INSIDE MOMENTIVE

BUILD leader Musaab Ibrahim shares his thoughts on the importance of feedback, addressing systemic issues, and hope.

Zachary Nunn

February 3, 2022 | 3 min read

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In honor of Black History Month, we’re featuring Q&A’s with different Black leaders here at Momentive. I asked each of our leaders the same four questions, but got very different, yet equally inspirational answers.

This interview is with Musaab Ibrahim, an account executive and the co-leader of our BUILD employee resource group—an internal organization which supports our community of color. 

What are ways that you believe Momentive supports its Black employees?

Momentive hears Black employees. While some organizations listen and set goals, Momentive has internalized Black employee sentiment and set an intention for deep-rooted change and meaningful action in everything we do.

DEI is no longer merely a part of our company DNA, but has evolved into our company consciousness. It is entrenched not only in who we are but in how we think and exist as an organization and a global influencer. It would be naive to claim that all our problems have been solved, but by continuing to consume feedback as a pillar of accountability and a building block for change, I am confident in the future we are BUILDing.

As leaders, what policies, processes, or practices can executives back to support a better future for Black folks at work?

Proactive inclusion—not only in representation but in decision making. At this point, we can all agree that paths to leadership look differently for everyone. With this recognition comes a responsibility for executive teams to meet marginalized groups in their paths to growth, as opposed to waiting for them to pull up a chair at the table. This benefits companies in two ways: first, it allows decision making to be enriched with a different, critical perspective. As we’ve seen, this is not only good from an equity standpoint, but great for business. Second, it’s an easy way for organizations to accelerate the development of diverse talent. In the age of The Great Resignation, this is a game changer when it comes to employee development and loyalty.

Are there Black voices or thought leaders whose work still resonates for you today in shaping the future of Black folks? 

Nelson Mandela once said, “After climbing a great hill, one finds that there are many more hills to climb.” This quote beautifully highlights the need for endurance in the fight for social justice. It is important to engage our intentions as we set objectives and goals. This fuels our ability to purposefully achieve our goals and sustain our ascension across many more hills to come.

What one word would you use to describe how you feel about the future of Black people?

Hopeful! Technological advancements and recent world events have democratized feedback. Megaphones that were once reserved for the few have now been afforded to the many. This makes it nearly impossible for folks to ignore or plead ignorance to calls for human rights. Add to that a global environment with enhanced visibility and transparency, you then ultimately have a recipe for radical accountability.