Nicole sitting atop Table Mountain in Capetown, South Africa, 2019.
In the heart of Black History Month, we are sharing ways our employees educate, engage, and elevate the community through Black heritage.
In this spirit, we sat down with Nicole Hawkins Martin, Director of Indirect Procurement at HelloFresh, to discuss her career learnings, her thoughts on Black History Month, her Black heritage, and how HelloFresh is honoring this important time.
Finding Connection and Community:
Nicole serves as the Director of HelloFresh’s Indirect Procurement team, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting the company’s business operations. With her extensive expertise in business strategy, Nicole leads her team in acquiring essential goods and services necessary for HelloFresh’s day-to-day operations. Think of everything needed for a company to operate, like computers, software and more – that’s what Nicole’s team procures.
Nicole emphasizes the importance of connecting with colleagues across the company: “In a world where we often find ourselves moving through spaces physically distant but digitally connected, community and connection are essential.” Within her role, Nicole is often engaging with teams across the business including fulfillment, customer care, automation and many more. Finding ways to better communicate and connect are critical to her success.
She finds these connection points often within HelloFresh’s Employee Resource Group (ERG), LIMES, which provides a broader space for sharing perspectives and learning from others. LIMES helps employees interact by hosting various panels, conducting networking events, and providing communication forums.
Communicating Black History:
Nicole passionately believes that Black history is inherently American history: “Black History Month is more than a designated timeframe; it’s a call to celebrate, educate, and gather,” she says. Knowing how important connection and community are, Stephanie seeks out information and actively learns about Black history throughout the year to help share with her colleagues at HelloFresh.
As an active member of LIMES, Nicole appreciates that the ERG is providing opportunities for colleagues to engage during Black History Month as well. This month, Nicole will be attending a viewing party for the Netflix documentary “High on the Hog,” hosted by the LIMES ERG, which showcases the impact of Black people on American cuisine. The ERG will also be coordinating cooking classes and events aimed at educating and celebrating Black culture.
Food as a Unifying Force:
“I realize the profound impact Black people have on American cuisine.” Nicole recognizes the power of food to transcend cultures and bring people together. Black contributions to American cuisine are undeniable, and recognizing and celebrating this heritage is crucial. She encourages everyone to reflect on what they can do to learn, celebrate, and share about Black history. Whether it’s attending events, reading books, or simply opening your mind and heart, Nicole believes that every action contributes to a more inclusive and understanding society.
For more information on our Diversity & Inclusion initiatives and our ERGs, head here.
