Afro-German group and Zalando partner to promote diversity

• Afro German Academic Network (ADAN e.V.) and Zalando enter into long-term partnership to promote careers of Black and People of Color (BPoC) in Germany.
• New virtual format and first ADAN-Zalando scholarship for BPoC to further increase Zalando’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity and recruit more diverse talents
• Digital kick-off event on March 24, 2021

FRANKFURT/BERLIN, MARCH 5, 2021 PRESS STATEMENT – // The Afro German Academic Network (ADAN) and Zalando have recently agreed on a long-term partnership, promoting more young diverse talents in Germany and offering them the opportunity to start their career at Europe’s leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle.

A digital kick-off event will take place on March 24, 2021 from 6 pm to 7 pm. The webinar organized by ADAN and Zalando will focus on Zalando’s corporate culture and diversity goals. In a subsequent webinar, participants will have the opportunity to get to know Zalando in detail and learn more about the aspects of the first ADAN-Zalando scholarship developed specifically for Black and People of Color (BPoC).

Within this three month scholarship, selected candidates will participate in an internship and get to know the work at the online platform. Additionally, each intern undergoes a mentorship program, in which the young talents are accompanied by experienced Zalando employees.

Zalando will also be part of ADAN’s Career Day this year. Companies interested in the topics of diversity or the African continent as a market in general get the opportunity to introduce themselves as employers to potential applicants. While students, professionals and job seekers can establish valuable contacts and find out about vacancies at the participating companies.

Allie Bangura, founder and board member of the Afro German Academic Network: “To move up, you have to get in. Our strategic partnership with Zalando is a unique opportunity to concretely realise the goals of the association together with the leading European online platform in the fashion sector. This opens up great opportunities for Black and People of Color (BPoC) and we make an important contribution to promoting diversity in one of the most successful German companies. A look at the members at ADAN shows us that there are many talented and well-trained BPoC. Thus, we want to help aspiring talents get started with practical assistance at the beginning of their careers. However, many BPoC graduates often face various hurdles in their first professional steps. In addition to our work in the network, we also want to break down these hurdles in the long term with partnerships such as the one with Zalando.”

Vikki Leach, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Zalando, is also excited about the future collaboration: “Diverse and inclusive teams are a crucial success factor for Zalando to become the Starting Point for Fashion for our diverse customers and partners. That is why we are building strong partnerships with underrepresented communities. We are excited to work with ADAN and gain access to a great and diverse talent pool of BPoC students and young graduates. Together with ADAN, we want to support young BPoC talents and give them the opportunity to start their career at Zalando.”

Zalando already actively supports an inclusive corporate culture with employees from 130 countries and pursues gender balance in the top management levels, the active promotion of women in management positions, and the promotion of numerous diversity, equality and inclusion projects.

With the publication of the do.BETTER Diversity and Inclusion Report last year, Zalando creates transparency and commitment to implement targeted changes. For diversifying the assortment further, Zalando has set itself the goal of connecting 70 more black-owned fashion brands to the platform by 2022.

ADAN has reached an important milestone in its association work with this cooperation, which focuses on the professional and personal development of its predominantly Black and People of Color members. Focal points include the topics of career perspectives of BPoC in Germany as well as mentoring before high school graduation or during studies.

The registration for the webinar by ADAN and Zalando is available here.

© 2021 Zalando SE

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About ADAN e.V.

The Afro German Academic Network (ADAN e.V.) is a non-profit association that offers a platform for exchange for Afro-Germans, Africans and students interested in Africa as well as professionals. The association, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, was founded in 2014. Across Germany, more than 300 members in seven cities are part of ADAN. With its work, the network makes diversity and BPoC role models visible for young generations in German society, makes an important contribution to Africa’s development and conveys a differentiated image of the continent. ADAN strengthens its members in their personal and professional development with various events and formats and contributes sustainably to the reduction of structural disadvantages of BPoC in Germany and Europe.

About Zalando

Zalando is Europe’s leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle. Founded in Berlin in 2008, we bring head-to-toe fashion to more than 35 million active customers in 17 markets, offering clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty. The assortment of international brands ranges from world famous names to local labels. Our platform is a one-stop fashion destination for inspiration, innovation, and interaction. As Europe’s most fashionable tech company, we work hard to find digital solutions for every aspect of the fashion journey: for our customers, partners and every valuable player in the Zalando story. Our goal is to become The Starting Point for Fashion and a sustainable platform with a net-positive impact for people and the planet.