February serves as a reflective period during Black History Month, where MongoDB's Black Employees At MongoDB (BEAM) initiative allows staff like Rita Henderson and Daniel Hawthorne to share personal narratives about their careers in tech. Rita Henderson, an Administrative Assistant with Afro-Latinx roots, discusses overcoming societal challenges as a teen mom, her journey through education, and her efforts in founding a technology program for social justice inspired by the Black Panther Party's emphasis on community control of technology. Daniel Hawthorne, a Regional Director, recounts his path from South Central Los Angeles to tech sales at Dell, navigating racial challenges, and eventually finding empowerment in his role at MongoDB, where a culture of embracing diversity allowed him to thrive without diluting his identity. Both stories highlight the importance of representation, empowerment, and the transformative role of technology in striving for social justice and equality within the tech industry.