01:07
Barbara Furlow-Smiles Highlight
Barbara Furlow-Smiles
Global Diversity Program Manager, Engagement/Employment Resource Groups,
Be open to opportunities and know that your mind may change. What won’t change is inherently what is inside of you...Do your work and pay it forward.
About Barbara
- I was born in California, but raised in Texas—my experiences with racism as a teenager inspired me to help other people feel included.
- Attended Spelman College where I received my degree in political science and international relations with the goal of one day working in government in Washington, D.C.
- During my junior year, I studied abroad in South Africa and volunteered abroad in Costa Rica.
- After returning to the U.S., I decided to switch my focus from political science to communications and media.
- My first internship out of college was working for MTV where I was able to work on projects with VH1 and BET—this is what first sparked my interest in a career in diversity.
- Got a job working for Viacom in New York City as the Diversity & Employee Resource Group Project Manager.
- Moved to Atlanta, GA to start my family and worked for Cox Communications for a few years.
- After being an active user on LinkedIn promoting my work in diversity, Facebook reached out to me and offered me a job—I'm now their Global Diversity & Inclusion Engagement Leader.
