Black History Month: Honoring the Voices That Shape Our Culture

Santa Barbara, CA – February 26, 2026 – Black History Month was established by historian Carter G. Woodson to recognize the achievements and contributions of Black Americans whose impact has shaped our nation.  

At Partners Personnel, we believe honoring that legacy means more than recognition. It means listening. Throughout this month, we invited several colleagues to share reflections on the people, moments, and values that have shaped who they are today.  

• Is there a person, moment, or piece of history that has deeply influenced who you are today?
• How has your background shaped the way you show up in your life or career?
• What’s a value rooted in your culture or upbringing that you carry with you every day?

Here’s what they shared. 

For Area Manager, April Jones, identity and lived experiences have shaped how she connects with others and how she leads with intention. 

When asked how her background shaped her career, she shared, “Being biracial has given me a unique lens on the world… It’s also created a deep sense of responsibility to lead by example, especially in spaces where people may not have had many interactions across different cultures or backgrounds.” 

That perspective carries into her work every day as she states, “Staffing is more than placing talent. It’s about creating opportunities that strengthen businesses, empower people, and connect communities.” 

For Reggie Kimbell, our Implementation Manager, the message centered on collaboration and excellence. Raised in a community that prioritized supporting one another, he approaches both life and career as a team effort. 

When asked how his background shaped the way he shows up, he shared, “You don’t succeed by yourself, you succeed together. So, in my career, I try to bring that energy into every room I’m in.” 

When reflecting on a moment in history that influenced him, he pointed to the Tuskegee Airmen, “They had so many people doubting them, but they showed up anyway and excelled. That mentality, proving people wrong by just being excellent, has always pushed me.” 

For Account Executive Jshuane Melton in Chesterfield, VA, we heard a story rooted in legacy and resilience. Reflecting on the moment that shaped him, he shared, “I was nine when I first heard the stories from a cousin of what my grandparents had experienced as one of less than a handful of black property owners in a small town along the Maryland and Delaware border, where a roadside sign marks the point where the Mason-Dixon line cuts through.”

Rather than allowing those challenges to define them, his grandparents chose to remain rooted, committed to their community, and focused on building a legacy through service and leadership.

Their perseverance and commitment to community continue to influence how he shows up today. As Jshuane explained, “Professionally, I carry their work ethic and dedication, personally, I carry their empathy and desire to somehow enrich the lives of people whose life arc crosses my own and leave them in a better place, one way or another, from where I found them.”

For Ron Swope, Director of Safety, we heard a clear theme of discipline and service shaped by his military and federal service background. He shared that those years built his “discipline, situational awareness, and commitment to doing things the right way, even when no one is watching,” reinforcing his belief that every decision has a human impact. 

At the core of his leadership is a value instilled early in life: “I was raised to understand that your word matters, your work matters, and the way you treat people matters even more.” 

He also reflected on personal loss, including the experience that led to founding Lauren’s Touch Foundation, sharing that it “profoundly changed me… It reminded me that life is fragile, people matter, and the work we do should leave others better than we found them.” 

For Ja’nae Dickerson, Account Executive in New Albany, IN, we heard a theme of hope, progress, and personal accountability, shaped both by history and by her grandmother’s influence. 

Reflecting on a moment that deeply influenced her, she shared, “When Barack Obama became president as the first African American president, it was a historic and emotional moment for me… hopeful for my child and future generations who will grow up knowing that anything is possible.” 

Equally influential was being raised by her grandmother, who instilled discipline, consistency, and integrity from an early age. As Ja’nae put it, “My grandmother taught me to always find a reason to show up, not an excuse to opt out.” 

The stories shared by our colleagues reflect strength, collaboration, resilience, service, and hope. They remind us that Black History Month is not only something we honor, but something that continues to shape leadership, opportunity, and community today. 

Each year, we look for meaningful ways to better amplify the voices of our colleagues and create space for connection and understanding. We do this in part through our voluntary Employee Resource Groups: 

• DEIU (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Unity) is focused on fostering awareness, allyship, and inclusive dialogue across our organization. 

• IFN (Interfaith Network) is dedicated to encouraging shared wisdom, cultural understanding, and respectful conversations across spiritual and philosophical perspectives. 

We are grateful to the colleagues who shared their voices. And we remain committed to creating workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and empowered — this month and every month.