Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Leadership
Last week, Loblaw Companies Limited announced their Community Investment Grant Recipients. Alongside other four social equity organizations (Black Business and Professional Association, Canadian Women’s Foundation, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business), Pride at Work Canada/Fierté au travail Canada will receive $50,000 a year for four years starting in 2024 to support our 2SLGBTQIA+ Leadership Development Programs. All grant recipients were selected with input from volunteers at each of Loblaw’s four DEI-related employee resource groups (ERGs), and we have been working closely with their Proud ERG to advance opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
When we started our journey in 2008, we knew that the primary goal for our sustainability would be the engagement of 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, Human Resources and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professionals, thought leaders, and employers. Pride at Work Canada can only advance and continue transforming workplace realities with our partners and network’s commitment and perseverance. There are different ways that an organization can engage with us, and becoming a Proud Partner is the most common one.
Pride at Work Canada guides its partners’ DEI journeys to create safer spaces and policies to celebrate their Two-Spirit, queer and trans employees. Being our partner allows all employers and employees to access our benefits, programming, member services, and consultation. Over the years, Pride at Work Canada has welcomed sponsorship and grants to support directly some of our programs, events, research projects, and initiatives. We keep delivering our top-notch content in several formats because of that support, like the most recent one from Loblaw as part of its commitment to advance social equity.
“We are excited to partner with Loblaw and are grateful for their investment into our cause. Our work empowers employers to build workplaces that celebrate all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Loblaw’s grant will support two programs: 1) THRIVE, which is designed to develop the next generation of Two-Spirit, queer and trans people managers and leaders, and 2) FLOURISH, which develops the skills required for 2SLGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders to be effective and successful in their roles. We appreciate this inspiring grant and are excited to see its impact on alleviating specific challenges that 2SLGBTQIA+ community members face in Canadian workplaces.”
Jose Patiño-Gomez
Director of External Relations
Pride at Work Canada
THRIVE
THRIVE is our Virtual Leadership Program that develops the next generation of Two-Spirit, queer and trans people managers. Participants get exclusive access to queer and trans leaders working at the highest levels of Canadian business and engage in important peer-to-peer discussions. The program is designed to support 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders and professionals in a position of management or on a management track within medium-to-large Canadian employers.
FLOURISH
FLOURISH is our Virtual ERG Leader Development Program that develops the skills required for 2SLGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders to be effective and successful in their roles. Those who lead 2SLGBTQIA+ ERGs have an enormous opportunity to create change for Two-Spirit, queer and trans employees as they also face very specific challenges in Canadian workplaces. The program is also open to other ERGs due to the intersectionality of providing peer support for any equity-deserving group.
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Sponsorship opportunities can showcase your commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in your network and have your leaders be part of an exclusive program by Pride at Work Canada. Contact Sandeep Nair (he/they), Manager of Business Development, at sandeep.nair@prideatwork.ca and discover our Sponsorship opportunities for your organization.