The Black Executives Network / Le Réseau des exécutifs noirs (BEN/REN)
Welcome to the Black Executives Network Wiki Page
Visitez la page en français : Le Réseau des exécutifs noirs
About
The Black Executives Network / Le Réseau des exécutifs noirs (BEN/REN), was established in July 2020 to support Black executives in the federal public service, while working with the Government of Canada to address issues of systemic and anti-Black racism with a view to making the Canadian public service an institution that is representative at all levels, recognizes talent and leverages it to better serve all Canadians.
The network exists to ensure that the voices of Black executives and employees in the public service are heard and to be an active partner and agent of change in addressing issues of anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination in the FPS. BEN/REN provides a credible voice on the identification and response to issues ensuring that Black perspectives are taken into account in government processes and decision-making.
Context
The recent and recorded instances of police brutality against Black people in North America and the subsequent global outcry for racial equality and justice, juxtaposed against the UN Declaration for People of African Descent (UNDAPD) adopted by Canada, and the decades of work and sacrifice, have brought the issue of anti-Black and systemic racism to the forefront. These events have highlighted the need to accelerate progress in these areas.
The roots of anti-Black and systemic racism and discrimination in Canada run deep. As Black employees in the federal public service this is a foundational aspect of both our professional and personal lived experiences, impacting everything from career progression and representation, to our mental health. The experiences of anti-Black racism, as well as its impacts are varied. For example, Black women, Black LGBTQ2+ persons and Black persons with disabilities face further marginalization due to other forms of discrimination intersecting with racial discrimination.
Mission
The Black Executive's mission is to:
- Build and sustain a strong, inclusive and influential network of Black executives who are committed to public service excellence, sound stewardship and positive outcomes for all Canadians.
- Promote talent management by supporting, mentoring and sponsoring Black executives and aspiring executives.
- Exemplify the changes we want to effect in the FPS.
- Support the mental health and well-being of Black executives in the FPS.
Priorities
The following priorities represent the areas of work the network will be focusing on and collaborating with senior management and key allies to advance and support the BEN/REN Mission.
- Talent Management
- Network Communications & Engagement
- Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Data & Research
- Marketing
- Mental Health
Committee Structure
Steering Committee Members
The BEN/REN is led by a steering committee of five executives involved and engaged in leading the networks initiatives.
- Paula Folkes-Dallaire, Director General, Defence Procurement, Public Services and Procurement Canada
- Tahanee McKnight, Senior Director, Privy Council Office
- Kevin Petit-Frère, Director, Defense Construction Canada
- Hantz Prosper, Director General, Corporations Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- Richard Sharpe, Director, Department of Justice Canada
Steering Committee Secretariat
- Christopher Scipio, Senior Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) Policy Advisor and BEN/REN Senior Analyst
- Victoria Simba, BEN/REN Project Coordinator
Champions
- DM Champion: Caroline Xavier, Chief, Communications Security Establishment
- DM Champion: Shalene Curtis-Micallef, Associate Deputy Minister, Justice Canada
DM Ally Champions
- Bill Matthews, Deputy Minister of National Defence and DM ally for the UNDPAD
- Jody Thomas, National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister
Working Groups
Working Groups (WG) are formed from the membership and focus on priority areas as required. The Working Groups report to the steering committee and are supported by the secretariat in the development of work plans and the delivery of activities based on input from BEN/REN members.
Accomplishments
Since July 2020, BEN/REN has developed a mandate and mission statement, recommendations to address anti-Black and systemic racism, and an engagement strategy. In addition, the Interim Steering Committee has undertaken a number of initiatives including:
- Deputy Minister Panel discussion on the topic of equity, diversity and inclusion in support of the Clerk’s Call to Action which included Deputy Jody Thomas, Deputy Arianne Reza and Chief Statistician of Canada Anil Arora
- Engagement with the Clerk and Interim Clerk of the Privy Council (PCO) to discuss priorities for the government’s anti-Black racism, diversity and inclusion agenda
- Engagement with the OCHRO on development and implementation of a Black Executive Talent management framework
- Provision of responses to numerous requests for consultation including for the Clerk’s “Call to Action Call to action on anti-racism, equity, and inclusion in the Federal Public Service
- Drafting of written correspondence outlining key BEN/REN priorities to PCO, OCHRO and the PSC
- Coordination of several meetings of the Black Executives Network, two of which included participation of federal Cabinet Ministers, at their requests
- Broad engagement with other senior officials on issues related to anti-Black racism and racial discrimination in the FPS
- Identification of BEN/REN Champions and Deputy Minister Ally Champions
Resources
Leadership Development Inventory: Leadership Programs for both executives and future executives
A list was compiled with information from Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Human Resources and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on the leadership programs available to executives and aspiring executives. This includes conferences, certificates, workshops and more. Have a look here.
If you know of any more and would like to share with BEN/REN, please send us an email!
Professional Profiles of Black Executives
Context
The professional profiles of Black Executives is a professional profile template created by the Black Executives Network/le réseau des exécutifs noirs (BEN/REN) to highlight the existing talent of its members. This initiative, launched in 2020, is a joint effort between the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) and the Black Executives Network (BEN).
About
The professional profiles of Black Executives are a one-pager summary of professional information about Black Executives. It highlights their qualifications, accomplishments, leadership results and provides the reader with an understanding of their career ambitions.
The professional profiles are voluntarily completed by Black executives at the EX-01 through EX-03 levels, which are compiled together and included in an e-binder to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Black executive leadership talent and to help inform succession planning, support talent mobility, and increase the representation of Black executives in the federal workforce.
Objective
The profiles are shared with deputy Heads and Heads of Human Resources in participating federal public service organizations to support the identification of diverse internal talent and to ensure that highly qualified, inclusive, and agile leaders are well placed to serve Canadians.
If you wish to voluntarily share your professional profile with OCHRO and other federal public service organizations for talent management purposes, please complete the template and sign the consent form and send to reseaubenren@gmail.com.
Identification of future Black Leaders
Context
The existence of systemic barriers and challenges have long hindered the career advancement of Black Executives. This has prompted the Black Executives Network (BEN/REN) to create an alternative method to manage Black Executive Talent through the creation and use of the professional profiles of Black Executives eBinder. This was used to highlight the existing talent of our members at the director (EX-01) through Director General (EX-03) levels and increase the representation of Black executives in the federal workforce. The Black Executive eBinder is now welcomed by the heads of departments and agencies as well as heads of Human Resources within these organizations. We know that these barriers and challenges also exist for Black individuals with management and leadership capacity below the EX level, therefore our goal with this initiative is to emulate the model used to promote and support the advancement of the Black Executives community and adapt it to the feeder groups.
About
The professional profiles of Black Talent in Feeder Groups are a one-pager summary of professional information about yourself that will be showcase to senior management to support the recruitment of new directors (EX-01) in their organizations. It highlights your qualifications, accomplishments, leadership results and provides the reader with an understanding of your career ambitions. The professional profiles are voluntarily completed by Black public servants below the EX level who are promotion ready and have been at level for more than 24 months because of systemic barriers that prevent them from being considered for the same opportunities as their peers. The profiles are compiled together and included in an e-binder to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Black talent who are ready for advancement and to help inform succession planning, support talent mobility, and increase the representation of Black individuals in the federal workforce. It also helps remove barriers for Black employees who lack managerial support by introducing their profile to other managers looking to hire talent.
Objective
The profiles are shared with executives from the Black Executives Network (BEN/REN) and other managers in the public service who are looking to diversify their teams, support the identification of diverse internal talent and to ensure that qualified, inclusive, and agile individuals are well placed to serve Canadians.
Process / How-to
Your information, such as your group and level, department, skills, experience, key accomplishments and results and more is collected through a form that you must fill out on Google Forms (a Gmail account is required). Once you submit the form and agree to a privacy clause which states that your profile will be shared with hiring managers for talent management purposes, you will receive an email with a copy of your one-pager profile as a PDF file. We will also keep a copy to add to the Professional Profiles for Black Talent in Feeder Groups electronic binder.
Timeline
The next intake of profiles will occur in Fall 2022. More details will be posted here.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Victoria Simba at [[1]]
How to be involved
Membership in BEN/REN is open to people of African descent who are Federal Public Servant executives (at the EX 01 level and above, or are acting for one year or more in an EX position). If you fit that description, please consider becoming a member. BEN/REN currently has over 120 members Canada-wide. Being a member will give you the opportunity to stay connected and explore opportunities for further engagement. You will have access to our upcoming events and will have opportunities to contribute to BEN/REN's mandate.
To join, please subscribe to our mailing list by sending us your name, title and department/agency to reseaubenren@gmail.com
Self Identification
We encourage all Black employees to self-identify in surveys and employment processes to give BEN/REN and the government an accurate picture of Black representation and experiences in the public service
Contact us
GC Collab: The Black Executives Network / Le Réseau des exécutif noirs (BEN/REN)
GC Connex: The Black Executives Network / Le Réseau des exécutif noirs (BEN/REN)
Email: reseaubenren@gmail.com
