Celebrating Black History Month


During the month of February, we’re recognizing Black History Month by honoring those that have exemplified Black Excellence.

At Republic Services, we maintain an unwavering commitment to the full inclusivity of all people and groups in our workplace and in our communities. We value being inclusive of our employees’ diverse backgrounds, experiences and cultures. More importantly, we acknowledge the systematic race issues that drive inequality and injustice for our Black communities and are committing to do our part to address these issues within our people and the in the communities we serve.

As we begin to think about the contributions and the impact that Blacks have made in our society and we celebrate them during the month of February, we encourage you to continue our MLK Day goal of “reflection and connection.” We recommend you to participate in the 21 Day Reflection and Connection Challenge which runs through February 8. Additionally, take some time to watch the video’s of this year’s MLK Reflection and Connection virtual event. We will also highlight a few of our key business partners and our charitable giving efforts in some of the communities we serve. These opportunities are an important way that we can all continue to learn and grow and help make Republic an even more welcoming and inclusive workplace.

We believe that our culture is a differentiating factor that contributes to our success and makes Republic Services unique. One key element of our culture is the commitment to create an inclusive environment where we invite and encourage diverse perspectives, ideas, people, and cultures. It is this inclusive approach that allows us to remain competitive and innovative—now and in the future.


Did You Know?

Black History Month began in 1915 after Harvard historian Carter G. Woodson and fearless minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and sponsored a week to celebrate black achievements. The second week of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event catapulted through schools and communities nationwide as well as a host of other organizations. Nearly a decade later, thanks in part to the work of the civil rights movement and a growing awareness of Black identity, a week evolved into Black History Month.

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”