Amy Eliza Wong’s Post

In the modern workplace, fostering an inclusive environment goes beyond policies and procedures—it begins with language. Acknowledging and respecting individuals' pronouns is a simple yet powerful way to affirm their identities and create a culture of respect and acceptance. Whether it's he/him, she/her, they/them, or something else entirely, each pronoun carries significance and deserves recognition. By normalizing the practice of sharing and using pronouns in introductions, email signatures, and meetings, we signal our commitment to inclusivity and demonstrate our respect for the diverse identities within our teams. This small but meaningful gesture can make a world of difference for LGBTQ+ individuals, who too often face discrimination and erasure in professional settings. As we strive to build workplaces where everyone feels valued and seen, let's remember the power of pronouns in fostering inclusivity and belonging. Together, let's create environments where individuals can bring their whole selves to work and thrive as their authentic selves. #Inclusion #Diversity #PronounsMatter

Reflecting on my childhood, it's clear that my experiences were markedly different from many of my peers. Growing up feeling different, and navigating the complexities of understanding my identity in a world that often lacked understanding and acceptance, was a journey filled with challenges. It was these early experiences, marked by feelings of isolation and a longing for a community that understood, that laid the foundation for what would later become the MIST LGBTQ Foundation. Our mission was born from a personal understanding of the importance of acceptance, support, and love. Creating MIST was not just about building a community; it was about changing the narrative for future generations. I understand that not everyone can truly grasp what it feels like to grow up feeling out of place, to question your identity in a society that doesn't always provide the answers or the support you need. But from this personal journey, a crucial lesson emerged: the importance of sensitivity and empathy towards all, especially in environments where we spend a significant portion of our lives - our workplaces. This is a call to action for corporate leaders and employees alike to foster workplaces that are not just tolerant, but genuinely inclusive and safe for LGBTQ+ individuals. It's about moving beyond mere acceptance to creating environments where every person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feels valued and supported. Let's be the architects of a corporate culture that celebrates diversity, practices empathy, and nurtures a sense of belonging for everyone. While not everyone will know how it feels to walk in my shoes, or the shoes of countless others in the LGBTQ+ community, everyone has the capacity to be a little more sensitive, a little more understanding, and a lot more supportive. #InclusionMatters #LGBTQSupport #SafeWorkplaces #DiversityAndInclusion #EmpathyInAction

We just kicked-off #PrideMonth and I want to use this opportunity for a moment of reflection and solidarity. It's a time when countless companies are standing in support of the LGBTQ+ community, bringing visibility to those who often feel marginalized.   It is up to each of us to rise to the occasion, accept our differences and uncover any conscious or unconscious biases. It is about accepting everyone’s individuality, regardless of sexual orientation, #gender or gender identity. However, let's acknowledge that achieving true inclusivity is an ongoing journey. We may still not be there yet. We might make mistakes. I know I did some and I learned a lot from them. Every day, we commit ourselves to learning, educating others, and addressing the systemic barriers that persist in society and in business is a step in the right direction. A culture of belonging can only thrive when we all work together with empathy, generosity, and respect. #Diversity is no buzzword; it's a fundamental aspect of creating a workplace where every individual feels valued and welcomed.  So, I urge you to join us on this journey. Let's amplify the message of love and unity, not just during Pride Month, but every single day. Together, let's build a future where diversity, equity and inclusion are lived reality. Happy Pride Month! 🌈 #WeAreHenkel 

Celebrating Pride Month 🎉  : Embracing Inclusivity 🤝  and Uncovering Unconscious Biases 🤔 June is Pride Month 🏳️🌈, a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and promote visibility and acceptance. As we join in these celebrations, it's essential to focus on inclusivity and the impact of unconscious biases.   Inclusivity: A Cornerstone of Pride 👥 Inclusivity means creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued. It’s about ensuring that all voices, 🗣️especially those historically marginalised, are heard. By embracing diversity, we enrich our communities and foster a sense of belonging for everyone.   Addressing Unconscious Biases 🔍 Unconscious biases are hidden judgments that influence our behaviour. Acknowledging and addressing these biases is crucial for true inclusivity.   Steps to mitigate unconscious biases:   Self-Reflection: Reflect on your attitudes and beliefs 🧠 Education: Learn about LGBTQ+ history and struggles 📚 Active Listening: Engage with and listen to LGBTQ+ individuals 👂 Inclusive Language: Use gender-neutral terms and respect pronouns Challenge Stereotypes: Question stereotypical representations 🙅♀️ Advocate for Change: Promote inclusive policies and practices ⚖ Moving Forward Together This Pride Month, let's commit to fostering inclusivity and challenging our unconscious biases. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.   Happy Pride Month! 🌈 #PrideMonth #Inclusivity #UnconsciousBias #LGBTQ #CelebrateDiversity #EqualityForAll

Most companies preach that they are diverse and inclusive companies, yet they base and measure their D&I on how many LGBTQ+ employees have or how many marketing campaigns include this community (nothing against them; this is just a reflection of what I see all over social) D&I is more than just one community, and it’s definitely not a trend. D&I is not about “what’s your gender” or “how do you identify yourself” statistics from application forms; D&I is all about being diverse. It’s about providing equal opportunities to people, engaging with cultural diversity, neurodiversity, physical ability, geographical diversity, and much, much more! On Thursday (03/21), we celebrated Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and I have to say I have barely seen any posts about it from these so-called D&I companies. Let’s get real; let’s embrace diversity for what it is. I am leaving you with some inspirational diversity quotes! * "Diversity in all its forms is the path to greatness." — James D Wilson * "We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity, life would be very boring." — Catherine Pulsifer * "Diversity is the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work." — Andres Tapia #RockYourSocks #Diversity #Inclusion #IhadtoSayIt

💡 Did you know? According to BCG research, 53% of LGBTQI* employees that come out of the closet in their day to day life, voluntarily re-enter the closet when entering the working world - An action commonly referred to as entering “the corporate closet.” So here's the million dollar question, why do LGBTQ+ professionals go back into the closet? Well, here's three pretty compelling reasons why. What can companies do to better equitable hiring processes, pay, and retention for LGBTQ+ employees? Let me know your thoughts in the comments: #lgbtq #inclusion #diversity #talentattraction

🏳️🌈 As we enter the month of June, a time when individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations come together to recognize and protest the struggles faced by the queer community, we see a surge of rainbow logos from corporations. These symbols are meant to signal allyship and support for the LGBTQ+ community. However, there's a disconnect that often goes unnoticed. Despite the colorful displays of support, many of these same companies fall short when it comes to meaningful actions, such as hiring individuals who represent the very communities they claim to support. Too often, job applicants receive impersonal rejection emails that begin with "Unfortunately...". The essence of this message is to urge corporations to move beyond performative allyship. If you are going to embrace the rainbow in your branding, commit to actions that truly support the LGBTQ+ community. This means creating opportunities, providing jobs, and fostering an inclusive workplace environment for the people whose identities you are championing. A logo is not enough. True allyship requires tangible support and actions that uplift the community. Until then, the rainbow colors should be more than just a marketing strategy—they should symbolize a genuine commitment to equality and inclusion. Happy Pride Moth to everyone celebrating. #pride2024 #pridemonth #findingjobs

June is in full-swing and right now, companies across the country are either discussing how they will support Pride this year or are actively kicking off their Pride activations. So, what is my advice for CEOs this Pride Month as they navigate the current landscape? As I highlight in my piece for Fast Company, it's straightforward. Do something you can really, truly be proud of. Forget the noise and the nonsense, and instead take action based on your vision and your values. Focus on the greater good. Because the truth is, what’s in the best interest of your co-workers, consumers, and company, is in the best interest of the LGBTQ+ community. And vice versa. Look towards inclusion and belonging. Look towards the future! https://lnkd.in/ej5pS7zB #BusinessOfBelonging #Pride

Ending Pride Month with a reminder: let's go beyond rainbow logos. 🌈 Corporate leaders, align your actions with your vision and values. Authentic support for LGBTQ+ equity fosters a better workplace and drives long-term success. #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #InclusiveLeadership #DiversityandInclusion

Celebrating June with Purpose, Proactivity, and Pride! We’re closing out Pride Month but for Fire & Bliss Creative, pride isn’t something we celebrate for a month. It is something we live all year long. LGBTQ+ liberation is a core value of our company. We also embody being purposeful and proactive. ✨Purposeful: The work we develop for our clients is full of intention and we make sure that their brand resonates with their intended audiences. No willy-nilly stuff or throwing things at the wall hoping they stick. We create roadmaps that emphasize the importance of testing and iteration to find the best path forward, helping our clients to make informed strategic decisions. ✨Proactive: Social impact is not just a buzzword for us. We choose to work with clients who have a strong moral compass and a desire to make a positive impact on the world in some way and we are happy to guide them on this journey. Plus, we’re always thinking ahead about ways to improve and innovate, including how we anticipate the needs of medium-sized business and nonprofit marketers who require unique support to meet their goals. ✨Proud: We take immense pride in our hardworking team and the dynamic culture we've built together. We value sharing opinions and actively listening to each other so that we can continuously improve ourselves and our work. We are extremely proud of the work that we create. Join us in celebrating Pride Month by supporting LGBTQ+ voices and businesses. Let’s continue to be purposeful, proactive, and proud—always. If you need help figuring out what that means for you, send us a message today. #Purposeful #Proactive #Proud #Marketing