Beni Olaleye, transaction services manager, immigrated from Nigeria for college. The low representation of Black professionals inspires him to try to pave the way for other Black accountants find their place in the industry. Now the leader of the Central chapter of the Black business resource group (BRG), Beni is passionate about the retention and advancement of Black professionals at Moss Adams. He talks about this year’s Black History Month theme by connecting the celebration to his own resilience.
This year’s theme for Black History Month is Black Resistance. Can you speak to how this theme resonates with you?
Black History Month gives us the chance to celebrate, recognize, and commemorate individuals, groups, and institutions that have fought and sacrificed for our journey towards equality.
There’s a Yoruba saying where I’m from—Ẹni máa jẹ oyin inú àpáta, kìí wo ẹnu àáke. It translates to “Whoever wants to extract and eat the honey embedded in a rock’s cavity won't fret about the axe.” For me, Black Resistance means chipping away at the rock because the goal is more important than the condition of the axe we’re using. It means resilience through the many challenges facing us, not just as Black accountants but Black Americans. The destination is equality; for me, that goal is more important than the severity of the challenges on the way.
Further, I may be an immigrant but I’m Black before I’m seen as anything else. For instance, a bad cop won’t stop to consider whether I’m American or African, and that’s why I see Black Resistance as something I can contribute to.