Voices in Action: Honoring Black History Month at Rokt

Black History Month at Rokt is a time to reflect, learn, and amplify the voices shaping our community today.

In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week to ensure Black history was formally studied and preserved. One hundred years later, what began as a week of recognition has evolved into Black History Month — a global moment of remembrance, celebration, and continued responsibility.

At Rokt, Black History Month 2026 is led by the Blak’stars, our Black employee resource group (ERG). Throughout February, the Blak’stars are creating space for storytelling, dialogue, celebration, and shared learning across the company.

This year’s programming includes:

• Black-Owned Food and Coffee Activations – Supporting Black-owned businesses through catered food moments and a coffee cart activation.
• Celebrating Black Music – Curated Black music playlists every Friday throughout the month.
• Black History Month Panel – A dedicated space for conversation and reflection centered on Black voices within Rokt.
• Black History Month Jeopardy Night – A fun and engaging Black history and culture trivia event designed to spark learning and connection.

Together, these moments reflect a core belief: honoring Black history is not only about the past, it is about shaping the future.

As part of this programming, we’re spotlighting members of the Blak’stars through the Voices in Action series. These reflections offer insight into growth, leadership, performance, and lived experience in a high-growth technology company.

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Aniyah Smith

On intention, clarity, and leading with consistency

How do you ground yourself before the workday begins so you can lead with intention?

I ground myself through physical movement. Whether it’s the gym or a run, that time helps me process my thoughts away from a screen and shift from reacting to actively shaping my day.

By the time I log on, I’ve already won my morning. That gives me the stamina to lead with intention instead of reacting to my inbox.

As a Black professional in a high-growth tech environment, how do you balance high performance with being a trailblazer for others?

I’m radically honest about my zone of genius. Being clear about what I do best gives my team a roadmap for how to use my skills effectively.

That clarity drives performance, but it also sets an example. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. You just have to be exceptional and authentic in your lane.

What habits or systems help you stay consistent when the pace gets intense?

My philosophy is consistency over perfection. In fast-moving environments, a version one to iterate on is far more valuable than waiting for perfect.

I focus on delivering the baseline every day. Having something tangible to improve is how you build toward excellence.

Can you share a moment at Rokt where intention, collaboration, and consistency came together?

I saw this in my work with vertical marketing initiatives. By building a consistent cadence with team leaders, I gained a deep understanding of the messages they wanted to champion.

Through ongoing collaboration and iteration, we created what I think of as an intellectual halo around the content. It wasn’t a one-off effort. It was sustained partnership that turned a message into momentum.

When things get derailed, how do you reset?

I take a tactical pause and revisit my win folder to remind myself of complex problems I’ve already solved.

That reset helps me re-enter conversations with clarity instead of panic. From there, I lean on my peers to help bridge the gap between where the work is and where we intended it to be.

In the context of Black History Month, how do you view your role at Rokt?

Being a Black professional at a high-growth company like Rokt means bringing perspective to the global commerce narrative.

To me, legacy is about empowerment. It’s about ensuring that as we scale, we’re opening doors and creating a blueprint for success that reflects the diversity of the world we’re building for.

How do you define success at the end of the day?

Success is precision paired with peace of mind. It’s completing high-impact work and going home fulfilled, not just drained.

If I’ve solved a complex problem and empowered a colleague along the way, that’s a successful day.

Joyin Ojo

On growth, discipline, and curiosity

What’s a belief you’ve changed your mind about over time?

Discipline. I used to think disciplined people just had more willpower — either you felt driven or you didn’t. Over time, I’ve realized it’s more about systems and environment. If you build habits, structure your world, and even learn to love what you’re doing when it’s hard, you become disciplined.

What’s a small habit that makes a big difference for you?

Keeping an end-of-week journal. I was skeptical for a long time, but there’s real power in putting your thoughts on paper. It keeps me aligned with my goals, concerns, and overall well-being.

What’s a skill you’re intentionally building right now?

I want to relearn French. I studied it in high school and college, but my fluency isn’t where I want it to be. I’m listening to more French music, watching French films, and curating my social feeds to include more Francophone creators.

What’s a moment you felt proud of yourself in the last year?

Getting the job at Rokt. The post-grad search was an arduous process, so I made sure to prepare and put my best foot forward. I’m glad that preparation paid off.

What’s something people often assume about you that isn’t true?

People say I seem laid-back and unbothered. That’s true to an extent, but I can be more affected than I let on, especially when it comes to fear of getting something wrong.

I’ve realized hesitation is what stagnates people. Growth comes from being uncomfortable and trying things before you feel fully ready. I’m working on showing up with more courage in those moments.

What’s your go-to reset?

Soccer. It’s been my stress reliever since I was little. It helps me decompress and channel my energy.

What’s advice you’re grateful to have heard early in your career?

The importance of outreach. Closed mouths don’t get fed. Who you know is just as important as what you know.

What’s a cause you care deeply about?

The immigrant community. Because of my background and family, and because many of my closest friends were international students now building lives in the U.S., I care deeply about people feeling supported as they navigate new systems and cultures.

What do you hope people remember about working with you?

That I leave no stone unturned and do things to the best of my ability. I’ve always admired reliability, and that’s something I strive for.

Dumebi Iheanacho

Advice to my younger self

What misconception did you have about success early on?

Growing up chronically online, I thought success looked loud and flashy — the cars, the jewelry, the luxury lifestyle. If you weren’t living that way, you weren’t really winning.

Now I see success as quieter and more meaningful. It’s about setting a real goal and committing to the journey, even when you don’t fully know how you’ll get there. The outcome matters, but who you become along the way matters more.

What’s one mistake you’d repeat faster?

Trying to make something perfect before sharing it.

Early on, I felt my work had to be flawless because my name was on it. I learned that perfection can be the enemy of progress. A strong version in someone’s hands today is often more valuable than a perfect version that arrives too late.

What habit would you build sooner?

Consistency. There’s no skill more valuable.

Once I started measuring my days and tracking whether my actions aligned with my goals, everything became clearer. That habit unlocked my career — including the opportunity to work at Rokt — and it will continue to open doors.

When choosing roles or companies, what matters most now?

Believing in the mission. Getting too caught up in how a job looks on paper is a distraction.

If you join a company you genuinely believe in, even if your first role isn’t your forever role, you’ll build transferable skills and grow faster in the right environment.

What advice would you give someone early in their career about confidence?

There are fewer rules than you think. Don’t let imagined restrictions make you play small.

If you’re in the room, you’re there for a reason. Confidence comes from backing yourself and building your contribution over time.

Zachary Williams

How I got here

What pivotal moment changed your direction?

Early in my career, someone told me to “ask for forgiveness instead of permission.” I struggled with imposter syndrome and was overly cautious about mistakes.

That advice shifted my mindset. Instead of presenting the safest opinion, I started sharing what I genuinely thought. I grew faster once I stopped waiting for validation before taking action.

What’s a challenge that shaped you?

Transitioning into parenthood while delivering critical business outcomes.

Balancing work with supporting my newborn son required new discipline and boundaries. Structuring my time more intentionally allowed me to maintain strong performance at work while being fully present at home.

What risky decision paid off?

Choosing Rokt.

I had multiple offers and knew Rokt moved quickly at a scale I hadn’t experienced before. During the final interview, coined the Bar Raiser at Rokt, I questioned whether I could keep up.

Ultimately, I bet on myself. That decision led me to some of the most challenging and rewarding technical problems of my career.

Who opened a door for you?

Switching from football to computer science was a huge pivot. One professor invested in me — encouraging office hours, introducing me to faculty, and making sure I had the tools to succeed.

That support strengthened my foundation in computer science.

What principle guides you today?

Treat everyone fairly and never assume you know more simply because you have more experience.

Respect creates space for learning in both directions. Some of my most valuable lessons have come from people earlier in their careers who saw things differently than I did.

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Through Black History Month programming led by the Blak’stars ERG, Rokt creates space to reflect, learn, and amplify Black voices across our global teams.

The Voices in Action series reflects this year’s theme: remembrance paired with responsibility. By elevating lived experiences and professional journeys, we continue building a culture where excellence and inclusion grow together — this month and every month.

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