February 15, 2024
We’re proud to share that in December 2023, almost 30 Black professionals graduated from PwC Canada’s Amplifying Black Leaders (ABLe) program. ABLe is a personal and professional leadership development program for Black professionals at the firm. It’s one of the first of its kind to launch at a large professional services organization in Canada.
Over the last six months, participants attended monthly leadership development sessions. These interactive sessions focused on how to set and attain goals, create a winning self-image, overcome barriers to success, demonstrate effective leadership and solve problems.
We sat down with three graduates to discuss the program’s impact on them professionally and personally.
I was able to meet Black professionals from across Canada, gain different perspectives on diverse experiences and find a comforting environment where it was okay to be vulnerable. I now feel more confident, connected and conscious of the impact of my actions.
The program empowered me to plan for my career and take actions to achieve something great. It’s helped me identify the tools and qualities of an effective leader, set bold goals and grow through challenges. It’s motivated me to inspire other Black professionals to be visible and grow their network too.
It taught me the importance of avoiding self-imposed limitations and encouraging a mindset of boundless possibilities. I’ve fostered a more optimistic outlook, which I now integrate into my day-to-day routine—I’ve noticed an enhancement in my work.
The greatest difference has come from reflecting on the topics we explored and the mental models I’ve developed for navigating difficult situations and building teams. The program also reinforced the importance of reflecting on my actions and values, and when they don’t align.
I left with new tools and strategies I can apply to my own experiences, as well as some helpful suggestions I hadn’t considered or didn’t think I was capable of. Now I have the confidence to attempt these strategies because I know they’ve worked for others.
The program has inspired me to continue to help others and reveal my own untapped potential. It’s also helped me understand how to balance work and my personal life without compromising professionalism. Plus, I was able to develop lots of new meaningful connections!
Programs like ABLe are crucial for fostering honest discussions in our diverse workplace. ABLe creates a space to feel comfortable and foster confidence, and this inclusivity promotes a more diverse range of thoughts that can strengthen our collective abilities to reimagine the possible.
ABLe is an important, Black-focused program led by a Black person. I appreciate this because sometimes it takes someone in your shoes to understand what you’re going through. Many Black people know how to do their work, but lack of self-confidence can be a barrier to thinking they can aspire to important positions. This program is a safe place where Black professionals can talk openly and relate to the experiences of other Black professionals, learning to overcome old patterns to make breakthroughs and achieve great results.
ABLe provides an opportunity for professional development and equips us with tools to be better leaders at the firm. The program creates a space to share experiences and learn from colleagues facing similar challenges. By design, it’s a support group for Black professionals. ABLe offers inspirational role models and success stories, motivating others and building a sense of community and support while demonstrating PwC Canada’s strong commitment to diversity.
Khoi, Indigenous Markets Lead, shares about his relationships with Indigenous communities and the work he’s doing to advance reconciliation at the firm.
Bruce, Director in Tax, shares his pride about the important work of PwC Canada’s Indigenous Inclusion Network.
Mel, Indigenous Reconciliation Lead Manager, shares her personal and professional journeys along the path of reconciliation.
Emmy shares how the loss of her dad led her to mental health advocacy, motivating her to support various initiatives to help others.