Blacks at Microsoft

Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) is the African-American employee resource group at Microsoft.

Facts About BAM

•	BAM was founded in 1989 as the first Microsoft-sponsored diversity organization.
•	More than 500 employees are members of BAM.
•	BAM maintains chapters at corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington, as well as in Las Colinas, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; New York, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; Silicon Valley, California; South Africa; Kenya; and Italy.
•	Jeff Raikes, president of the Microsoft Business Division, serves as the group's executive sponsor and liaison to senior management.

BAM and the Community

BAM is committed to actively contributing to the growth and development of local communities, with a particular focus on educating youth and exposing them to emerging technologies and career opportunities in the information technology industry. BAM's activities include:

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BAM Minority Student Day (BMSD). BAM hosts an annual student day every February. The goal of the event, which was first held in 1992, is to provide area high school students from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds with information about the exciting tools, resources, and career opportunities available to them in information technology. Throughout the day, Microsoft employees guide students through hands-on technology labs and information sessions. Employees also serve as mentors, talking with students about the wide variety of career opportunities available to them in technology.

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BAM Scholarship Program. This program provides scholarships to high school seniors and connects recipients with BAM members for mentoring throughout their college careers. The program has been successful in bringing graduates to Microsoft as employees.

BAM and Employee Career and Leadership Development at Microsoft

BAM works within the Microsoft corporate environment on a number of initiatives and programs, including:

•	Diversity initiatives. BAM partners with Microsoft executive leadership teams to define and implement corporate diversity initiatives companywide, such as the company's Black History Month celebration and Corporate Diversity Strategy. BAM also provides consulting for the product development groups.
•	Employee mentoring program. BAM coordinates a formal mentoring program that matches newer employees with more senior BAM members in similar jobs and business functions. The goal of the program is to provide support and advice to new employees.
•	African–American leadership and development conference. In 2006, Microsoft hosted its second African-American leadership and development conference. Designed to provide African-American employees with an opportunity to discuss common goals and network with one another, the two-day conference featured speeches and breakout sessions focused on recruitment, development, and retention of African-Americans at Microsoft.
•	College intern mentoring program. The goal of this program is to provide professional mentoring and social activities for African-American students who are participating in the Microsoft college internship program. Many of these students travel thousands of miles to work at Microsoft during the summer, and they value the support systems and relationships they establish with BAM members.