Page 4 - BEQ Magazine Iss 19

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

To belong

PUBLISHER
Robin Dillard Now that we are more than biological or chosen, nuclear
Robin@BusinessEqualityNetwork.com
20 years into the 21st Century or extended, having an
EDITOR do we belong yet? What does understanding, loving and
Melissa Lowery belonging look like now, supportive family is like an
Melissa@BusinessEqualityNetwork.com
anyway? In case you haven’t anchor especially when times
CREATIVE DIRECTOR received your memo, I am here get rough. Matt Tinney is the
Cimon Chen to share with you that it is time founder and owner of LGBT-
for you to stand and be counted certified Windows Management
ART DIRECTOR —to be seen and heard because Experts and a self-styled ethical
Justin Ogleby you belong. leader. After two life-altering
JustinOgleby@gmail.com
Every June since 2012 I events, he is clear about
SALES start off the month thinking what it means to belong to a
Tracy Skinner about the Stonewall uprising. Specifically, I think community and what it means to belong at work.
TSkinner@BusinessEqualityNetwork.com about the brave souls who demanded to be seen Matt puts family first and people over profits.
757-932-0167
and heard that summer night in 1969 and every Louise Leanne Savia Ortega-Wright (also
WRITERS other brave being whose courage paved the way known as Savia Rocks) was born to immigrant
Ryann Brooks for progress. I am forever grateful for the people parents in London, a third culture kid navigating
Robin Dillard who live unapologetically in their truth and take distinctly different family dynamics. Savia talks
Jackie Fallis action. about the strong influence her grandmother
Javion Joyner It is easy to be distracted by the commercialism played in her life. After success in the music
Melissa Lowery and the corporate coopted rainbows on everything industry, she left singing and songwriting and
Julie A. Palm in celebration of hard-fought battles for equality. started a career in photography. Savia and her
Performative activism done to increase social wife Jessye found love through a dating app
John Sotomayor
capital and brand affinity—leveraging Queer and belonging in a new way. The couple are
magic, while remaining silent on Queer survival— partners in podcasting and in life. I was a guest
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Meryl Schenker is officially canceled. If the brands changing on the Us People Podcast earlier this year and I
their social media profile image to a rainbow or subsequently learned and loved their mission — a
Savia Rocks
creating limited edition Queer-affirming products lovely couple. London, here I come.
Shellee Fisher or supporting LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion would Thor Falk was the muse for my foray into
Photography & Design
use their political influence in state legislatures publishing back in 2012. President of Falk
Your Favorite Shots LLC around the country, then many anti-LGBT bills Research, an LGBTBE®, he provides qualitative

BEQ Pride Magazine would never be passed. and quantitative marketing insights for
Business Equality Network For me, PRIDE is about the realization that businesses. Since 2020 he has become a real estate
PO Box 211 you belong — the promise of life, liberty and the agent and started a coaching business. Because
Tenafly, NJ 07670
669-237-2329 pursuit of happiness is already yours. Our task is of Thor, I purchased a license for a diversity
Issue 19 to get busy shining a brighter light on any path magazine. Trust me, it’s a long story; let it suffice
© 2021 Business Equality
Network, LLC that works. There are many ways to belong, but to say I formally found my ally superpowers after
belonging begins within you. Our Summer 2021 one interaction with Thor in Orlando, Florida. I’m
All rights reserved .
Reproduction or use without issue is all about belonging. Precisely, when you sure he had no idea at the time but bumping into
written permission of editorial take full responsibility for creating spaces where him changed the trajectory of my life. Now Thor
or graphic content in any
manner is prohibited . you can show up fully and authentically as you, or has successfully launched the Winter Park PRIDE
when you assert your right to be seen and heard, Project and he and his team of faithful volunteers
POSTMASTER: Send address that is when you belong to you. will fill Winter Park, Florida with 1,000 Pride flags
changes to Business Equality
Network, LLC, PO Box 211, Our cover feature is about family. Whether throughout town. Thor is helping Winter Park,
Tenafly, NJ 07670
4 SUMMER 2021 BUSINESSEQUALITYMAGAZINE.COM