Page 5 - BEQ Magazine Iss 23 FINAL v3

EDITOR’S NOTE BEQ PRIDE
Reimagining Future Equity ADVISORY
BOARD

By KJ WARD
To me, to “reimagine future geolocation, and the other (along
equity” has less to do with our with clear and necessary digital
understanding of the end game of features) offers a nostalgic nod to
equity and more to do with taking an analog past. LYNN
stock of our approach to equity. NASA’s LGBTQ Partnerships C . REYES
Reimagining starts with a look at takes us into the “final frontier” Business Value Artisan
IBM Corporation
how much the traditional strategies with the message that when it
have moved the needle toward comes to equitable access and
equitable access and equitable opportunity, not even the sky is
opportunity and then considers the the limit. This article is a lesson
ways we might scale existing strate- in both the power of diversity
gies or implement newer ones. to innovate and the necessity of
Sometimes it’s a matter of lever- creativity in accessing diversity as
aging a technology that simply didn’t exist in our definition of it expands. ROBIN
PULFORD
the last go-round. At other times it’s a matter of In Social Enterprise we are inspired to Supplier Diversity
exploring places we never thought to look before. reimagine the historical chasm between commer- Manager
No matter the answer, the question is about cial enterprises on one side and social-services American Airline
(Retired)
which levers we can pull to get to LGBTQ equity. organizations on the other. Closing the gap can
Just as important is getting to equity equitably help nonprofit organizations more fully build out
– understanding the immense intersectionality their service portfolios, diversify their revenue,
of the LGBTQ community and the disparities and connect to their communities in new ways.
within the community. In this issue of BEQ Pride Finally, we get a reminder that while innova-
Magazine, our articles dive into several new ways tions and inspirations from nonprofits, entrepre-
of “reimagining” approaches to equity. neurs, and government agencies are invaluable
In Everywhere is Queer and SHE Mark instruments of equity, legislating an equal play- MICHAEL K .
ROBINSON
we’ll look at how technology is enabling a ing field is still a necessary fight. Having the law
Program Director,
digital reimagining of equity with visibility and on your side is a key enabler. The call to action in Supplier Diversity
transparency at its core. For me, the initiatives Equality Act and Active Accomplices describes the IBM Corporation
(Retired)
driving these articles speak to two things. First, importance of a bill before Congress right now
they describe what is possible when consumers and rallies all who would seek justice to do their
have simple yet powerful information at their part to ensure its passage.
fingertips – sometimes this information affords We hope your Pride celebrations were festive
consumers an opportunity to be more intentional and motivating, and we hope you enjoy this issue
about how they spend their money; sometimes of BEQ Pride Magazine!
it quite literally allows them to make choices JOY
WONG
that will keep them safe. Second, these articles Corporate Vice
speak to the power of historically-marginalized President, Supplier
businesses finally finding platforms to amplify Diversity/Procurement
New York Life
the greatness of the products they offer or the
services they deliver. One harnesses the power of

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