Leading the Black Contentful Network: Building a community at work

Here at Contentful, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are critical to our efforts to maintain an inclusive and supportive environment that celebrates diverse perspectives. ERGs like the Black Contentfuler@s* Network (BCN) are how we strive to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.

Tasha Rosemond is a Senior Revenue Accountant and the chairperson of the BCN ERG. As chairperson, Tasha leads initiatives to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for Black employees and their allies at Contentful. Through her leadership, the BCN provides a vital platform for connection, mentorship, and professional development, contributing to a more cohesive and empathetic workplace.

Tasha’s commitment to creating positive change and championing diversity underscores her pivotal role in enhancing the company culture at Conentful. In this interview, she speaks with Lisa White, a Software Engineer and co-chair of the Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging ERG, about why she chose a career in tech and the source of her passion as an ERG leader. 

An exciting area in accountancy

Lisa White: Could you share a bit about your role and what you enjoy doing at Contentful?

Tasha Rosemond: As a Senior Revenue Accountant, I’m based in the U.S. and part of the team that ensures the company’s financial health with regard to compliance with accounting standards and regulations for revenue recognition in a SAAS company. Even though these guidelines have been around for years, the subscription world truly embedded the concept only in the last five or six years. So, it’s an exciting area in accountancy. We align our revenue recognition with current standards, maintaining transparency and compliance, and ensuring our methods are transparent for auditors and investors. I also handle the temporary sales tax duties, which can be challenging at times, but quite enjoyable. My background is in public accounting, which often involves a lot of tax work. 

Lisa: Could you walk me through how you ended up at Contentful?

Tasha: I didn't grow up in the U.S. I came here as a young adult, around the age of 20. Although more than half my life has been spent in the U.S., I grew up in Guyana, the only English-speaking country in South America. We’re between Venezuela, Suriname, Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean, which is technically tropical; however, it's no match for the U.S. heat and humidity in the summer months. We're so close to the Atlantic that some people can see it from their windows or walk to the beach from their backyard. 

Moving to the U.S. was a step towards a brighter future. Guyana is a small country with less than a million people, and opportunities can be limited, especially for university graduates. After studying accounting in Guyana, I made the move to the U.S. As a full-time student pursuing my second accounting degree, I also had a retail job in the McGraw-Hill Building in the Rockefeller Center neighborhood in New York City  on weekends, which happened to be the same building where they filmed "The Devil Wears Prada." I landed an internship at a public accounting firm, where I later transitioned to a full-time position, dedicating five years to the firm.

When I got married and moved to Connecticut, I switched from public accounting to corporate accounting. I then transitioned from working at larger Fortune 500 companies to startups, discovering my love for the vibrant tech environment. I thrive in collaborative and supportive workspaces, where the energy of smaller companies fuels me. Even though it can mean more work, I find joy in the lively atmosphere of startups. 

Where creativity is valued more than appearance

Lisa: From your experience, how does the environment in a tech company compare to that of a conventional corporate setting?

Tasha: I chose a career in tech because it felt more relaxed and creative compared to corporate settings. Tech offers a refreshing cultural change compared to the traditional corporate setting. At startups I’ve worked at, like Contentful, the vibe was laid back, unlike the stifling corporate environment. Creativity is valued more than appearance. Unlike in other industries where your looks matter, in tech, it's about what's in your head. For instance, when I joined my first tech company, I dyed my hair fire-engine red, something I had always wanted to do but hesitated due to my career in the corporate world. Working in the tech industry allows me to be myself while excelling at work. This freedom to express myself without judgment is liberating compared to other industries.

Lisa: What inspired you to become the Black Contentfuler@s Network Chairperson?

Tasha: Having Employee Resource Groups, especially the BCN at Contentful, is about giving others what I never had in my work life. One of the main reasons I accepted this responsibility is the inspiration I got from former colleague Stacy Coghlan. She was really motivated about us getting started, and I believe in what we started and want to see it grow. I felt if I didn't step up as the chairperson of BCN, all the initial work we put in would vanish. The group has been an opportunity to create a sense of belonging and connection for people like me. It's about developing our community within Contentful. I want us to grow, diversify, and keep attracting people from different backgrounds to join us on this journey at Contentful.

Lisa: In your view, what does it take to build a strong community?

Tasha: I’m more of an introvert and usually prefer to hang back at parties, ensuring everyone's happy while enjoying the scene. I found breaking out of my shell difficult, but I've made progress. I used to decline invites to smaller gatherings, as they made me uncomfortable. Thanks to great female mentors, I've learned to speak up for what I want. They taught me to offer solutions, voice my opinion, and not just come up with a problem. Questioning authorities isn't common in my culture, but I've moved past that mindset. Building a community for me in Connecticut doesn't usually involve people who look like me, especially in tech, where representation could be better. I've immersed myself in the tech community, surrounded by like-minded folks, and I enjoy the diversity. While I haven't exactly built a community, I've become part of one where faces are different from mine.

Staying motivated and making an impact

Lisa: What keeps you motivated in your ERG work?

Tasha: It's some of the small things, such as when I go to our monthly BCN meeting and see other members there, ready to share, it's like, "Hey, we've got a shot." Also, seeing the impact the speakers we've booked have made on some of our colleagues — getting feedback like "I didn't know that," or "That was eye-opening," drives me; educating others and showing our community is more than TV stereotypes is rewarding.

Lisa: What advice would you give someone considering starting an ERG within their company?

Tasha: Go for it! Starting may be challenging at first, depending on your situation, but don't let that hold you back. If it's something you're passionate about, definitely give it a shot. Leadership involvement is beneficial, so you encourage that. Having leadership engagement has been really helpful for us. It's been great to have someone from the senior leadership team sponsoring our group.

* “Contentfuler@s” is a term used internally at Contentful as a fun way to refer to our fellow employees.  

Subscribe for updates

Build better digital experiences with Contentful updates direct to your inbox.