Nicole Beatty, CFRE’s Post

Today, we celebrate the courage and authenticity of those who come out and live their truth. National Coming Out Day is a powerful reminder of the importance of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in all aspects of life. Embracing and supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals means creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and accepted. Let’s stand together in solidarity, advocate for equality, and celebrate the diverse identities that enrich our communities. Every step towards inclusion brings us closer to a world where everyone can express their true selves without fear. The HACR - Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility is leading a powerful coalition of allied organizations representing historically underrepresented groups, including Asian Americans, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, women, and Black and Hispanic communities.  Launched in Washington, HACR President and CEO Cid Wilson began a 240+ mile trek from Capitol Hill to Wall Street in New York City’s financial district.    Our commitment to change is unwavering. This is why we continue to work alongside our incredible partners, such as the Human Rights Campaign and the Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors, to champion #DEI at every level of corporate leadership. Visit WalktoWallStreet.org to learn how you can get involved.    Let’s stand up for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Together, we can make a difference.   #HACR #DiversityEquityAndInclusion #CaminamosJuntos #NationalComingOutDay #LGBTQIA+Inclusion #CelebrateDiversity #BeYourself #SupportAndAcceptance

Think of the last time you walked into a room full of people and just froze. Your heart races as you realize you don’t know any of them very well; they all seem to know each other, and you wish the ground would swallow you whole. As the sweat starts to gather at your brow, a face peers up at you, smiles, and says, “You can sit with us!”. The wave of relief that follows as you sit at a table of smiling strangers takes you out of your middle school nightmare, and into a sense of belonging. Many things have changed since that middle school nightmare, but one of the most important changes is that we no longer wish to “fit in.” We now wish to be accepted for who we are—who we truly are. June is the month that we celebrate Pride and there is no better time to practice acceptance. There is no better time to invite someone to “sit” with you, to make someone feel like they belong, just the way they are. June is National Pride Month, which is rooted in the Stonewall riots, which took place over several days beginning on June 28, 1969. We want to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community in 911 and those helping to make the future safer for our young LGBTQ+ community. Your support is more than just a shirt purchase. It’s a direct contribution to the safety and well-being of young LGBTQ+ individuals. We understand that Pride Month is about more than rainbow logos, and this year we are utilizing our platform to help bring recognition and funding to an incredible organization. We are partnering with Zebra Youth, a nonprofit organization that assists young (ages 13-24) LGBTQ+ people facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual, and drug abuse with individualized programs to guide them to recovery and stability. A portion of our profit from this tee will be donated directly to their mission! Check out our new special Pride Month design (and alllll the color and size options) at our online store and support two great organizations as we show our support with the incredible LGBTQ+ first responders! #911derWomen #EmpowerPride #YouCanSitWithUs #PrideMonth #AcceptanceMatters #ZebraYouth #SupportEquality #LGBTQFirstResponders #LGBTYouth

Reflecting on this year’s Women’s Affinity and Multicultural Affinity Summits, we are overwhelmed with gratitude and inspiration. The theme of “Changing the Game” truly resonates with us as we continue pushing boundaries, breaking barriers, and driving lasting impact for future generations. 👏 It’s not just about the work we do today—it’s about building a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone. We’re incredibly proud to be part of a movement that empowers women, uplifts the LGBTQ+ community, strengthens our families, and unites our teams. Together, we’re creating lasting change, expanding opportunities, and rewriting the narrative for a better tomorrow. 💫 ✔️ Changing the game for generations ✔️ Changing the game for women 👩💼 ✔️ Changing the game for the LGBTQ+ community 🏳️🌈 ✔️ Changing the game for our loved ones 💙 ✔️ Changing the game for our team 💪 ✔️ Changing the game for you 🫶 A huge thank you to @northwesternmutual for leading the charge and providing a space where we can come together to inspire, connect, and grow. Your commitment to diversity, inclusion, and empowering change-makers is paving the way for a brighter future. We’re honored to be part of this journey. 🙌 Now, we want to hear from YOU! How are you changing the game in your community or industry? 👇✨ #changingthegame #affinitysummit #northwesternmutual #womensaffinitysummit #multiculturalaffinitysummit #diversityandinclusion #communityempowerment #lgbtqleadership #womenempowerment #breakingbarriers #futureleaders #financialempowerment #growthmindset #changingnarratives #leadershipgoals #impactfulleadership #teamwork #queerempowerment #communitysupport #purposefulleadership #expandingopportunities #makinganimpact

🌈Pride at ABB: What's next? We had an amazing Pride month at ABB, but did you know there are lots of people who respect the LGBTQ+ community but choose not to celebrate it publicly? Here at ABB, we're all about inclusion, and this year I decided to speak to some leaders to understand their perspectives. Turns out, some have: - Faith-based reasons: Respecting individuals and the community while not aligning with public celebrations. - Focus on broader issues: Believing other social causes also deserve recognition and attention. I shared these thoughts with Harriet Padina and we discussed the power of silent allies and how they role model though everyday actions by: 🎯 Having exemplary behavior: Setting a positive tone for inclusion. 📢 Engaging in 1:1 conversations: advocating for respect, inclusion, and understanding for the LGBTQ+ community. Silent allies, you're welcome here and you are a vital part of our ABB inclusion agenda! #comeasyouare #pride #inclusionforall 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼Kudos to Luca Condosta, Ph.D. (he/him) and all the DEI Champions for creating so many memorable moments for education and engagement across the globe 🌎

Curious about what qualifies as a "diverse business"? Tracey Grace, the visionary behind Certifiably Diverse explains, a diverse business is majority owned by those from underrepresented communities, such as racial/ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans. When enterprises work with small and diverse businesses, innovation happens! 🏳️🌈 LGBTBE - LGBT Business Enterprise ♿ DOBE - Disability-Owned Business Enterprise 🇺🇸 VBE - Veteran Business Enterprise 🙋🏽♀️ WBE - Women's Business Enterprise 🌈 MBE - Minority Business Enterprise #DiversityAndInclusion #Inclusion #Equity #EqualityForAll #DEI #SupplierDiversity #DiverseSuppliers #MinorityOwnedBusiness #WBE #MBE #SBE #VendorManagement #SupplyChain #Procurement #SupplierManagement #WomenLeaders #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #NGLCC #CEOAction #Innovation #Community #Empowerment #InclusiveProcurement #CertifiablyDiverse

Cherry Bekaert is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture that values the diverse qualities each team member contributes. Our commitment to allyship and building a diverse organization is demonstrated through our ongoing firm-wide Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): • ADAPT (Abled & Disabled, Allies Partnering Together): supports all people who have a physical and/or mental disability and allies. • MOSAIC: supports all people of color from various racial and ethnic backgrounds and allies. • Pride Alliance: supports all people who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies. • Working Parents and Caregivers: supports all people who are parenting or caring for loved ones and allies. • Women of Cherry Bekaert: supports all women at the Firm and allies. Together, with our ERGS, Green Table Talks, and continuous efforts to highlight cultural observances, we're fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Discover how we're making a difference for our people, clients and communities through our firm-wide initiatives: https://okt.to/LciYjT #DiversityMonth #DEI #BridgingDifferences #CelebratingDiversity

Cherry Bekaert is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture that values the diverse qualities each team member contributes. Our commitment to allyship and building a diverse organization is demonstrated through our ongoing firm-wide Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): • ADAPT (Abled & Disabled, Allies Partnering Together): supports all people who have a physical and/or mental disability and allies. • MOSAIC: supports all people of color from various racial and ethnic backgrounds and allies. • Pride Alliance: supports all people who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies. • Working Parents and Caregivers: supports all people who are parenting or caring for loved ones and allies. • Women of Cherry Bekaert: supports all women at the Firm and allies. Together, with our ERGS, Green Table Talks, and continuous efforts to highlight cultural observances, we're fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Discover how we're making a difference for our people, clients and communities through our firm-wide initiatives: https://okt.to/ZSaOkU #DiversityMonth #DEI #BridgingDifferences #CelebratingDiversity

Cherry Bekaert is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture that values the diverse qualities each team member contributes. Our commitment to allyship and building a diverse organization is demonstrated through our ongoing firm-wide Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): • ADAPT (Abled & Disabled, Allies Partnering Together): supports all people who have a physical and/or mental disability and allies. • MOSAIC: supports all people of color from various racial and ethnic backgrounds and allies. • Pride Alliance: supports all people who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies. • Working Parents and Caregivers: supports all people who are parenting or caring for loved ones and allies. • Women of Cherry Bekaert: supports all women at the Firm and allies. Together, with our ERGS, Green Table Talks, and continuous efforts to highlight cultural observances, we're fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Discover how we're making a difference for our people, clients and communities through our firm-wide initiatives: https://okt.to/MmtBsC #DiversityMonth #DEI #BridgingDifferences #CelebratingDiversity

Cherry Bekaert is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture that values the diverse qualities each team member contributes. Our commitment to allyship and building a diverse organization is demonstrated through our ongoing firm-wide Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): • ADAPT (Abled & Disabled, Allies Partnering Together): supports all people who have a physical and/or mental disability and allies. • MOSAIC: supports all people of color from various racial and ethnic backgrounds and allies. • Pride Alliance: supports all people who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies. • Working Parents and Caregivers: supports all people who are parenting or caring for loved ones and allies. • Women of Cherry Bekaert: supports all women at the Firm and allies. Together, with our ERGS, Green Table Talks, and continuous efforts to highlight cultural observances, we're fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. Discover how we're making a difference for our people, clients and communities through our firm-wide initiatives: https://okt.to/R7LV10 #DiversityMonth #DEI #BridgingDifferences #CelebratingDiversity

As we celebrate Pride Month, it’s essential to distinguish genuine allyship from mere rainbow washing. The conversation around ‘rainbow-washing’—where companies use Pride symbols without meaningful action—raises important questions about the intersection of commerce and social causes in the workplace. 🏳️🌈 Authentic Allyship: How do we distinguish between allyship and marketing tactics? It’s crucial for organizations to move beyond just changing logos and to actively contributing to LGBTQ+ causes and support their employees. ❌ Symbolic Gestures: Visible support, like rainbow displays, can bring joy and a sense of inclusion. However, we must consider the impact and intentions behind these gestures. Are they contributing to real change or just surface-level? 🤝 Genuine Support: Let’s remember the ongoing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. True support extends beyond Pride Month and involves continuous efforts to promote equality and fight discrimination. 💼 Corporate Responsibility: Avoiding rainbow washing also means defending LGBTQ+ equality and financially supporting community non-profits. Let’s commit to real change and support for the LGBTQ+ community, not just during Pride Month, but all year round. Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce, dba The Gaymber “Inclusive Business is Good Business!” #PrideMonth #LGBTQSupport #AuthenticAllyship #DiversityAndInclusion