Making a 'BIG' Difference: Meet the SAS Black Initiatives Group!

The BIG Group can’t wait to gather in-person again, but for now, they’re staying safe and meeting virtually. We love this group portrait above of the Black Initiatives Group leadership council titled “An Evening of Excellence,” created by BIG co-chair Christopher Williams.

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Our SAS culture blends our different backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas from employees in nearly 60 countries around the world. We’re intentional about cultivating diversity in our workforce because we know it inspires our curiosity and makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

One way we do this is through our Employee Inclusion Groups (EIGs). EIGs are company-sponsored, voluntary, employee-led, and employee-driven groups that serve as a resource for employees and our company.

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on our Black Initiatives Group, or “BIG” for short. BIG’s mission is to empower Black employees to bring their full selves to work, to highlight their contributions and talents and to inspire young Black talent to pursue careers in STEM.

BIG acknowledges the limitations of the term “Black,” and extends their mission to encompass employees who identify as Black, African, African American, West Indian, Copper Skinned, Indigenous, American Indian, Afro-Latinx or of African descent. However, the group encourages and welcomes the partnership of anyone who is passionate about their mission!

Clearly, this group is doing some amazing work – and there are a lot of people to thank! BIG is led by a group of 12 talented SAS employees from across the company (and the country).

Click the orange “next” button at the top right of this page to get to know our Black Initiatives Group leadership council.

Making a 'BIG' impact

BIG embodies our company values and lives out their mission through a variety of activities, including (but not limited to):

Creating space and promoting opportunities to highlight Black talent and contributions at SAS

Exploring ways to uncover and address hidden barriers to growth and innovation

Collaborating with HR and SAS leadership to promote a more inclusive work environment

Creating a sense of community for Black employees across the organization

Developing and strengthening relationships between SAS and Black professional networks and university associations

Participating in efforts to attract young Black talent to SAS and careers in STEM

Collaborating with other SAS EIGs to advance SAS’s global diversity & inclusion initiatives

Volunteering in local communities

Every Friday, BIG hosts a virtual meeting open to all SAS employees. Known as "BIG Friday," the group discusses topics ranging from company happenings to world events, from a Black perspective.

We value and appreciate the unique perspectives and talents our Black Initiatives Group brings to our company, and look forward to a future of doing “the work.”

To learn more about diversity and inclusion at SAS, visit our webpage.