National Parks Conservation Association’s Post

Big shoutout to Linda Lee (she/her), Chief People Officer of Velocity Global for allowing us the opportunity to speak to our whole company about important & difficult stuff. I had the honor of interviewing the incoming leadership of our PRIDE group. They were all so willing to be open, transparent, vulnerable, brave, and strong. These are the attributes we need right now. My opening remarks follow: ----------------------------------------------------------- Hey all! And happy pride month! We typically begin these kinds of meetings with a reminder of why this matters. Why do we still need pride events? I mean…sure… we can all use an injection of style & fabulousness, but why do we "need" this? In our post-Will-&-Grace age where we have gay marriage as the rule of the land, why do we "need" these events? As a reminder, Pride month is in June. It’s not because we can all wear short shorts and tight t-shirts on floats. Well… that’s not the only reason. It’s because it's the anniversary of the Stonewall riots - a huge gay uprising in NYC against the cops who were routinely raiding the bar and arresting us. Pride events were and are acts of activism; they’re a reminder of uprising, they’re a reminder to keep fighting, they are a call to action. There was a German philosopher named Hegel who posited that history has patterns - the Hegelian Dialectic - made up of Thesis, Antithesis, & Synthesis. Something is true (thesis), then the opposite pushes back (antithesis), this leads to a transformation (synthesis). For gay rights, we've seen this year after year. When I was 18, I marched in my first gay pride parade in New York. When we passed churches we were met with people screaming at us “God Hates Fags”. 42 years later, in Colorado right now, we have people chanting God Hates Flags, pushing people to burn gay flags. So yes, we have gay marriage And we have gay flag burning. The thesis and antithesis. What remains is the synthesis; the transformation. That’s where the role of Pride events lives; in the nudging of social evolution. That’s why we do these. To not back down, but to keep fighting back. Especially when it’s not easy.

It may be the end of June BUT….. Why Awareness Months Matter I've seen posts lately criticising Pride Month and initiatives like Black Lives Matter, often accompanied by comments like "All Lives Matter." Let's set the record straight: Yes, all lives do matter, but the reason we focus on specific groups at certain times is to address and raise awareness about the unique challenges they face. We celebrate Pride Month to honor the LGBTQ community and their ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance. Similarly, Black Lives Matter highlights the systemic racism and injustice faced by Black individuals. These initiatives aren't about saying other lives or issues don't matter; they're about shining a light on specific problems that need our attention and action. For those who argue that we should celebrate all lives and issues all the time, consider this: by bringing focused attention to different causes at different times, we ensure that each gets the visibility and support it needs. Just like in business, where we don’t promote all products at once but focus on one at a time to maximise impact, awareness months allow us to concentrate our efforts and make a real difference. So instead of complaining about why certain groups get a month or why certain movements are in the spotlight, let's support these initiatives and understand that they are essential for driving progress and creating a more inclusive society for everyone. Do you agree?

Our stories, our voices, our data. #BlackFacts is here. ✊🏾 This groundbreaking survey, conducted by Black people, for Black people, is a testament to our commitment to telling our own stories. It uniquely captures the diverse perspectives of the Black community on Black LGBTQ issues. For the first time, we’ve gauged attitudes within our community to shine light on the challenges and triumphs that are vital for our survival. This is our data, our stories, and our voice. Let’s stand together and ensure our narratives are used to turn down white noise and center fact-based conversations about the policy peioroties that matter most to diverse communities. Visit www.NBJC.org/BlackFacts to learn more about what we did, why it’s important, and what we found. 📈🖤🌈 #OurVoicesMatter #BlackLGBTQPerspectives #Data #Research #Advocacy #Action

🌟 Day 3: Honoring Black Queer Pioneers: Foundations of Our Fight 🌟 Today, we honor the incredible Black queer pioneers who have been instrumental in both the civil rights and LGBTQ movements. From Marsha P. Johnson's fearless activism during the Stonewall Riots to Bayard Rustin's strategic brilliance in organizing the 1963 March on Washington, and James Baldwin's eloquent critiques of race and sexuality—these trailblazers have paved the way for the freedoms we cherish today. 🔍 Key Highlights: Marsha P. Johnson: Co-founder of the Gay Liberation Front and STAR, advocating for homeless LGBTQ youth and sex workers. Bayard Rustin: Close advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and key organizer of the historic 1963 March on Washington. James Baldwin: Brilliant writer and social critic whose works like "The Fire Next Time" challenged racism and homophobia, fostering greater empathy and understanding. Their legacies remind us that our liberation is deeply intertwined, and their bravery continues to inspire our fight for justice and equality. Quote of the day: "History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history." – James Baldwin 📖 Read more and join the conversation on my Substack newsletter In solidarity and empowerment, Desireé B Stephens #Pride #Juneteenth #BlackQueerPioneers #Intersectionality #CivilRights #LGBTQ #SocialJustice #CommunityBuilding #Liberation #EquityInEducation

An ally is defined as someone who is “associated with another as a helper; a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity or struggle.” In recent years, the term has evolved to describe those who educate themselves, support, and advocate for underrepresented groups. Most of us naturally support causes and individuals we relate to or know personally. But for the world to change in meaningful ways, we must extend ourselves beyond our familiar and comfortable circles. We need to become allies for those whose experiences and struggles we might not encounter directly or even fully understand. This Pride Month offers an opportunity for all of us to learn what it feels like to walk in someone else’s shoes. Whether they are LGBTQ , Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, or from any other underrepresented group, we can start by simply asking: what are your experiences? How can I support you? Let’s use this month to start conversations, listen actively, question our assumptions, and stand in solidarity. By doing so, we can become better allies and help create a more inclusive workplace and world. #PrideMonth #Allyship #Inclusion #Diversity #Wellbeing

If I have had one original idea for the DEIB field, it’s the Mosaic. The Mosaic is a cross-organizational super-ERG composed of constituent ERG’s; the Mosaic would be composed of one elected member from each individual ERG (e.g., Black Empoyees Group, LGBTQ Employees Group, Differnelty-Abled Employees Group, etc.). This super-ERG would serve as a de facto Diversity Council and work to inform the organization’s mission on an executive level. Effectively, it is a larger, more inclusive group helping organizational leaders to incorporate grassroots social justice concerns into dynamic, future-forward, C-level decisions. Feel free to use the Mosaic. I’ve successfully implemented it in both SME’s and global enterprises.

🌟 Celebrating Juneteenth! 🌟 Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This historic day symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and represents a significant milestone in the fight for equality and justice. Juneteenth is a time to reflect on our history, honor the resilience and contributions of Black Americans, and recognize the ongoing struggle for true freedom and equality. It's a celebration of Black culture, achievements, and the unyielding spirit that continues to inspire us all. At Radiant Health Centers, we believe in equality for all, and we believe in compassionate care and support for everyone regardless of their race, color, faith, origin, sex, or orientation. We recognize there are still hurdles we face in overcoming bias and discrimination in our own communities. But we stand in solidarity with our Black and LGBTQ communities so that no one is left behind. Together, we can create a world where everyone is free to be their true selves. 🏳️🌈✊🏿 #Juneteenth #EqualityForAll #RadiantHealthCenters #LGBTQ #BlackLivesMatter #Celebration #CompassionateCare #InclusiveCommunity

To help define the future you must be aware of the past. 🤔 How often have you seen visible #Black #LGBTQ Role Models in the workplace? The answer is not nearly enough in general and in the Financial Services industry - hardly at all. ⚫ We are shining a light on the extraordinary but often untold stories of Black LGBTQ heroes. At LGBT Great, we're working to empower 1 million people by 2030, and a critical part of our mission is to illuminate these powerful yet often invisible and untold stories.   ⚫ Part of our journey involves elevating the voices and contributions of Black #lesbian, #gay, #bisexual, #transgender, and #queer people. Together, we must work to encourage and inspire the visibility of more Black LGBTQ talent and leaders in the workplace. ⚫ Join us in this journey of discovery and recognition. Together, let's honour the legacies of Black LGBTQ trailblazers and push forward towards a future where every story is heard and every voice matters. Discover these 15 Black LGBTQ Trailblazers in The Root Magazine:   ➡ https://lnkd.in/ecKYKiHY   #RoleModels #TogetherWeCan #BlackHistoryMonth #LGBTQ #Diversity #Inclusion #RoleModels #FinancialServices #MakingHistory #LGBTGreat

As we journey through June, we are proud to celebrate both Pride Month and Juneteenth, two significant observances that remind us of the power of love, equality, and freedom. Pride Month is a time to honor the LGBTQ community, their history, struggles, and the ongoing fight for equal rights. It's a celebration of love, identity, and the vibrant diversity that enriches our world. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in 1865. It is a powerful reminder of the resilience and contributions of Black communities and the enduring quest for racial equality. At XponentL we have built an inclusive environment where everyone is celebrated for who they are. We believe that the individual voices of our employees meld into our collective strength, regardless of class, faith, gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. We play positive sum games with positive sum people. We thus strongly reject discrimination…a zero-sum power play if there ever was one. Happy Pride Month and Juneteenth! Let’s all get better together. #PrideMonth #Juneteenth #UnityInDiversity #EqualityForAll

𝐌𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐎 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 and hard*, I'm flexing my writing ✏ muscles! While I've always been confident in my speaking abilities when it comes to 🗣 communication, I'm now focused on honing my skills as a writer. My journey will involve mastering three key areas: 1️⃣ Executing the voice of The Biller Family Foundation 2️⃣ Telling compelling stories that resonate 3️⃣ Amplifying the voices of our partners, who are doing essential work Check out my latest story about "The Prom," where I explore how theatre can be a 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦. ⬇😁 *Ps. I can do hard things! Been doing that...