ADAN e.V. and Zalando enter into partnership
Diversität · Partnerschaft
The Afro German Academic Network (ADAN e.V.) and Zalando enter into a long-term partnership for the professional advancement of Black and People of Color (BPoC) in Germany
With a new virtual format and the first ADAN Zalando scholarship for BPoC, Zalando aims to further increase its commitment to inclusivity and diversity and recruit more BPoC talent
Digital kick-off event on March 24, 2021
Frankfurt/Berlin, March 5, 2021 // Promoting more young BPoC talents in Germany and offering them the opportunity to start their careers at Europe’s leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle – that is the goal of the long-term partnership of the Afro-German academic Network eV (ADAN) and Zalando. A digital kick-off event will take place on March 24, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The webinar, organized by ADAN and Zalando, deals, among other things, with the corporate culture and goals in the area of diversity at Zalando. In a subsequent webinar, participants have the opportunity to get to know Zalando in detail and learn more about the aspects of the first ADAN Zalando scholarship developed specifically for BPoC.
Over a period of three months, the selected participants first get to know the work on the online platform. Every intern goes through a mentorship program during this time. Experienced Zalando employees support the young talents during their internship.
In addition, Zalando will also be part of this year’s ADAN Career Day. With the career fair, the non-profit association offers companies interested in diversity or the African continent as a market the opportunity to present themselves to potential BPoC applicants as employers. For students, professionals and job seekers, the fair is a platform for making valuable contacts and finding out about vacancies at the participating companies.
Allie Bangura, founder and board member of the Afro-German Academics Network: "In order to get promoted, you have to get in. Our strategic partnership with Zalando is a unique opportunity to concretely implement the goals of the association together with the leading European online platform in the fashion sector. This opens up great opportunities for Black and People of Color and we are making an important contribution to promoting diversity in one of the most successful German companies. There is no shortage of talented and well-trained BPoC, as a look at the members of ADAN shows us again and again. At the beginning of their careers, we want to make it easier for up-and-coming talents to start their careers with practical support. However, many BPoC graduates often face various hurdles in their first professional steps. In addition to our work in the network, we would like to remove these hurdles in the long term with partnerships such as the one with Zalando."
Vikki Leach, Zalando Director of Diversity and Inclusion, is also looking forward to the future cooperation: "Diverse and inclusive teams are a decisive success factor for Zalando in order to become the starting point for fashion for our diverse customers and partners. That’s why we build strong partnerships with underrepresented communities. We are excited to partner with ADAN and gain access to a great and diverse talent pool of students and young academics. Together with ADAN we want to promote young BPoC talents and give them the opportunity to start their career at Zalando."
Zalando already actively supports an inclusive corporate culture with employees from 130 countries and pursues a gender balance in the top management levels, the active promotion of women in management positions, and the promotion of numerous diversity, equality and inclusion projects. With the publication of the do.BETTER diversity and inclusion report last year, Zalando creates transparency and commitment to vigorously implement the desired changes. For more variety in the range, Zalando has set itself the goal of connecting 70 additional black-owned fashion brands to the platform by 2022.
With the cooperation, ADAN creates an important milestone in its association work, which focuses on the professional and personal development of the predominantly Black and People of Color members. The focal points are, among other things, the career prospects of BPoC in Germany as well as mentoring before graduation or during your studies.
Registration for the ADAN and Zalando webinar is possible here.
About ADAN e.V.
The Afro German Academics Network (ADAN e.V.) is a non-profit association that offers a platform for exchange for Afro-Germans, Africans and students interested in Africa, as well as professionals. The association with headquarters in Frankfurt am Main was founded in 2014. Across Germany, over 300 members in seven cities are part of ADAN. With its work, the network makes diversity and Black and People of Color role models (BPoC) visible for young generations in German society, makes an important contribution to the development of Africa and conveys a differentiated picture of the continent. With various events and formats, ADAN strengthens its members in their personal and professional development and makes a lasting contribution to reducing the structural disadvantages of BPoC in Germany and Europe.
About Zalando
Zalando is Europe’s leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle. Founded in Berlin in 2008, Zalando now offers clothing, shoes, accessories and cosmetics products to more than 35 million active customers in 17 countries. The range includes world-famous, international brands as well as local labels. The Zalando platform offers our customers a destination for inspiration, innovation and interaction. As Europe’s most fashionable tech company, we are constantly looking for new digital solutions for every part of the shopping experience – for our customers, partners and everyone else who wants to shape Zalando with us. Our goal is to become the go-to fashion destination and a sustainable platform with a net-positive impact on people and planet.
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