Employee Spotlight: Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, we're doing a series highlighting our employees' experiences and sharing what Black History Month means to them. Check out our previous Employee Spotlights of Katrice Gerald, Kevin Foster, and Nina Owens.

Zonnetta Thomas, Escalation and Complaints Analyst

Zonnetta comes to Notarize from the financial services industry. She enjoys every aspect of her role as an Escalation and Complaints Analyst in the Legal Compliance Division at Notarize. In her personal life, she is a performer always looking for the next audition. She has been cast as Lexie Richards in the upcoming play, “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club,” in April at Theatre Jacksonville.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

BHM to some, may be a badge of honor to celebrate an entire month of heritage and accomplishments. To some, it is a time to pause in deep seated pride, in which we recognize the blood, sweat and tears of the undaunted that came before us: and those still among us. To some it may be "why" and to others it may just leave more questions. I personally appreciate any view that brings about honest dialogue.

Personally, I carry a certain extra spring in my step that a month of honor is on the calendar, as we started with a mere week dedicated to celebrating Black History.

I remember going to a predominantly white high school. As a Freshman, I used my voice to implore  my principal to allow the 1st Black History Month Celebration in the 100 years of the school’s existence. It was indeed a pure celebration! I am grateful to my ancestors who gave me my voice.

Where do you see the biggest opportunity for improvement?

The biggest area we can improve in is creating a dialogue to dispel the stereotypes, misconceptions and just plain lack of understanding.

I invite anyone who has ever been curious about my hair, my biracial grandchildren, my speech, my dialect, or anything else, to talk to me and ask questions. I know it takes a level of courage to approach any topics where we differ as human beings, but I give you the permission to come sit right next to me and ask. I cannot be offended and creating this open dialogue and avenue of communication will help others to actually learn rather than operate on harmful assumptions.

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