Mentorship and visibility: unlocking opportunities for African Americans in the insurance industry

The insurance industry has historically been a traditional sector, often slow to embrace change. However, as it faces a future shaped by technology, evolving customer expectations, and a retiring workforce, the need to attract diverse voices and talent – particularly African American professionals – has never been more crucial.

At the 2024 NAAIA (National African American Insurance Association) Conference, industry leaders shared their insights with Insurance Business on how the sector can evolve to foster a more inclusive environment, emphasizing how attracting African Americans to the industry can help drive the future of insurance.

The power of role models and social media

According to Lexii Zielinski (pictured at top, left), a health solutions analyst at Aon, creating awareness and visibility around success in the insurance industry is crucial for inspiring the next generation of young Black professionals.

“We need to spread knowledge in underrepresented communities and educate schools about the opportunities available within the insurance sector,” Zielinski said. “Many of our white colleagues have family members, such as sons or nephews, whom they can guide in this direction. Unfortunately, this kind of support network hasn’t been established in the African American community.”

“By conveying the message that ‘you can achieve this, and this is a valuable opportunity for you,’ we can truly make a difference in underserved, low-income communities,” Zielinski said.

In addition to raising awareness about insurance as a lucrative career path, commercial claims manager Lee Swann (pictured at top, right), emphasized the equally important need to provide students with relatable role models. One way the insurance industry can achieve this is by leveraging social media.

“We could do a better job of showcasing more diverse faces in our industry. Overall, there’s a pressing need for advertising that reflects diversity,” Swann said. “Utilizing social media and engaging brand ambassadors or influencers to reach young Black professionals can be incredibly effective. They’re on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn; all it takes is the right approach.”

Giving young professionals opportunities to shine

Diversity efforts shouldn’t stop at inspiring students in the classroom – they must also include actively hiring qualified young Black professionals who are seeking opportunities after graduation.

Swann emphasized that there are already talented individuals, whether recent graduates or those with industry experience, ready to step into leadership roles. “There’s a significant lack of representation at the top, and these gaps could be filled by allowing more Hispanic, African American, and Asian professionals to challenge the status quo.

“They have the ability to solve complex, high-level problems, but the key is bringing these individuals into the room and giving them the space to voice their ideas,” Swann said.

Reflecting on the start of his own career and how mentorship helped him get his foot in the door, Kenwon Simpson (pictured above left), an account manager at Rathbun Insurance, emphasized the vital role mentorship plays in attracting African Americans to the insurance industry. “I was introduced to the industry through my mentor,” Simpson said.

“It’s about showing young African American boys and girls what their future could look like if they pursue higher education. We need to inspire youth and give them something to dream for.”

Diversity can help insurance firms perform better 

As noted by Rod Patterson, (pictured above right), director of property claims and vice president at Seneca Insurance, diversity not only brings fresh perspectives and drives innovation but it also benefits businesses financially.

“Research has shown that the more diverse your company is, the more profitable it becomes,” Patterson said.

A recent LinkedIn study found that organizations in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 36% more likely to financially outperform their peers. Additionally, diverse companies generate 2.5 times higher cash flow per employee, and inclusive teams are 35% more productive.

By attracting African Americans to sectors like insurance, firms can unlock a host of benefits, from enhanced innovation to stronger financial performance. In turn, young Black professionals are inspired to reach new heights as they see leadership roles filled by individuals who look like them, creating a ripple effect of aspiration and opportunity.

Egon Brown, who works in claims vendor management at Amerisure Insurance concluded, “From a recruiting and internal perspective, you need to practice what you preach. Visual representation is crucial to younger generations—if they see it, they’ll believe they can achieve it.”