JUMP TO CONTENT

Black and Wise

Posting date: 13/10/21

Written by Perpetua Gitungo, Compliance Lead at Wise

When people ask you to write about anything to do with your race, you always wonder what they want to hear. I mean, it has all been said before and to be honest after 2020, it seems to be all we talk about. Yet here we are again. Black History Month is upon us and before all companies get to do their obligatory statements and show solidarity with the Black community (mostly forgotten throughout the rest of the year). I thought it might be worthwhile to talk about what it is like to be Black at Wise. 

Let’s go back in time to the beginning of Wise’s journey in this space. It started with the the murder of George Floyd — this was when the majority of people came out of their shells, like nosy neighbours who had heard an argument next door and want to know what’s going on. That’s how I describe it — because before then, to most non-Black people, race was not an issue. Black people internalised some of our experiences as part of our being. Suffering was inherent to us. It was part and parcel of who we were and how others identified us. 

The Monday following the George’s murder, we went into our home offices, shocked and scared that yet another Black life had had been taken away — only this time, we had front row seats. My first thought was: I hope our colleagues in America are ok, and my second was: surely Wise will offer support. None came, not on that Monday anyway. The following Tuesday there was a brief mention of it during a company wide team meeting.

It wasn’t enough.

At the time, fuelled by frustration, we questioned the support that was being given to Black Wisers, who was driving it and what it meant in practical terms. After speaking to Wisers, it was clear that the lack of action wasn’t from indifference, it came from people not knowing what to do. We had a huge opportunity to change this, and make things better.

I’ll tell you what progress we made as a result of the events of summer 2020. These initiatives were driven by Black Wisers and our allies and have set Wise up to be not just one of the companies that mark Black History Month, but one that empowers Black Wisers to speak up.

Listening forums

The first thing that Wise did was have two sessions where Black Wisers could speak about  the murder of George Floyd, and the impact ongoing police brutality had on them and their families. This was the first time we felt like someone was listening. It was raw, emotional, and allowed non-Black Wisers to better understand what their colleagues and friends were going through while allowing Black Wisers to share their experiences.  

Black Steering Committee

Nothing grinds any minority group like the fact that their cause is being spoken about or driven by people who are not directly impacted or affected by it. So we created the Black Lives Matter steering committee. It had three main pillars: 

  1. Supporting Wisers of colour in whatever shape or form that meant to them. This included a more comprehensive Employee Assistance Programs among other useful resources for coping with the impact of the issue at hand. That included; legal resources, and guidance for action, including protesting guidelines. 
  2. Educational sessions, for all Wisers who needed awareness on the issue of race and particularly to sensitise a global team on why this was such an important topic. This also included resources for leads to support Black Wisers.
  3. Customer and product. While we’ve seen the least progress here,, we are working on making our products inclusive for customers from diverse backgrounds. 


We now also have the recently launched #black-wisers-network; a Community and safe space within the business for Black Wisers.

It wasn’t an easy journey, but we have made significant progress. Not just one time progress. 

So is the job done at Wise? Absolutely not. We still have a long way to go, but for the moment, I can say my Black and Wise experience has shown me that companies do not need to pay lip service; there are tangible, measurable, impactful things that they can do to make their Black employees and people of colour proud to work for them. And that includes celebrating Black History Month. 

Wise has empowered and facilitated me to champion diversity, equity and inclusion in the FinCrime industry, even though that’s not part of my job description. These efforts have led to podcasts highlighting the need for inclusive FinTech products and scholarships for minorities in FinTech from industry bodies. I couldn’t be more proud.

But there’s more to be done, and not just during Black History Month.  Onwards!

List #1

Articles you might like

Our commitment to improving diversity, equity and inclusion

Teaser

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/20/2023

Summary

At Wise, our vision is money without borders. In order to build the future of global money, we need a team that’s as diverse as the customers we serve.In September 2020 we signed the HM Treasu

Teaser

At Wise, our vision is money without borders. In order to build the future of global money, we need a team that’s as diverse as the customers we serve.

Read more
Wisers giving back: Budapest

Teaser

Environment Social Governance

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/19/2023

Summary

Following the successful launch of our Global Wisers Giving Back program in Singapore, we’re now extending its reach to Budapest in collaboration with the Artemisszió Foundation and th

Teaser

We've launched our Global Wisers Giving Back program in Budapest in collaboration with the Artemisszió Foundation and their intercultural MIRA community.

Read more
You are not alone: from one disabled lead to another

Teaser

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/01/2023

Summary

A bit about me Hey, I’m Sally! I am disabled. It took me a long time to come to terms with this label, because I used to think that to have the ability to work, drive, party, so

Teaser

Hey, I’m Sally! I am disabled. It took me a long time to come to terms with this label, because I used to think that to have the ability to work, drive, party, socialise, be independent, love, travel (and many more activities) meant that I was “just fine.”

Read more
Sponsors of Black Tech Fest 2023

Teaser

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/19/2023

Summary

In October, Wise was honoured to sponsor and be a part of Black Tech Fest 2023 🚀. Black Tech Fest (BTF) is one of the largest not-for-profit gatherings of it

Teaser

In October, Wise was honoured to sponsor and be a part of Black Tech Fest 2023.

Read more
Celebrating QueerWisers

Teaser

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/11/2023

Summary

In celebration of Global Pride Months at Wise, we are proud to introduce “Celebrating Queerwisers”, a series that highlights the incredible stories from our LGBTQ+ community across our

Teaser

“Celebrating Queerwisers” is a series that highlights the incredible stories from our LGBTQ+ community. Join us in embracing diversity and inclusion as we share their experiences, both professionally and personally.

Read more
Going back to work as a mother

Teaser

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/31/2023

Summary

A bit about me Hi! I am Sabina from Colombia. I have a background in social-sciences (journalism and film), but have worked for financial institutions for over 3 years. I have a

Teaser

I am Sabina from Colombia. I have an 18 month old toddler girl and the experience of motherhood has given me more perspectives on how feminism is a key element for driving change in our society.

Read more
From then to now

Teaser

People profile

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/31/2023

Summary

A bit about me I’m Candace Smith, our People Operations Lead for the Americas and have been at Wise for three and a half years. I support our US and Latin American offices. I’m

Teaser

I’m Candace Smith, our People Operations Lead for the Americas and have been at Wise for three and a half years. I support our US and Latin American offices.

Read more
Supporting employees who need abortion care

Teaser

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/20/2022

Summary

We pride ourselves at Wise on building a workplace that is supportive, flexible and safe for everyone. As we continue our expansion in the United States, it remains important to us that we creat

Teaser

We pride ourselves at Wise on building a workplace that is supportive, flexible and safe for everyone. It's important to us that we create an environment inclusive to the changing needs of all our Wisers.

Read more
Love without borders: a conversation with Silas

Teaser

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/01/2021

Summary

This year we created internal guidelines and materials to support, recognise and respect our transgender colleagues at Wise. Because whilst everyone’s transitioning journey will be dif

Teaser

How Silas helped create internal guidelines and materials to support, recognise and respect our transgender colleagues at Wise.

Read more
Love without borders: a conversation with Romario

Teaser

Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/01/2021

Summary

This year, Romario and a project squad created guidelines and a training for everyone who works at Wise to improve the customer support experience for our transgender and non-binary

Teaser

Romario and a project squad created guidelines and a training for everyone who works at Wise to improve the customer support experience for our transgender and non-binary customers.

Read more
View all
Search

Browse Jobs