Action and inaction matter

Reflect on the historical strides of Black and African American communities. Commit to the change that redefines the future.
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Taking action against injustice and inequity

How can we address racial injustice and inequity for Black and African American communities in a meaningful way—ensuring that Black communities at and beyond Microsoft prosper? Here, we break down Microsoft’s key commitments and the progress we’re continuing to build on every day.

Learn more about our commitments 

Over a dark orange background with yellow graphics on the edges that look like fabric prints, bold white text that reads: “Racial Equity Initiative: Increasing Representation and Strengthening Inclusion” and a black bar on the bottom with the word “Progress”.

Increasing representation and inclusion

We’re building on our momentum through a $150 million investment in the US to strengthen inclusion and double the number of Black and African American, as well as Hispanic and Latinx, people managers, senior individual contributors, and senior leaders at Microsoft by 2025.

Engaging our ecosystem

We’re using our balance sheet and relationships with suppliers and partners to foster societal change and create new opportunities in the communities that need them most.

Over a yellow-orange background with red and yellow graphics on the edges that look like fabric prints, bold black text that reads: “Racial Equity Initiative: Engaging Our Ecosystem” and a black bar on the bottom with the word “Progress”.
Over a maroon background with orange and yellow graphics on the edges that look like fabric prints, bold white text that reads: “Racial Equity Initiative: Strengthening Our Communities” and a white bar on the bottom with the word “Progress”.

Strengthening our communities

We’re using data, technology, and partnerships to help improve the lives of Black and African American people across the US, including our employees and their communities.

Small acts drive big change

Lauren Gardner and Bill Borden, executive co-sponsors of the Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) employee resource group, explore the impact of Black and African American communities within and beyond Microsoft. 

Learn more
Over a black background with a graphic of wavy yellow-striped red lines, a portrait photo Lauren Gardner (in a black and white blouse) and Bill Borden (in a blue suit), co-sponsors of the Black at Microsoft employee resource group.

Got any advice?

Three employees share lessons they’ve learned from their experiences at Microsoft.

“Leave it all out on the court”

As a musician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Reggie Shareef is committed to building a future where Black communities and culture flourish.
Over a black background, abstract graphics in red, green, yellow, and orange that look like fabric prints. Overlaid on this is a photo of Jasmine Hoegh—a Black Microsoft employee and gamer—wearing a leather jacket, turquoise necklace, and orange and blue shirt.

“Don’t be intimidated”

A life-long gamer, Jasmine Hoegh steps out of her comfort zone, trusting that her own leaps will help shape the future—both for herself and others—in the Black community.
Over a black background, abstract graphics in red, green, yellow, and orange that look like fabric prints. Overlaid on this is a photo of Mac Agbonavbare—a Black Microsoft employee—wearing glasses, a light blue button-down shirt, and a navy blue blazer.

“Never limit yourself”

When faced with uncertainty and doubt, Mac Agbonavbare leans on the support of others to find the courage and strength to follow his dreams.

Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships

BAM is dedicated to supporting the continued growth and development of black employees and encouraging students to pursue a career in technology. 
Learn more
Over a white and yellow backdrop with turquoise and pink graphics, a portrait photo of Black woman in a beige sweater smiling.

Microsoft Black Partner Growth Initiative

Enroll today and gain access to a collection of programs and resources designed to support the growth of Black-owned technology businesses within the Microsoft Partner Network.

Learn more

Bringing Black and African American heritage to life in a virtual museum

An animated gif showcasing various views and portrait images of Black change-makers featured in Microsoft’s virtual museum exhibit “The Legacy Project”.
An animated gif showcasing locations—including a theater, a hotel, a YMCA, and local businesses—from a full digital re-creation and tour of the early 20th-century Black Wall Street in Tulsa Oklahoma, featured in Microsoft’s virtual Legacy Museum.

The Legacy Museum is a virtual museum experience from Microsoft Stores featuring over 200 Black and African American change-makers, including Stacey Abrams, John Legend, Dwyane Wade, John Lewis, and Trevor Noah. In its second year of development, the museum has expanded throughout the industries of Business, Technology, Entertainment, Justice, Sports, and Education to highlight innovators and pioneers from past and present. One new expansion to the museum is a gallery dedicated to a full digital re-creation and tour of early 20th Century Black Wall Street before and after the 1920 Tulsa Massacre. The updated museum also includes new educational galleries focusing on various histories throughout Africa and Canada.

Visit the exhibit

A black background featuring abstract graphic elements—on the right, red lines with intermittent yellow stripes resembling the sun and red, yellow, and green triangles forming an abstract mountain; and on the left, red and orange fabric prints lines representing two intertwined trees. In the center, at the top, are several yellow circles that like tree leaves—and below them is the Xbox logo in red and green.

Xbox celebrates Black History Month with support of Black creators, gamers, and a culture of inclusion

Find out how you can engage, make an impact, and celebrate Black History Month with Xbox, including Twitch livestream events elevating Black community stories, creators, and developers; Xbox inclusive hiring events; plus studio-led activations, in-game content, and more.

Visit the Xbox community
A black background featuring abstract graphic elements—on the left, red lines with intermittent yellow stripes resembling the sun; and on the right, red and orange fabric prints with green lines representing three intertwined trees. Overlaid on this are posters for four games available on Xbox: The Gunk, Marvel Avengers, Boyfriend Dungeon, and Before I Forget.

Games

Discover games—selected by Black communities at Microsoft—including Black creators, leads, and character creation options. Visit aka.ms/xbk to learn more.
Explore all games
A black background featuring abstract graphic elements—on the left, red lines with intermittent yellow stripes resembling the sun; and on the right, red and orange fabric prints with green lines representing three intertwined trees. Overlaid on this are posters for four movies available on Xbox: The Photograph, Candyman, King Richard, and The WaterMan.

Movies and TV

Explore movies and TV—selected by Black communities at Microsoft—including Black creators, leads, history, and more. Visit aka.ms/xbk to learn more.
Explore all movies and TV
Over a black background, there are yellow, red, and pink graphic swags and a bold logo that reads: “BGR! Book Club.”

Join the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Book Club

Each month, the book club highlights a new thought-provoking book and hosts a live virtual event featuring the author in conversation with a BGR! alumna.

Learn more

Support Black communities with Xbox and Microsoft Rewards

Microsoft Rewards Members in the United States can earn and donate points to organizations supporting Black communities through Xbox. Xbox gamers can earn Microsoft Rewards points in various ways, such as playing or purchasing games after downloading the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox. Earn points and redeem them for real rewards. Join today and donate through Xbox.  The below organizations will be featured on console throughout February:

Over a black background, a white and blue logo that says “cxmmunity.”
Cxmmunity is a nonprofit organization, committed to increasing the representation of minorities in esports through STEAM education and career development opportunities.
A black and gold logo for BLACK GIRLS ROCK!
BLACK GIRLS ROCK! is a global women’s movement and philanthropic organization dedicated to celebrating and empowering women and girls of color by producing inspiring media content and providing enrichment programs that foster positive identity development, critical thinking, leadership, literacy, and tech and innovation skills.
Over a white background, a blue, purple, red, yellow, black and green logo with the letters “GH” above black text that says “Gameheads”.
Gameheads is a tech training program that uses video game design, development, and DevOps to create diverse talent and bold new voices, train youth of color for the tech eco-system, and prepare them for college, career, and civic life.
Ten hands of various skin tones join together in a pile to form a pact.

Support Black History Month with Microsoft Rewards

Choose a nonprofit to support through Give with Bing and earn Rewards points that are automatically donated each month.
Learn more
A screenshot of the Black History Month Background for edge, featuring a search bar in the center, the weather in the top left, account settings in the top right. The background itself features a black backdrop with abstract graphics that resemble tress, a mountain, and the sun. On the left, red and orange fabric prints with green lines form an abstract representation of trees; and on the right, red lines with intermittent yellow stripes form the sun while yellow, orange, and green triangles come together to form a mountain.

Personalize Microsoft Edge with four new Black History Month themes

Download these Black History Month backgrounds for Microsoft Teams