Meet Karine Kasongo, she’s an Assistant Project Manager in our Toronto office, but she’s also an active committee member for Roots – our employee resource group that focuses on creating impact for our Black professionals and community. She shares her thoughts on what it means to be a part of the group, and how they advocate for industry-wide change.
Creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected is really important. We need to make sure that diverse voices are heard and that we all have equal opportunities to succeed.
Roots is where Black professionals can share experiences, be themselves and support one another.
I am glad that I can connect with others to build connections, whether it be a friendship or a great business relationship.
‘Roots’ is representative of our foundation. We are all different and yet we have so much in common, it allows us to share and connect through our personal stories.
Our name reflects the group’s mission to support, uplift, and empower Black professionals. By focusing on our roots, the group underscores the importance of community, solidarity, and the collective journey toward achieving greater representation, equity, and success in the workplace.
We are strong, confident, brave, and resourceful. Through our collective strength, we create a safe space for Black professionals, providing essential resources, mentorship and opportunities for professional growth.
We want to elevate the voices of the Black community and influence systematic change within the organization. We’re focusing on building meaningful relationships, raising awareness of the issues impacting our group members and pushing a few boundaries along the way. Ultimately, we want to create a culture where everyone’s contributions are recognized and valued equally.
Being a part of Roots has presented me with opportunities to connect with Avison Young professionals from other service lines and markets that I might not have had ordinarily.
This makes my experience as an employee better – because I get to know more people, but also it means we’re building a stronger, more connected workforce in general. I also love that being a part of this group means that I can tap into the skills I don’t use as part of my everyday job – like programming, engagement and recruitment to support our goals.
It might seem like a small thing, but when I joined Avison Young, the Roots group posted an announcement on our internal communication network to welcome me to the company.
It was such a kind gesture and made me feel so welcome from day one. Feeling welcome is a massive part of inclusion – and just feeling seen is really important too.
We have bridged geographies and departments – helping people connect who otherwise might not have had the opportunity. We do this through virtual events and webinars, hosting fireside chats with great speakers – making sure we hear from both internal experts and external voices.
We also post a lot of engaging and educational content on our internal communications channel and have had great feedback about our recent content initiatives.
I hope to see more diversity throughout the firm, specifically in leadership roles. I’m also excited about the growth and development opportunities we can offer our Black professionals – supporting them in all our offices through mentorship, professional development and networking.
As Roots continues to gain momentum, I look forward to seeing more people at our events, making new connections and welcoming everyone who wants to learn and embrace diversity.
