BLXCK Impact at TikTok!

TikTok aims to celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of the Black community all year long, and especially during Black History Month. Our Employee Resource Group (ERG), BLXCK, works to connect and empower Black talent across the company. We spoke with Maulana, Armond, and Kaitlin about their roles at TikTok, the goals of BLXCK, and their experiences as people of color in tech.

How long have you been at TikTok? What is your role?

Maulana: I started at TikTok as an Agency Partnerships Manager at the New York City office in March 2022 - wow, can't believe I'm coming up on my first anniversary!

Kaitlin: I started TikTok in August 2021 and I am on our United States Data Security (USDS) Trust & Safety Operations Team in Nashville, Tennessee.

Armond: I've been with TikTok for nine months out of Washington D.C. I am on the USDS Legal Policy Operations team as a Law Enforcement Response Specialist. My team is responsible for ensuring TikTok is in compliance with legal process requests for user data.

What is BLXCK? What does BLXCK aim to achieve?

Kaitlin: BLXCK is an ERG to support and uplift the Black voices within TikTok. We want everyone to feel seen and celebrate their uniqueness and individuality. We aim to create a community alongside our allies and empower Black employees at TikTok.

Armond: We have formal governance and executive sponsorship, partnering closely with the business to provide cultural insights which supports corporate commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Maulana: The goal of the group is to provide a cross-culturally competent and inclusive workplace.

Tell us about your favorite part about being a member of BLXCK. Are there any events that you participated in?

Kaitlin: My favorite part about being a member of BLXCK is the chance to network with talented individuals. As a BLXCK member, I was able to participate in AfroTech [a yearly conference for Black professionals in the tech industry] this past November. The opportunity to meet TikTok employees from other offices and like-minded individuals in tech was a truly amazing experience. My company being involved in something with such a cultural impact elicited a sense of pride in my organization.

Armond: My favorite part is the people! I participated in a Juneteeth event in Chicago last summer and it was incredible. I had less than one month on the job, and the people at the event all had several years of experience. They were a wealth of knowledge on navigating the landscape of the company and working for a large employer in general. Being a member of BLXCK has exposed me to many successful, like-minded people I may have never met otherwise.

Maulana: My favorite part about being a member of BLXCK is having a community of people that not only share a common workplace, but a common interest. We ensure Black employees are supported, whether that's through culturally relevant events happening in our world, or with growth and development at TikTok. We all draw from our personal experiences, but find common themes in our stories that allow us to connect to events happening across the country.

When do you feel the most seen at TikTok?

Armond: I feel most seen when I have one-on-one meetings with my manager. We spend time adjusting things that need calibration, and afterwards we just connect about whatever else is on our minds. We're all very busy with our work, but she makes a point to honor our time commitment and shows up ready and engaged. It's an exchange of authenticity that means a lot to me.

Maulana: I feel the most seen at TikTok when colleagues recognize my effort in supporting agencies and advertisers. A lot goes on behind the scenes to make sure our clients are happy and growing. It's nice to have colleagues send me a quick note thanking me for helping support a client.

Kaitlin: I feel most seen through my diversity and inclusion initiatives in Nashville. The feeling of having the support from leadership, administration, and peers is such a great feeling. Which reinforces my voice being heard.

How does TikTok encourage you to bring your most authentic self to work? How do you support others to do the same?

Kaitlin: TikTok encourages me to bring my most authentic self because of our mission to inspire creativity and bring joy. I can't truly live up to our mission if I'm not my most authentic self! In addition, TikTok supported my creativity that I showcased locally here in Nashville, and how I navigated to my current role on BLXCK's executive board as Membership Co-Chair. I will continue to support others by encouraging them and providing opportunities so that they are able to shine as well.

Maulana: Representation is so important in ensuring authenticity and safety in the workplace. Seeing other Black people show up as their authentic selves encourages me - and often reminds me - to show up authentically, too. Bringing my most authentic self means being comfortable sharing my ideas and boldly showing up in my personal style. I try to recognize others when glimpses of their own authenticity peek through in conversation or actions, e.g. giving them space to speak in groups, complimenting the way they handled a deliverable, etc.

Armond: It's the small things for me. My previous employers had strict policies about appearance. TikTok has no such policies and that means the world to me. Having the freedom to wear what I want to work is more liberating than I imagined! I support others in their journeys to be authentic by living the golden rule – treating others as I want to be treated, with dignity and respect in all situations.

Is there anything you wish you had known prior to starting your career?

Maulana: I think it's important to take calculated risks. These can be really scary! Especially if you're a planner like me. But it's important to step out on faith and raise your hand for that project or explore that new role. It's also important to build relationships. Get to know your neighbors, talk about your interests openly, and don't be afraid to talk about your strengths - you never know when someone will be asked about you when you're not in a room to speak for yourself.

Armond: You don't need to check every box of knowledge, skills, and abilities when applying for a job. If you see something that excites you, go for it and apply! Let them tell you 'no' instead of you doing it. The one skill to build that unlocks all the others is talking to strangers. They are only strangers the first time you talk to them. That unlocks your networking acumen, ability to adjust after rejection, etc. The more you talk to people you don't know, the easier it becomes.

Kaitlin: I wish I would've known more about the many opportunities that the tech field offers. This inspires my initiatives within the BLXCK ERG - to help others be aware of opportunities available. I believe leadership skills are essential building blocks for any career path.

TikTok is committed to both acknowledging our differences and to celebrating them. We're proud of the differences we bring to the table when people come as they are – and the work they inspire. If you're interested in working with a diverse and dynamic team, check out careers at TikTok here