Kering and Black in Corporate Are Hoping to Inspire Future Black Leaders

Ask any HR professional and they’ll say that finding a mentor is a crucial step in advancing your career, especially when navigating all of the unwritten rules that come with working in corporate environments. But what happens when there are few people who look like you in positions of power? That’s where Black in Corporate comes in. Founded in 2020 by Candace Marie as a way to support Black individuals looking to advance in their fields, the organization is partnering up with luxury conglomerate Kering on a 3-month virtual mentorship program. 

This isn’t the first time they’ve worked together. Back in 2021 the two linked up for a one-month program that provided guidance and support for Black professionals. The goal, then and now, is to create pathways for personal and professional success, especially in fields that BIPOC talent find riddled with obstacles and racial biases. “With the extended program time, my hope is that this will allow the mentees to establish and develop deeper relationships coupled with a stronger understanding of the inner workings of the organization, in an effort to create and foster more opportunities for Black talent,” says Marie in the press release.

For Kering, the partnership is important too, ““Our first initiative with Black In Corporate was an incredible success for mentees and mentors alike, and we are thrilled to partner again to connect, inspire, and empower talent. [We] prioritize learning and development at all stages of one’s career and understand the critical role that mentorship serves in navigating our industry, especially for BIPOC talent whose experiences can include systemic obstacles and racial biases,” says Laurent Claquin, President of Kering Americas.

The program isn’t limited to those interested in design roles at Kering either — mentees can find guides in a variety of departments including marketing and advertising, project management and operations, human resources, financial services, legal, media and communications, and technology. Applications open up today and those interested have until March 9 to apply.