Title

AWS re:Invent 2022 - Customer collaboration for the greater good: Partnering for impact (DEI202)

Summary

• Tolu, a global inclusion, diversity, and equity (ID&E) customer engagement leader at AWS, introduced the session alongside Shaila Martinez, head of global community activations, and Pat, director of Basics International.
• The session focused on AWS's leadership principle "Success and Scale Brings Broad Responsibility," emphasizing the importance of giving back as the organization grows.
• AWS's ID&E customer engagement team has partnered with various customers to amplify positive impacts on the world, including initiatives for underrepresented groups in tech, executive-level conversations on ID&E, and strategic sponsorships.
• AWS's approach to collaboration is categorized into three buckets: thought leadership, tech (inclusion in the cloud and partner solutions), and community (working with nonprofits and customer sponsorships).
• A spotlight was given to Adobe's partnership with AWS, which involved the DeepRacer program to teach AI and ML to young people through gamification.
• Shaila Martinez discussed the AWS ID&E Innovation Fund, which supports AWS employees' passion projects with social impact organizations.
• Pat Wilkins shared the story of Basics International, which has been providing education and social intervention programs in Ghana for 22 years.
• The future plans for Basics International include Camp Akloa, a sleepaway camp for children to engage in technology and other activities.
• The session concluded with a call to action for AWS customers and employees to get involved in community partnerships and support initiatives like Camp Akloa.

Insights

• AWS's ID&E initiatives are not limited to internal diversity and inclusion efforts but extend to customer and community partnerships that drive social impact.
• The company's strategy involves leveraging technology and thought leadership to address social inequities and create STEM pathways for underrepresented communities.
• AWS's approach to community engagement is holistic, considering not just educational opportunities but also the basic needs and social barriers that might prevent children from attending school.
• The partnership with Basics International is a prime example of AWS's commitment to global community impact, demonstrating how technology companies can contribute to educational and social advancements in developing regions.
• AWS encourages its customers and employees to participate in social impact initiatives, highlighting the potential for collaborative efforts to amplify the positive change in communities around the world.