Every June, we at Dataminr celebrate Pride Month and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues for all the extraordinary contributions they have made to the company’s culture, growth and success. We also take this opportunity to recognize both their resilience and the myriad of struggles they continue to face.
It has been 53 years since the historic Stonewall Uprising, and we hold a fervent belief that it is vital for all organizations and individuals to continue to raise awareness of the issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community and advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and justice.
As part of our DEI efforts, I sat down with Wilfredo Coriano, Dataminr’s Talent Acquisition Associate and New York chapter lead of our Pride@Dataminr employee resource group (ERG), to hear how he will celebrate Pride Month this year and what we all can do to support our LGBTQIA+ employees and their communities.
Check out what Wilfredo has to say.
How do you think the Pride Month celebration will be different this year compared to previous years—especially as the New York Pride Parade will be back in person for the first time in three years?
Pride Month has always been a time of celebration, remembrance and appreciation for all the milestones we've achieved through the Gay Rights Movement—as well as the pursuit of equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. It's full of joy, colors, music, parties, creative self-expression and comradery.
Having been virtual these last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s New York Pride Parade will be one of the most vibrant celebrations yet, and our community and allies will be back in full force. It’s a homecoming of sorts, and I expect the streets of New York City to be buzzing with pageantry and fanfare.
How will you celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community this year?
I'm hoping to celebrate Pride by participating in New York City's LGBTQIA+ Pride Run. It's a 5K race held in Central Park and has been around since 1982 in support of our community and equality for all. Proceeds of the event will benefit Sylvia's Place, a homeless youth service organization for LGBTQIA+ youth in crisis.
This year's NYC Pride's theme is "Unapologetically Us." It's especially apt as multiple U.S. states have either signed or are considering anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. What consequences will this have on the LGBTQIA+ community?
I think this year's theme, Unapologetically Us, is perfect. It serves as a reminder of our fight for freedom to express and be our true, complete selves. It's no longer about being in the shadows and hiding who we are. We’re opening up to loving and living our truth by expressing our inner beauty and not having to apologize for it.
However, despite the tremendous progress that has been made, barriers still exist. We’re still battling efforts to reverse the strides made in providing safe spaces for individuals to freely be themselves. Our communities stand to lose so much from the passing of legislation seeking to erase and silence the LGBTQIA+ community. Any anti-LGBTQIA+ laws will undoubtedly have severe consequences for our community.
This is particularly true for young people. Limiting or completely prohibiting education on sexual orientation and gender identity is a huge step backwards in our fight to create a safe and healthy world for them—those who are struggling with their identity and finding the courage and acceptance to be their authentic selves. It puts their health and wellbeing at risk.
If there ever was a time to get more active in supporting your friends, family and loved ones in the community, that time is now. I urge everyone to get involved, do your research, take a stand and bring this conversation to the forefront to promote human rights and cultural competency.
What are some ways employees and leadership can be allies to their LGBTQIA+ colleagues? What can companies do to support LGBTQIA+ employees so they can be their best, authentic selves at work?
Being an LGBTQIA+ ally means believing all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect. One great way to be an ally is to learn the history, the terminology and the hardships our community faces today. I also encourage everyone—employees and employers alike—to be open-minded, listen, be inclusive and never stop working to facilitate a safe and welcoming environment for all.
One of the best things about working at Dataminr is our commitment to DEI. We have access to numerous ERGs, events, as well as mental health wellness programs and benefits. I've never worked for a company that invests so heavily in the health and wellbeing of its employees. I’m incredibly proud of the ways Dataminr genuinely celebrates our differences and individuality.
So what is the Pride@Dataminr ERG doing to celebrate this month?
The Dataminr community is celebrating Pride Month 2022 with the internal theme of Pride in Unity. Together we’ll amplify the voices of our colleagues in underrepresented groups, specifically the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. We’re excited to be involved in several events throughout the month in different ways, including:
- Hosting multiple office events for our employees, including global Spirit Week Pride karaoke celebrations, unity wellness programming and a companywide conversation on allyship and support
- Participating in the celebratory Out in Tech 2022 Pride Summit virtual event
- Sponsoring the Lesbians Who Tech Pride Summit
- Hosting an “A Seat With Us: Women in Tech- Practical Advice for Driving Business Outcomes” panel discussion, in partnership with Lesbians Who Tech, to discuss DEI best practices in tech
I’m thrilled to honor and celebrate my community this month through these Dataminr events. As we strive to foster and maintain a safe, inclusive environment for all, I hope our employees will find these programs meaningful and enjoy this special occasion to the fullest.
Interested in joining our team? Check out our open roles.
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