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Driving change together: The impact of the Black Wisers Community

Posting date: 24/1/25

Ashley Gilfillian-Olagundoye, a member of the Black Wisers Community at Wise, highlights the significance of Black History Month and the role of allyship in creating a more inclusive workplace.

“Being part of this community has truly helped me feel more seen, more supported, and more inspired to contribute to the growth of Wise.”

Ashley Gilfillian-Olagundoye (She/Her)

Customer Support Senior Team Lead

a woman staring at a computer screen

Tell us more about the Black Wisers Community at Wise?

The Black Wisers Community is a powerful and empowering space where Black Wisers from around the world come together to connect, uplift one another, and share their unique experiences. It's more than just a community; it's a home within Wise where I can freely express my thoughts, my challenges, and my triumphs as a Black woman in tech. Being part of this community has truly helped me feel more seen, more supported, and more inspired to contribute to the growth of Wise. 

Last year we also launched our Black Wiser Working Group, a project team within the community, which was set up with local representatives from our global offices to accelerate Black Inclusion at Wise. This group has set clear business goals across various workstreams, all of which are designed to make a tangible difference to our DEI efforts at Wise. This includes increasing black heritage representation, building a diverse leadership pipeline, offering anti-racism training, and developing both internal and external community initiatives. We’re also continuing to forge partnerships with organisations that champion underrepresented communities in tech. One of the proudest moments for our Black Wisers working group was seeing Wise’s presence at AfroTech in Houston, Texas last November, for the very first time and hearing positive experiences from our US customers!

Beyond that, Wise has recently relaunched our services in Nigeria and are actively working to expand our presence in other key African markets. In November, our Black Wiser community in London partnered with Coco Financial to host a financial wellbeing workshop, which was well-received by all attendees. 

As we continue to grow, the Black Wisers Community remains a testament to Wise’s commitment to inclusivity and black empowerment—both within the company and in the tech industry at large. We are more than just a community; we are a force driving change.


What does Black History Month mean to you personally?

Black History Month is a powerful reminder of the resilience, brilliance, and beauty of Black culture. It's a time for reflection and celebration of the incredible contributions our community has made to the world. For me, it’s a moment to honor the legacy of those who’ve paved the way for us and to remind myself and my family that we come from a rich history of excellence. It’s a time to not only acknowledge our past but to ignite our future, empowering us to continue creating, innovating, and thriving in all spaces. 

In celebration of Black History Month, we’re offering special lunch menus in our US offices, showcasing delicious African heritage cuisine. Throughout the month, we’ll be running a campaign for employees honouring the achievements of various famous Black icons. We’ll also be hosting fun trivia on our local communications channels with Wise branded prizes for the winners. Moreover, we’ll be offering DEI training sessions for all Wisers on ‘Becoming an Anti-racist Workplace’ this month, curated and co-facilitated with our Black Wisers 


What has been your proudest moment at Wise?

One of my proudest moments at Wise was attending AfroTech and hearing firsthand from our customers about how Wise has positively impacted them. Working in Customer Support, you often hear about the challenges our customers face, but at AfroTech, I was overwhelmed with stories of how we’re not just solving problems, but truly transforming lives. It was a powerful reminder that the work we do here at Wise has real, tangible effects on people, and that we’re making a difference on a global scale. That moment reaffirmed my pride in being part of a company that’s committed to changing the world for the better.


How can Allies within the workplace best support our Black community?

Allies within the workplace can support our community by actively listening to the stories, experiences, and concerns of Black Wisers and by helping amplify our voices. Too often, the experiences of people of color go unnoticed or unheard—but with the support of Allies, we can create an environment where all voices are truly valued and heard. 

Allies can also play a key role in advocating for greater diversity and inclusion across all teams, ensuring that different perspectives are not just included but celebrated. By working together, we can drive real, lasting change that fosters equality and empowerment, and opportunity for all.


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