Amazon’s First Affinity Group (& Jeff B’s Response)

Source: Black Employee Network (BEN), submitted by Anthony Cole & Angelina Howard Published: 2019

Source: Black Employee Network (BEN), submitted by Anthony Cole & Angelina Howard
Published: 2019

Amazon’s First Affinity Group

Circulated: April 2, 2019

In August 2005, Gino White stood up at All Hands and asked Jeff Bezos, “Why doesn’t Amazon have an affinity group for Black employees?”. Jeff’s answer, “You should start one!”. Gino took the challenge and created the Black Employee Network, making it the 1st affinity group established at Amazon. BEN now has grown to 2,000+ Amazonians across the world! BEN’s purpose is to provide a support structure for Black employees at Amazon and to champion diversity throughout the company.