priority is to have a p...
Nov 8, 2023
Work Life
Corporate
Celebrate National STEM Day with Group 1001 Employees
Today is National STEM Day celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics skills! At Group 1001, hundreds of our employees have STEM degrees that have led them to rewarding and important careers.
STEM Day was created because studies revealed that U.S. students were not keeping up with other countries in ...
Oct 2, 2023
Work Life
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, we celebrate National Hispanic American Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. At Group 1001, we appreciate our diversity and strive t...
Sep 18, 2023
Work Life
Community
Sponsorship
Indy Women in Tech’s Jessica Maginn Awarded Fundraiser of the Year
Congratulations to Jessica Maginn, Marketing Communications Coordinator for Indy Women in Tech (IWiT), for being named Fundraiser of the Year by OneCause’s Raise Awards!
This award acknowledges “the rock stars among us, who aspire and inspire us each and every day. These individuals live out the organization’s mission, ...
Sep 14, 2023
Community
Work Life
Group 1001 Women Help Build Home for Family
Ten women from Group 1001 joined together for one goal: to help build the foundation for a deserving family’s home in Lebanon, Ind.
In August, Habitat for Humanity of Boone County visited the Zionsville office to speak about its mission and volunteer opportunities as part of the company’s 1001 Hours of Impact. Group 10...
Sep 13, 2023
Community
Work Life
1001 Hours of Impact Campaign Exceeds 1500 Volunteer Hours
On July 19 Group 1001 launched 1001 Hours of Impact to engage and unite employees in an ongoing corporate initiative through volunteering and impactful team events. In just six weeks, our employees went above and beyond to secure more than 1500 volunteer hours!
More than 215 employees in 11 different states volunteered...
Sep 7, 2023
Corporate
Sponsorship
Community
Work Life
Indy Women in Tech Summit Shares Strategies for Success
The Indy Women in Tech (IWiT) Summit took place Wednesday, August 30 in Indianapolis. Twenty-two employees from Group 1001 (including volunteers) attended the Summit, thanks to complimentary tickets from IWiT. More than 190 attendees in total enjoyed the session. The Summit was part of Rally, a three-day global innovat...
Aug 21, 2023
Work Life
Corporate
Community
Waltham Office Completes Successful Back-to-School Backpack Drive
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe, Former Pro Tennis Player
This quote describes the recent volunteer activity undertaken in Waltham as employees donated supplies, assembled and filled backpacks, loaded trucks, and delivered 255 fully-stocked backpacks to families in need with el...
Aug 21, 2023
Work Life
Community
Employees Are Making an Impact by Volunteering
Our employees are making an incredible impact in their communities through volunteering. Outside 1001 Hours of Impact, many have dedicated their time, energy, and passion to various causes close to their heart. Whether it was lending a helping hand at local shelters, participating in environmental clean-ups, or support...
Aug 17, 2023
Work Life
Sponsorship
Community
1001 Hours of Impact - Gleaners Food Bank Recap
Group 1001 employees have achieved 850+ hours across the company for 1001 Hours of Impact!
August 9 and 11, 100 employees joined over two days for a combined 284 hours to make a difference for food-insecure Hoosiers across 21 counties. We partnered with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana for its drive-thru food distribution...
Aug 17, 2023
Work Life
Corporate
Group 1001’s Gu Xie Is Leading the Organization to Be Data Centric in Decision Making
Gu Xie, Head of Data Engineering for Group 1001, is already making huge waves as he approaches one year on the job, leading the transformation of the organization to become data-centric. Gu built an innovative platform from the ground up, focused on new capabilities and data to enable analytic outcomes and empower team...
Aug 2, 2023
Work Life
Group 1001 Employees Are Helping Their Communities
Our employees are making an incredible impact in their communities through volunteering. Outside 1001 Hours of Impact, many have dedicated their time, energy, and passion to various causes close to their heart. Whether it was lending a helping hand at local shelters, participating in environmental clean-ups, or support...
Jun 18, 2023
Work Life
Celebrating Father's Day
When Michael Nichols was a little kid growing up in Daytona Beach, Florida, the sport of NASCAR was something he picked up by osmosis. He didn’t just take in the sport because he lives 10 miles from Daytona International Speedway, he was consumed by it. So, like any father would, Mike Nichols leaned into his son’s pass...
May 30, 2023
Work Life
Brothers Serve in Army Reserves and Work Together at Group 1001
Military Appreciation Month
As we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, two brothers deserve recognition for serving the United States Army and Group 1001. Josh Satterfield, Senior Manager for Clear Spring Life & Annuity Company (CSLAC) and Delaware Life, and brother Isaac Satterfield, Team Lead for Delaware Life, ...
May 14, 2023
Work Life
Celebrating Mother's Day
The story of how Nick Sanchez became a race car driver starts with his mom, Shanie Sanchez, and a Google search. From the time Nick was a small child, he wanted to drive anything with four wheels and an engine: the family's John Deere, ATV, golf cart, etc. So, as Nick tells it, Shanie got on Google and searched, “...
