Nationwide Building Society’s Post

Pride month is upon us and I would like to take a moment to address my thoughts of celebrating Pride this year. A year of violent conflicts, another year of nationalism on the rise all over the world and yet another year of segregation. For me Pride month matters as it highlights the existence and struggle of the LGBTQIA community around the globe. Some of us are privileged, some are not but we exist in all contexts and places. I am one of the privileged ones, I’m a white male in a fairly progressive country. That doesn’t mean that I’m fat and happy. I try to stay aware of my privilege and use my voice for the less privileged. 🌈 In an LGBTQIA context: as someone not struggling. 🌍 In a humanitarian context: as a westerner who lives a good life but knows what it’s like not feeling safe in all situations, what it feels like to be questioned and having to defend ones person. To gain the LGBTQIA communities trust in conflicts around the world we are often told what happens to people like us in other countries. And while that is horrible we do not want people to be murdered in our name or to protect us. We don’t want people to die for us to be accepted, that would make us terrorists. We just want to be accepted, plain and simple. You don’t need to love us, we don’t need to love you but we need to be able to coexist in a world of mutual respect but not necessarily in agreement. The world is diverse and it needs to be diverse. We are all human faced with the task of trying to save this planet from what we brought onto it. And that requires collaboration, coexistence and respect. An understanding of privilege and what is required from the privileged in order to help less fortunate groups around the world who often find them selves in that position due to our privilege. So to finish this post: My wish for this pride month is for acceptance and respect for everyone. Let's put our disagreements to the side and face the fact that we need to coexist to be able to move forward.

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As we commemorate Pride Month and Juneteenth, I am reminded of the ongoing journey towards equality, freedom, and dignity for everyone. Pride Month is a time to honor the LGBTQIA community’s resilience and the strides made towards achieving equal rights. It’s a celebration of love, identity, and the courage to be oneself in the face of adversity. Juneteenth, marks a pivotal moment in American history—the end of slavery. It’s a day to reflect on the struggles for racial equality and to recommit to building a future where everyone can thrive without discrimination. Both Pride Month and Juneteenth embody the spirit of liberation and the importance of standing up for what is right. They raise our level of awarness about the importance of LGBTQIA rights and the historical significance of Juneteenth. They remind us to be vigilant and proactive in recognizing the value of every individual. On my team, we have a saying - "Do the right thing" ...and doing the right thing means standing up for human rights, advocating for social justice, and ensuring our daily practices align with these values. To the African-American, Black, Native and Indigenous people in my life - know that you are seen, celebrated, and affirmed for simply existing. Your contributions to society are absolutely necessary. Equality is the minimum and equity is on the horizon. Stand fast in your value, in your dignity, and in the greatness that you are. To the LGBTQIA folks in my life - let's celebrate this month! Celebrate our visibility and acceptance, knowing that visibility in and of itself is a privilege. To my LinkedIn connections - let’s continue to do the right thing. To build cultures that celebrate diversity, champions freedom, and strives for a better future for everyone. Remember, if you truly believe in something, you can – and will – affect the outcome. #PrideMonth #Juneteenth #ISMs #Culture #ImpactTheOutcome

Brown & Brown Insurance's Teammate Resource Groups – or TRGs – seek to positively impact the broader Brown & Brown organization by exploring new connections, engaging in the culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and empowering members to help drive better business outcomes for all teammates. There are currently five active TRGs, each with its own unique mission seeking to support the broader purpose across the organization: Black Excellence, LGBTQ , Mental Health, The Power of She, and Veterans.⁠   In honor of BIPOC Mental Health Month, we are shining a spotlight on the Black Excellence TRG.   The mission of the Black Excellence TRG is to challenge the status quo, take action, and make a difference for Black and African American teammates at Brown & Brown. Seeking to build a supportive and affirming atmosphere, Black Excellence aims to increase enterprise-wide representation for Black and African American teammates.   To focus their efforts, the Black Excellence TRG established three pillars on which to base their work:   Education and Engagement: Provide education and resources on Allyship and increase overall connectivity of Black Excellence members;   Professional Development: Establish a forum for career conversations, workshops, and visibility of Black and African American talent within the enterprise; and,   Recruitment: Develop and provide enterprise-wide Black and African American recruiting resources.   #BlackExcellence #ThePowerToBeYourself #BBThePowerOfWE #BIPOCMentalHealthMonth

This Black History Month, as we celebrate the achievements and resilience of Black individuals and communities across America and Canada, I find myself reflecting on the unique intersection of my identity as a Black woman, an autistic individual, and a motivational speaker. I stand at the crossroads of multiple dimensions of diversity, championing not just the cause of racial equality but also the acceptance and support of neurodiversity within our communities. Being Black comes with its own set of challenges, yet being Black and autistic, or Black and LGBTQ , introduces a complexity that often goes unrecognized. It’s a reminder that our fight for equality must be inclusive, embracing all facets of identity. As a motivational speaker, I draw upon my personal journey to empower others. My message is one of perseverance, vision, and the power of dreams. Like Martin Luther King Jr., I too have a dream. It’s a vision that plays over in my mind like a cinematic masterpiece, a future where my children and my community thrive, unencumbered by the judgments of society. My “power base,” as many have inquired, stems from my ‘why’—a deep connection to this vision. It’s what motivates me to bridge the gap between where we are and where we aspire to be. Inspired by the words of Napoleon Hill, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve,” I advocate for the power of belief and vision in overcoming obstacles. This month, let us not only celebrate the richness of Black history but also commit to supporting all members of our community, including those who are neurodiverse. Let’s challenge the stigma, embrace our differences, and work together towards a future where every dream has the space to flourish. As I continue to navigate my path as a Black, autistic woman raising two beautiful boys with autism, I am reminded of the strength that lies within our stories. They are not tales of sorrow but of immense strength, resilience, and hope. My dream is not just for me but for all of us—to live in a world where our children can dream without limits. This Black History Month, let’s celebrate every part of our identity and support each other in our journeys. Because when we lift each other up, we all rise. #BlackHistoryMonth #Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #Empowerment #Dreams #Vision #MotivationalSpeaking

Is your organization broken? 🚫 Is your organization's origin story clear and well-understood? 🚫 Does your organization clearly understand when its mission will be considered complete? 🚫 Is there a transition plan in place for when the mission is accomplished? 🚫 How effectively is stakeholder feedback received and implemented? 🚫 Is there a clear and effective growth plan for the organization? If you answer NO to any of these questions...Consider this... What if every aspect of your life was nurtured and your professional efforts were recognized as a force for change? As an expert in repairing broken organizations, I'd love to delve into these questions with you. ✅ I've raised over $900,000 for Black LGBTQ grassroots caregivers, artists, and organizers, impacting over 40 entities across four countries. My unique approach fuses Black-Indigenous transformation techniques, Ivy League research, and contemporary strategic planning. ✅ My network extends to professionals in various fields, including financial veterans, program evaluators, and AI and Data Science experts. I've been recognized by notable figures such as Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, for my transformative work. ✅ I envision cultivating a $5 Trillion Global Regenerative Reparations Economy, nurturing and growing caregivers by offering services such as Global Stewardship Training and Organizational DNA Repair. ✅ We can instigate Organizational DNA Repair to make your workdays easier. If this email touched you, please schedule a call with me to start our work together: https://lnkd.in/dCh6cE6T

Although I am in the early years of my professional career, I cannot express enough gratitude to work at such an amazing, inclusive, and open-minded place like About Fresh. I cannot imagine working at a more inclusive workplace, filled with allies and big colorful hearts. I am feeling extra filled with pride during this pride month, as my partner Steph and I celebrate another year out & proud in our personal and professional lives. While many people are not as fortunate as I am in this area, I hope people take moments this month to reflect and think about how they can be more inclusive or more of an active ally to all people in the LGBTQIA (and beyond!) community. Here are some ways to become a stronger ally:  1. Educate yourself - find out the history and current struggles of people in this community  2. Don’t assume you know what someone needs - you know what they say about assuming! 3. Practice active listening - try to digest the information before creating a response  4. Ditch putting people into boxes - boxes are out, and spectrums are in! 5. Recognize your privilege - use that power for GOOD!

🌈 June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and love! Check out this article to learn more about the history and significance of Pride.