Amplifying Black voices with intention

For Denetra, Black History Month shines a light on the professional and personal growth that has shaped her journey. She joined the firm in 1999, advancing her career through various roles in Global Delivery before transitioning into Global Human Resources and eventually Global Inclusion and Diversity. With each transition, she expanded her skill set, stepped into unfamiliar spaces and trusted her instincts.

“I’ve been fortunate to build a multifaceted career here,” Denetra says. “Each transition reflected intention, support from leaders who saw potential in me, and a willingness to take risks, even when the path wasn’t clear.”

A constant throughout her journey has been her involvement with the Black Professionals Network (BPN), one of State Street’s longstanding employee networks, which are now marking over 25 years of impact. Throughout her tenure, Denetra’s work leading various committees, and co-chairing the network, helped turn BPN into a space for connection, advocacy, leadership development and belonging.

“What we’ve built is more than a network; it’s a community,” Denetra said. “It’s about visibility, empowerment and knowing you’re not navigating your career alone.”

In Denetra’s view, BPN’s mission mirrors the original purpose of Black History Month: making room for Black voices and experiences to be recognized and celebrated — not only in February, but year-round.

Thinking about the centennial, Denetra sees responsibility as much as reflection.

“Being able to help create spaces where Black colleagues can show up fully, where they feel valued and supported, is something our ancestors could only imagine. Carrying that legacy forward is incredibly meaningful to me.”
 

Partnerships for posterity

That same commitment to empowerment and progress also shapes State Street’s partnership with Orange Lab Media, a global merchandise fulfillment and branding company, and its leadership team, Keel Russell, co-founder and chief executive officer, and Patrick Anthony Senior, co‑founder and chief revenue officer.

“Economic empowerment goes beyond revenue growth,” they said. “It’s about stability, ownership and the ability to reinvest in the communities that shaped us.”

They credit partnerships with organizations like State Street in providing their business visibility, credibility and opportunities to scale. To Keel and Patrick, that growth extends beyond business success. They believe business growth carries a responsibility to reinvest and build something lasting, particularly in corporate environments where access and opportunity have not always been evenly distributed.

That’s why Orange Lab Media reinvests time and talent in community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, supporting youth development programs that emphasize workforce readiness and early exposure to entrepreneurship.

Keel and Patrick’s shared vision is simple: Use the same operational expertise applied to Fortune 500 clients to support community organizations that are doing critical work on the ground.

“As we grow, we’re able to create more jobs and give back more,” they explain. “Empowerment is circular — our success helps strengthen the ecosystem future entrepreneurs will rise from.”
 

Building what comes next, together

The centennial of Black History Month serves as a reminder of how history shows up in everyday tangible ways. This is evident in careers like Denetra’s, shaped by advocacy, connection and community, and palpable in partnerships like those with Orange Lab Media, where economic empowerment translates into meaningful, lasting impact. This milestone underscores a simple truth that history is shaped by the opportunities we build together and the voices we elevate.