Page 18 - BEQ Magazine Iss 20 Fall 2021 WebRev09272021

ANNOUNCING THE 2021 BUSINESS

EQUALITY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Congratulations to the 2021 Recipients

By BEQ PRIDE EDITORIAL TEAM
The Business Equality Network announces our around the world.
sixth annual Business Equality Excellence Award. But, it doesn’t end there. Our journey to full
The Business Equality Network and the BEQ Pride LGBTQ equality will not be successful without spe-
editorial team are committed to the development cifically addressing the economic disparities and
and success of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender systemic disenfranchisement faced by so many in
and queer business community. We place special the LGBTQ community. Our engine of economic
emphasis and acknowledge support for organiza- prosperity is in danger of running out of fuel. The
tions and major employers that have made diverse solution is full engagement with the diverse busi-
and inclusive workplace, multicultural engagement ness community, including those in the LGBTQ
and supply chain diversity not just a matter of policy, community.
but a matter of practice. When it comes to business equality and access to
Once a year, we honor organizations that are fos- equity, so much depends on how we engage people.
tering economic stability in the LGBTQ community Enabling the benefits of Belonging through inclusive
through the fair treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ sourcing — finding new routes to talent, new routes
employees, suppliers, consumers and partners in to market and, most importantly, the discovery of
business. These organizations are recognized for new markets — is the key to truly unlocking the
their demonstrated practice of Business Equality promise of Diversity and Inclusion.
Excellence. By 2045, the minority U.S. population will be the
The Business Equality Excellence program allows majority and the need to realize the true benefits of
us to bring attention to the need to align excellence Diversity means we must address Inclusion and Belong-
in the workplace (based on the HRC’s Corporate ing now. More than a seat at the table, the diverse
Equality Index), marketplace (media and market business community wants inclusion and belonging to
presence showing LGBTQ engagement), supply enable access to equity — a piece of the pie.
chain (corporate partnership with NGLCC and The injection of new ideas, different voices and
membership in the Billion Dollar Roundtable) and perspectives and the creation of safe spaces that
philanthropy (engaging LGBTQ issues and charitable don’t sacrifice sacred spaces and dedicated spaces
causes through monetary support). The program is means we will have the ability to truly benefit from
about clearly identifying the business community the Fourth Industrial Revolution — 4IR.
and industry leaders supporting full equality for the The technological advances promised by 4IR and
LGBTQ community through business and economic Industry 4.0 are only as good as the people behind
inclusion. them. Laws, regulations, policies and practices are
Our 2021 list of 220 major corporations, employ- intended to address structural or systemic inequal-
ers and sports organizations have demonstrated ities, especially in business — but, they only get us
their comprehensive commitment to LGBTQ equal- part way on our journey. People change hearts and
ity. Simply put, our awardees routinely deliver an minds, and people decide when and where to extend
unmistakable message that the country and each opportunity and access because it makes sense —
state where they are headquartered cannot ignore business sense.
— diversity and inclusion matter. Their increased BEQ is dedicated to bridging the gap between
visible, vocal and financial commitment to equality efforts in the name of diversity, equality, inclusion
in the workforce, workplace, marketplace and supply and belonging and the need for equity — a chance to
chain of their respective organizations contributes create and access a new pie for the diverse business
to the economic climate locally, nationally and community.
18 FALL 2021 BUSINESSEQUALITYMAGAZINE.COM