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Our anti-racism commitment

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We’re standing together to fight racism, drive progress and empower Black professionals.

At EY, we set out every day to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) workplace that values and embraces the unique differences of our people. That commitment is core to who we are and how we work. Embedding DEI into everything we do makes each of us responsible for creating a culture where everyone feels like they belong.

We’re proud to be making meaningful progress in our DEI journey including bold initiatives to enable, accelerate and celebrate the achievements and long-term success of Black professionals.

Learn how we’re taking sustained action and leading with accountability to end racism and build a better working world where everyone belongs.

  • Dialogue

    We’re engaging in conversation with our Black professionals and community partners to hear their voices, understand their values and support their professional development.

    • The EY Black Professionals Network (BPN) is a community where members can build connections and share experiences while helping the firm reimagine what recruiting, retention and engagement looks like for our Black professionals to succeed. Learn about our other professional networks here.
    • During Black History Month, EY is hosting Expos-EY to showcase the important contributions of Black Canadians and their communities to history. Events include panel discussions with EY leaders, Black entrepreneurs and prominent community leaders, an exhibition featuring art by Afro-descendant artists and Afro-culinary tastings.

  • Action

    Fighting racism and discrimination requires ongoing, purposeful action and wide collaboration by our people, clients, vendors and communities. Here are some actions we’re taking:

    • Entrepreneurs Access Network: This business accelerator program supports Black and Indigenous entrepreneurs across Canada in building sustainable, scalable business enterprises. It looks to identify and address the unique coaching, connections, curricula and capital barriers these entrepreneurs face.
    • Supplier diversity: For over 15 years, EY member firms have been procuring products and services from diverse-owned business, defined as 51% owned and operated by a minority, woman, 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous person, veteran or person with a disability. Learn more.
    • BlackNorth Initiative: We partnered with the BlackNorth Initiative on a five-year plan to strengthen DEI in the workplace, advance the recruitment of Black professionals across EY, and work with external organizations on new supplier opportunities. EY Chair and CEO Jad Shimaly sits on the board to help drive this important effort.
    • Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards: For the last three years, EY has sponsored the Afroglobal Excellence Awards Gala, which celebrates the achievements of individuals and organizations that have made a profound difference in the lives of people of African descent. Our own Theo Yameogo, leader of EY Canada’s Mining & Metals Sector won the prestigious 2021 Science & Technology Award.

  • Community Investment

    We work to build strong, inclusive communities through EY Ripples, our global corporate responsibility program. Our people bring their talents, experience and passion to non-profit organizations and social enterprises to improve lives and further the careers of individuals in minority groups.

    Organizations we proudly support include:

    • FACE Coalition: supporting Black entrepreneurs applying for loan funding with accounting and tax services to help finalize their applications.
    • makingTheMove: provides career coaching to skilled African immigrants in Canada and connects them to industry leaders.
    Since the inception of makingTheMove in 2020, EY Ripples has played a vital role in coaching and mentoring over 200 participants across emerging fields such as cybersecurity, data analytics, diversity, equity and inclusion… helping our clients secure multiple job offers.
    Teniola Onabanjo
    Founder & CEO of makingTheMove

  • Education

    The more we know, the more we can do. We have a responsibility to be properly informed if we are to be strong advocates to drive progress against racism in and beyond the workplace.

    As part of our pledge to the BlackNorth Initiative, our Inclusive Leadership for All training aims to do just that by educating our people on the challenges and barriers faced by the Black community in Canada.

    To further your own education, read insights on the impact of inclusivity for Black professionals.

     

Relevant content

EY Global Executive Diversity & Inclusion Statement

EY Global Executive Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The EY GE have signed a statement to demonstrate their commitment to leading inclusively and an increased focus on D&I progress.

Learn more

Equity in entrepreneurship for Black and Latino entrepreneurs

Aim beyond the buzz of inclusive culture to truly foster high-performing organizations

Creating an inclusive culture requires an organization to put humans at the centre of structures, programs, processes, policies and communications..

Learn more

BlackNorth Initiative pledge

BlackNorth Initiative pledge

EY Canada was an early signatory of the BlackNorth Initiative pledge with a strong commitment to addressing anti-Black racism in corporate Canada.

Learn more

 

2022 corporate responsibility report

See how we’re building a better working world.

Read report

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