Workspace Celebrates Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, I was thrilled to sit down with Daniel Abunaw -- a valued member of Workspace and a proud African American professional -- to discover more about his career path and to hear his insights on what the contributions and experiences of Black people mean to him.

This month is a time to reflect on the rich history, resilience, and achievements of the Black community, and to amplify the voices that continue to shape our workplace and society. I encourage you to read on to learn about Daniel’s journey, the significance of Black History Month in his life, and how we can all foster a more inclusive and equitable environment.

LISA: What do you do for work, and what’s the most rewarding part of working remotely?

DANIEL: I’m originally from Albany, NY but moved to Boston to attend Northeastern University. I graduated from Northeastern in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. After undergrad, I worked for Transamerica in their Retirement Services department. Looking to open more opportunities for myself, I decided to take advantage of Transamerica’s tuition reimbursement program and pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Information Systems with a Data Analytics concentration from Boston University. After 5 years, I finally completed my Master’s degree in August 2024.

I currently work for Principal Financial Group within their Retirement and Investor Services department as a Senior Pension Calculation Automation Analyst. In my role, I am responsible for accurately calculating the monthly retirement benefit for individuals. This retirement benefit provides lifetime income to those individuals exiting the workforce.

The most rewarding part of working remotely is the feeling of control to shift my work schedule to accommodate the needs of my personal life. Remote work makes it easier to manage doctor appointments, be home to meet a contractor or get a morning workout in at the gym before starting work. If I need to take my daughter to an appointment with her pedestrian, I can do so when my schedule permits and make up any time missed from work at a more convenient time that benefits me.

LISA: What made you choose Workspace as your remote work base, and how did it improve your work-life balance?

DANIEL: It was January 2023 I had just left my job at Transamerica for a new opportunity with Principal, my wife was pregnant with our first child, and I needed to find a place to work Monday-Friday because the 2 nd bedroom in our condominium would be turning into a nursery. I went to Google to look up office rentals along the South Shore and came across a listing posted by Justin Moran. I called and scheduled a tour of private offices at Workspace@Shipyard in Hingham. I was transparent that I had never leased an office before and was on a limited budget. Justin made me a fair offer on a private office space with the commitment of leasing the office for one year. I have been here ever since, and it has been an amazing experience and partnership. Because I use Workspace as my remote work base, I was able to establish clear expectations and boundaries with my employer. Once I log off for the evening and leave my office chair, I don’t answer any Microsoft Teams messages or respond to incoming emails until the next morning. Once I’m home, my family has my undivided attention, and I feel no pressure to work outside of my regular work hours.

LISA: How do you like to unwind or spend your free time when you're not working?

DANIEL: When I’m not working, I’m busy chasing my 2-year-old daughter around the house or taking her to indoor playgrounds. When I get a moment to breathe, I enjoy watching sports (football, basketball, baseball, or tennis) or binge-watching shows like Severance, Shrinkage or Love Is Blind with my wife. And when we go out to eat, I like to relax with a glass of Chardonnay.

LISA: If you could give one piece of advice to fellow entrepreneurs or professionals, what would it be?

DANIEL: Exactly two years ago, my older brother unexpectedly passed away 4 days after the birth of my daughter. Despite our best efforts, we are continually vulnerable to the unpleasant hits that life sends our way. So, my one piece of advice to fellow professionals is that life will always have highs and lows, but remember that each hardship will better prepare you for what comes next. If you’ve overcome something hard, please recognize and celebrate all the work you’ve done for yourself. Celebrating the small and big wins can help with your confidence that you can do anything beyond your current level of experience and skill.

LISA: What does Black History Month mean to you personally, and how has it influenced your perspective on history and identity?

DANIEL: Black History Month is a celebration of my ancestors and their motivation to always strive for greatness beyond their current circumstances and the responsibility to create a better path in life for their successors. Black History Month urges us to go beyond surface-level recognition of the struggles and triumphs of Black individuals and communities. It is designed to elevate the voices and stories of Black individuals that may sometimes get overlooked. Black History Month has influenced my perspective on history by going beyond stories of racism and slavery and instead focusing on Black achievements and giving visibility to those who are left out of the national narrative in this country.

LISA: Is there a particular historical figure or event in Black history that has inspired you, and why?

DANIEL: There isn’t a particular historical figure that has inspired me but someone that I feel deserves more mainstream recognition is Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander. In 1921, she became the first African American to earn a Ph. D in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and became the first woman to earn a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Alexander used her legal expertise to open doors that were closed to Black Americans. Her remarkable academic journey and her pursuit of excellence as an aspiring economist and policy practitioner are something I admire and plan to teach to my daughter.

LISA: How do you think Black History Month can be used to create meaningful change and awareness beyond just the month of February?

DANIEL: Black History Month is about sharing and celebrating the stories of countless men and women who influenced the world. Some achievements are noted more than others. But each of their stories reveals, not only how they changed the world, but also a call to action to continue to advocate and uplift those in society who feel they are often pushed to the margins.

We all should engage in initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at work, school, or in the community. Support Black-owned businesses, and actively challenge discrimination and inequality wherever you encounter it.

At Workspace, we wholeheartedly resonate with Daniel's message and I'm deeply grateful for the time he took from his busy schedule to share his insights with me.