Ben DeBerry II’s Post

Happy Pride Month 🌈 At DSM, we're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and celebrated. Our support for Pride extends beyond a single month, we promote diversity, equity, and acceptance all year round. 🌈 5 Ways to Support Pride and Inclusivity in Your Business: ❤️Set up internal LGBTQ+ networks or groups:  These networks provide peer support and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the company. 🧡Visible Policies: On your website, clearly communicate your company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Highlight policies that prevent discrimination based on gender, sexuality, race, religion, and disabilities. 💛 Offer Training Sessions: Educate employees to create a more informed and empathetic workplace. LGBTQ+ awareness, allyship, and pronoun usage.  💚Community Engagement: Partner with LGBTQ+ organisations or local charities; this does not have to mean a monetary donation. You could volunteer to support their work and share their news and events through your website. 💙 Don’t limit your efforts to Pride month alone: Continuously celebrate diversity and share success stories. 💜 Remember, authentic support goes beyond symbolism. It’s about creating a safe and inclusive space for all staff and customers. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️Research shows that UK businesses benefit from being vocal about their commitment to social justice, including support for Pride and LGBTQ+ rights. 🌈 - Follow us for more on this next week. #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #Rights #Inclusivity #BrandValues #SmallBusiness #Community #Pride #disabilityAware

🌈💼 Why does celebrating Pride matter in the workplace?  Because, when done authentically, it creates a truly inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable and confident being themselves. At Oaklin, a core facet of our culture is that our team can bring their whole selves to work, and Pride is pivotal in nurturing this culture. Pride serves as an opportunity to honour the LGBTQ+ community and to educate our business on the true meaning of Pride and the value found in celebrating it. That is why our Pride events this year were centred around education. These were: 🍕 A Pride Social, where our team came together for an LGBTQ+ themed quiz, a LOT of pizza, and a chance to connect and donate to an LGBTQ+ charity. 💭A Pride Lunch, where we discussed Pride's history and impact, all while acknowledging the progress that is yet to be made. 🎙️A series of communications offering film, TV, and book recommendations, as well as being a platform for our colleagues to share their personal stories. How did you celebrate Pride? #pride #pride2024 #inclusive #bringyourselftowork #celebratingLGBTQ+   

🌈 June is Pride Month! In celebration, we want to help debunk three myths about the LGBTQ+ community and how it relates to the workplace. Myth #1: Discussing LGBTQ+ issues at work is inappropriate. - Fact: Creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel safe discussing their identity can enhance workplace culture and productivity. Respectful discussion fosters understanding and reduces discrimination. Myth #2: LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives are not necessary because everyone is already treated equally. - Fact: Despite progress, many LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination and bias. Proactive inclusion efforts help ensure true equality and support for all. Myth #3: LGBTQ+ employees receive special treatment. - Fact: LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts aim to provide equal treatment and opportunities to all, correcting systemic imbalances and biases that have historically marginalized these individuals. Mediabarn values inclusivity in the workplace and seeks to support and promote social causes that share this goal. If you're considering volunteering or making a donation to a local cause, check out novapride.org.  ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 #pride #pridemonth #inclusion #dcpride #capitalpride #novapride

In #TheAHALife, we ensure our employees feel seen, heard, and valued by celebrating individuality through community support, including our employee resource groups like Hearts with Pride. Recently, Hearts with Pride celebrated #PrideMonth by honoring the stories of LGBTQ+ community members and allies. Jennifer Merback, our Marketing & Communications Director for Utah and Idaho, shared how her journey as an ally strengthened her support for loved ones.❤️ Who motivated you to become an ally for the LGBTQ+ community? - "My best friend Kerrie, who I met more than 25 years ago. I wanted to be a good friend and show that I cared about Kerrie's experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Today, my allyship has grown to encompass supporting my LGBTQ+ kids and being the mom they need and deserve." What does being an ally mean to you? - "To me, being an ally isn’t passive; it's a call to action. It is listening and learning from my LGBTQ+ family members and friends about their experiences and needs. It means speaking up, supporting LGBTQ+ businesses financially, voting for LGBTQ+ supportive candidates, and engaging with groups like Hearts with Pride." How has Hearts with Pride enhanced your allyship? - "Being a member/officer with Hearts with Pride has helped me be a better ally as I learn so much from my colleagues. It’s strengthened my passion for our work to ensure health equity for all and our core value of meeting people where they are. We need to continue funding LGBTQ+ inclusive research and show our commitment through participation in local Pride events, engagement with LGBTQ+ coalitions, and more." #HappyPrideMonth

Beyond 'Pride-ifying' Your Logo: True Colors Through Allyship 🌈 Every June, companies change their logos to rainbow colors for Pride Month. But true allyship goes beyond this symbolic gesture. Here’s how businesses can genuinely support the LGBTQ+ community year-round: Inclusive Policies 🏳️🌈: Implement non-discrimination policies and offer equitable benefits, including healthcare and parental leave for all employees. Workplace Culture 🌟: Foster a safe environment through LGBTQ+ sensitivity training, support employee resource groups, and organize educational events year-round. Support Causes 🤝: Partner with and donate to LGBTQ+ organizations, and sponsor community events. Representation 📸: Ensure LGBTQ+ visibility in marketing and leadership, reflecting diversity in all areas of your business. Advocacy 📢: Stand up for LGBTQ+ rights by supporting pro-LGBTQ+ legislation and condemning discriminatory actions. Listen and Learn 🗣️: Engage with LGBTQ+ employees and customers to understand their experiences and improve your practices. True allyship means committing to these actions consistently, demonstrating genuine support for the LGBTQ+ community every day.

Pride is not just a celebration...   Although it is an important time to celebrate the progress that has been made across legislation, attitudes and behaviours, it is also a continued protest.   At Allianz Technology we want to ensure we’re encouraging everyone to take a practical, holistic approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion that goes beyond rainbow logos.   As employers we can play a big part this Pride Month by stepping up and taking action to make sure everyone in the LGBTQ+ community feels safe and included at work every day of the year and that's why we: 🌈 Create networks and select ambassadors who lead the way in representing the colective and participate in panels, lead discussions, plan events and help coordinate our annual LGBTQ+ events. ⛔ Challenge exclusionary behaviours ⚠️ Raise Awareness 📚Offer trainings and testimonial talks 🦋 Share stories and realities 🎨 Decorate our workplace with Pride flags to communicate to our LGBTQ+ colleagues, clients and visitors that our organization is a safe space for them. and you, how do you contribute to create a more inclusive society? 😊 #Inclusion #AllianzTechnology #Pride

Today’s Daily DEI Moment is on allyship. Allyship isn’t all just rainbows and pride flags. As an LGBTQ+ ally, it is a responsibility to take part in the uncomfortable work. This advocacy work helps create more comfortable safe spaces in workplaces through diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives, education, and courageous conversations. 1. 👂Listen with loving ears- When we can listen with open ears, we can listen and be open to feeling uncomfortable and work through that. 2. 📚Get educated- Take initiative to self-educate around people, community and challenges. 3. 🆙Rise up-use bravery to stand up for those who are being aggressed against in person or online. 4. 👆Speak up-If you're in a social situation like a family gathering or a party, speak up if you hear homophobic or transphobic remarks or jokes. Tell the person it's inappropriate and unkind, and if they seem open to it, give them resources to get more insight. 5. 💵Donate and invest- Contribute to fundraisers for local groups and/or national organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community. 6. 🧑🦰State your pronouns- help create a safe space for LGBTQ+ folks by including pronouns when introducing yourself, either in an email or in person. 📒 Resource: https://lnkd.in/g-uv5nwb 🎥 Video: https://lnkd.in/gSkM5H-M Team take 5: 1. How would you define an ally? 2. What are actions allies take? What is observable? 3. Why is allyship important to LGBQT+ community beyond Pride? 4. How can allyship be ‘uncomfortable’? Is this positive or negative? #dei #pridemonth #allyship #diversity #inclusion #lgbqt+ #culture #activeallyship

🌈 **Rainbow Washing: A Call for Authentic Support this Pride Month** 🌈 As we step into Pride Month, we see an explosion of rainbow logos and colorful campaigns. While the visibility and celebration are heartening, it's essential to address a critical issue: rainbow washing. **What is Rainbow Washing?** Rainbow washing refers to companies and organizations adopting the rainbow colors of the LGBTQ+ community for marketing purposes, without backing this symbolism with meaningful actions or support. **Why It Matters** True allyship goes beyond temporary branding. It's about creating and fostering inclusive environments, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and supporting the community year-round. Rainbow washing can undermine these efforts, reducing Pride to a mere marketing opportunity. **How to Be an Authentic Ally** 1. **Implement Inclusive Policies**: Ensure your workplace policies support LGBTQ+ employees. This includes non-discrimination policies, inclusive benefits, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. 2. **Support LGBTQ+ Causes**: Donate to organizations that fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Encourage your employees to participate in volunteer work and provide matching donations for their contributions. 3. **Educate and Advocate**: Conduct training and workshops on LGBTQ+ issues. Use your platform to advocate for equality and share educational content that raises awareness. 4. **Listen to LGBTQ+ Voices**: Engage with LGBTQ+ employees and community members. Listen to their experiences and needs, and incorporate their feedback into your business practices. 5. **Year-Round Commitment**: Show your support beyond June. Pride is not a one-month affair; it's a continuous commitment to equality and inclusion. Let's make this Pride Month not just a time of celebration, but a catalyst for real change. Together, we can ensure our actions speak louder than our colors. #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #DiversityAndInclusion #AuthenticAllyship #CorporateResponsibility

This is your annual reminder that LGBTQ+ people exist all year, not just in June!  That’s why at Fearless Foundry, our commitment to the community doesn’t start or end this month— it’s active 365 days a year. Not only do we hire LGBTQ+ people, we also prioritize LGBTQ+ inclusion in all of our work.  This happens in a few different ways: 1. We prioritize underrepresented founders who don’t otherwise have access to our resources, like our Figure 8 community. This means that the group benefits from their genius, and they get to learn and grow alongside others who are are also building their businesses. 2. Most of our give-back clients are LGBTQ+-founded brands. This is because we know these founders are less likely to have access to grants, investments, and other capital that most businesses need to start on solid ground and be successful.  3. As a majority LGBTQ+ company, we are always coaching clients on inclusion— from language and imagery to outreach and marketing strategies, ensuring that their practices don’t just sound inclusive but actually are inclusive.  What are you doing to support the LGBTQ+ community this month? Let us know in the comments! #SupportLGBTQ #InclusiveBusiness #LGBTQFounders #YearRoundPride #EqualityInBusiness #LGBTQSupport #DiversityAndInclusion #EmpowerUnderrepresented #LGBTQCommunity #PrideInBusiness #InclusiveCoaching #SupportAllYear #DiverseFounders #LGBTQEntrepreneurs

This morning, as I started my infusions at the hospital (a journey that will continue for the next four weeks). As the nurse was getting my IV started, something caught my eye – the cart they were using had a WBENC certified business logo. It made me smile to see this symbol of diversity right there in front of me. I love supporting diverse-owned businesses, and it’s incredibly uplifting to see more and more women-owned, minority-owned and LGBTQ+ suppliers making their mark in big places. It’s a reminder that our choices matter and that diversity and inclusion are making tangible impacts in our everyday lives. Seeing this today has given me a boost of positivity, and I hope it does the same for you. Let’s continue to support and celebrate diverse suppliers in all sectors! #Diversity #Inclusion #SupportDiverseBusinesses #WomenOwned #MinorityOwned #LGBTOwned #SupplierDiversity #PositiveImpact #Procurement #SupplyChain #InclusiveProcurement #DiverseSuppliers #SustainableProcurement #StrategicSourcing #ProcurementExcellence #SupplyManagement #EthicalProcurement #ProcurementStrategy