Yext Celebrates Diversity with Summer Block Party & Yext Talks with Sony Executive Jeffrey James

Last week, our employee resource group EMBRACE celebrated the importance of diversity and inclusion with a full day of events, including a YextTalks with Sony Executive, Jeffrey James, an employee panel for students from across New York City, and a Summer Block Party, featuring food, games, and more.

EMBRACE — whose mission is to build Yext as a lighthouse company for racial diversity — kicked off the day with a YextTalks featuring Sony Music Executive, Jeffrey James. As the Director of Artists & Repertoire at Sony, James has over 20 years of experience in the music industry. EMBRACE's Vern Tremble led a fireside chat with James in which he walked the crowd through his career path and the lessons he learned throughout his journey. James described what it's like to be a person of color in the music industry, as well as how the industry is becoming more inclusive of people from all backgrounds. James also discussed in great detail about how technology disrupted the traditional music business model and how it is continuously evolving.

EMBRACE's Vern Tremble interviews Sony Music Executive, Jeffrey James.

Members of the EMBRACE leadership team pose with Jeffrey.

Additionally, EMBRACE partnered with Cypress Hills, New York On Tech, and Year Up, local organizations that promote the education and professional advancement of students of color in the tech space. 12 local high school and college students spent the day at our New York headquarters and engaged in an employee panel where they gained insight from Yexters about what it is like to work at Yext, as well as what makes Yext unique. Students also had the opportunity to sit down with Yext co-founder and CEO Howard Lerman to learn more about his vision for the organization. The students from Cypress Hills had such a great time spending the day at Yext, they produced a recap video of the day's events. Check out their video on Facebook!

The day concluded with EMBRACE's inaugural Summer Block Party, featuring cotton candy, games like giant Jenga and Connect Four, a balloon artist, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, giveaways, and a custom playlist made especially for Yext by Jeffrey James himself. Yext employees also had the opportunity to sign up to be bone marrow donors through Be the Match, the largest and most diverse marrow registry in the world.

The henna artist was a big hit. Yexters lined up to get intricate designs.

Yexters compete in a life-sized version of Connect Four.

Yexters play a giant game of Jenga.

The day was a huge success for EMBRACE as it allowed employees to interact with local organizations and embrace togetherness through education and fun!

Interested in learning more about our Employee Resource Groups? Check out our Careers Page and look at open job opportunities.