2022 Black History Month

We love pets, not just because they’re super cute, fuzzy, and loving. We love ‘em because they help us become the best we can be, give us joy, and lift our spirits. We’re all living in complicated, challenging, and let’s just say it… stressful times. So it’s great to find ways to be genuinely uplifted. 

No surprise, then, that during Black History Month this year, Banfield and our Mars Petcare family are celebrating with an upbeat, all-in theme: Uplifting the Community. To shine the light on Black History Month and help spread the word to pet-loving peeps everywhere, we asked community leaders at Banfield, VCA, BluePearl, and Antech Diagnostics to talk about why uplifting the community is important – this month, and every month.  

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Didi Umoh, Sourcing Specialist, Banfield Pet Hospital

The last few years have been incredibly challenging for everyone I know. Seeing how we were all struggling sparked my passion for uplifting my community. Being an advocate for mental health and well-being is the area I try to uplift those around me. It has been exciting to help organize events for Banfield Associates that focus on stress resilience and minority mental health awareness. My hope is through these conversations people feel less alone in the challenges they’re facing. We are stronger together.

Terri Henderson, Practice Manager, BluePearl

Uplifting the community enriches my life, the life of my family, and the lives of my fellow associates. Uplifting the community gives positivity and hope to a community who has somewhat lost it. I am proud to represent ultimately a worldwide company who is sharing the ideas of diversity. Who teaches and listens, not just tolerance, but to truly know about those that look and live differently than us. Simply stated we are "Better Together" and the more positivity and hope we can share the more we can uplift the entire world.

 Lesline Julien, Regional Manager of Operations Carolinas & Georgia, Antech Diagnostics

My focus is to uplift women in general, but especially women of color. I strive to be the mentor I wished for earlier in my career. One that values inclusivity and persistence in seeking those that need encouragement and guidance to help them reach their full potential. As a lab manager, Antech provides the platform for me to play a role in training and mentoring our associates to exceed our clients' expectations.

Timbrala Marshall, DVM, Director of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, VCA Animal Hospitals

I’m from a small town in Alabama called Selma. A town best known for its role in the civil rights movement of the 1960’s and best recognized for the infamous event that occurred there—“Bloody Sunday.” My father is a pastor in my hometown and a community leader. I grew up surrounded by reminders of how inequities and social injustice could affect entire groups of citizens and spent my days in the community working alongside other leaders to be a positive proponent for change. Community is important to me because it represents our families, our friends, our clients, and our future. As a veterinarian and a DEIB leader, I am working to create initiatives that will link our profession with the communities that we love and serve. I’m working to launch a national student shadowing program within VCA hospitals to give young people the opportunity to learn more about our profession. I hope that in some small way this can be a stepping stone for more diverse individuals to enter and influence our ever-evolving world of veterinary medicine.