Hear from Members of the Black Knowsters Network

Every February, the United States celebrates Black History Month to honor the history, triumphs, adversities, and contributions of Black Americans. Our employee resource group, the Black Knowsters Network, leads our efforts to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans to history, culture, and society. At KnowBe4, we continue to build a diverse workplace culture where all Knowsters can be their authentic selves, including our Black and African American communities. In today’s blog, we hear from some of our Black Knowsters Network employee resource group on what this month means to them.

Meet Kivi, Advanced Support Technical Manager

What has your career journey at KnowBe4 looked like?

I started at KnowBe4 five years ago as a Core Support Technician. Since then, I’ve been promoted twice and am now an Advanced Support Technical Manager!

How are you celebrating Black History Month?

Black History Month means recognition and appreciation; a time to recognize the contributors to Black history and be thankful for everyone who paved the way for the freedoms I have today.

How has the Black Knowsters Network ERG impacted your time at KnowBe4?

The idea of having an employee resource group was new to me. So the idea of the Black Knowsters Network (BKN) brings me extreme joy. It is severely underrated to have a subset of individuals within your organization that you can go to with anything, and they genuinely understand. Through the BKN, I have been able to get back into mentoring through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, which has always been a passion of mine.

Meet Val, Senior Team Exapansion Specialist II

What has your career journey at KnowBe4 looked like? 

Without sounding incredibly cheesy, my journey with KnowBe4 has been a 10/10 experience so far! I still remember the excitement of being told that I was being offered a role on the Expansion Team, and I feel like I still have that same excitement about my role today. I've had more opportunities to continue growing professionally and personally within KnowBe4 than I ever had with previous employers. I love the collaboration between my team and the departments that I'm hiring for. The ongoing support and mentorship that I receive as a Knowster has 100% contributed to meeting my career goals. 

How are you celebrating Black History Month?

I love learning about how impactful the Black community was, and is, to shaping the world we now know, especially inventors and innovators that we were not taught about in school. It's incredibly eye opening to learn how many everyday products or technology came from a POC.

How has the Black Knowsters Network ERG impacted your time at KnowBe4?

It has made me feel more encouraged about how serious KnowBe4 takes diversity and inclusion. We had nothing but support from the company as we were building and developing this group. Overall, being a part of the BKN has given me a stronger sense of community and inclusion within KnowBe4.

Meet Doug, Advanced Support Director

What has your career journey at KnowBe4 looked like?

I’ve been privileged to move up through Support, starting as a Core Support Technician. I then went to Advanced Support, and then I moved into management as a Core Support Manager. I went from Advanced Support Manager to Core Support Director. I’ve finally landed as an Advanced Support Director, and I am very content!

How are you celebrating Black History Month?

I’m taking a few days off first and foremost. I believe that Black people fought, struggled, and died so that the generations after them would have it easier. I have a wonderful job that lets me take time off to reflect and rest, and I’ll use that time to honor them.

How has the Black Knowsters Network ERG impacted your time at KnowBe4?

I have made a ton more Black friends! For most of my life, a large chunk of my friends have been non-POC. I’ve since found people who share some of my experiences and thoughts about navigating this world. They have created a safe place for me to speak freely with my fellow Knowsters.