Summary of B-Stock’s Employee Resource Group (ERG)

B-Stock launched an Employee Resource Group (ERG) in 2022 as part of its company-wide DEI initiative. ERGs are employee-driven, voluntary groups that unite people as members and allies of a shared community to foster a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

Since launching the program, B-Stock has launched four ERGs based on employee polls and feedback. Each ERG has two or more co-chairs who develop programming consistent with the group’s mission and goals, provide resources to members, and work with executive-level sponsors to ensure alignment of the company’s goals. Executive sponsors are essential advocates for ERGs within their organizations.

Learn about B-Stock’s ERGs and hear from each group’s co-chairs!

B-Pride

B-Pride is the first ERG released by B-Stock. B-Pride ERG serves as a network and resource for the LGBTQ+ community, including allies. At B-Stock, we aim to create a culture that is welcoming, accepting and inclusive of all people.

B-Pride regularly hosts monthly coffee chats, organizes volunteer challenges, art workshops, film screenings, and most notably sponsored Orlando’s Come Out With Pride event in 2023 and 2024.

Chairs: Anna Slayton, Andrea Vargas, Elliot Miller
Establishment date: June 2022

A word from the B-Pride Co-Chairs:

“My favorite program at B-Pride is our annual volunteer challenge in celebration of National Volunteer Month. “The support of our employees who volunteer their time for causes they care about and B-Stock’s support of donating their volunteer time to Pride-focused organizations is truly amazing.”

-Anna Slayton, Co-Chairman

“Being the co-chair of B-Pride has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I want people to know that there is such a thing. always A community for you – Sometimes you just have to raise your hand. It doesn’t take long to watch it grow before your eyes.”

-Andrea Vargas, Co-Chairman

“One of my favorite events I hosted for B-Pride ERG was the Trans Joy Letter Writing Campaign during the Community Engagement Volunteer Challenge. “Now, for two summers in a row, we have been able to write letters with messages of love, support and hope that we hope will be included in care packages for people in Orlando’s transgender community.”

-Elliot Miller, Co-Chairman

B-IPOC

The B-IPOC ERG provides a support network for people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) here at B-Stock. B-IPOC fosters discussion (and advocacy) on issues affecting BIPOC communities and promotes cultural awareness and connection.

B-IPOC has hosted film screenings and cooking classes, organized Juneteenth and Black History Month programs, and sponsored members to attend leadership conferences such as AfroTech and Women of Power.

Chairs: Brandon Jackson and Ashonte Threadgill
Establishment date: November 2022

Remarks from the B-IPOC Co-Chairs:

“I would say one of my proudest moments as co-chair of the BIPOC ERG has been the growth of the AAPI ERG and the spinoff of additional ERGs from BIPOC along with the growth we are beginning to see. It was great to see the Hispanic/Latino This means that the focus and growth on diversity within B-Stock continues to evolve and take shape.

Over the past two years I’ve been with the company, we’ve put together an action-packed month of programming for Black History Month, and we’ve also provided informational takeaways for employees to share with their families and friends, so we’re not just teaching. . “We are also teaching our employees about their communities.”

-Ashonte Threadgill, Co-Chairman

bewit

The Women In Technology (B-WIT) ERG provides a support network for women, those who identify as women, and female champions in B-Stock. B-WIT is committed to building a community of individuals who strive to grow professionally and personally while connecting us.

B-WIT organizes featured speakers covering topics such as work-life balance, and the group also sponsors a local roller derby team in Syracuse, NY! The group also organizes programs for heritage months, including Women’s History Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Chairs: Michele Podesta and Bonnie Page
Establishment date: March 2024

Here’s what the B-WIT co-chairs say:

“B-WIT is so inspired by the quality conversations and the women and men who show up to contribute to our group. We look forward to including their ideas and talents in the coming year as we start off as a more established organization!”

-Bonnie Page, Co-Chairman

B-AAPI

The newest ERG is B-AAPI! This ERG provides a support network for those who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander on B-Stock. It aims to empower and celebrate these diverse cultures and often hosts cultural events and educational forums.

To celebrate Lunar New Year, AAPI ERG organized an in-person lunch celebration throughout the B-Stock offices with festive staples like mooncakes! In fact, ERG hosted a special edition quiz to find out what the Lunar New Year is and how it is celebrated around the world.

Chairman: Mark Ma, Swara Gandhi
Establishment date: June 2024

Here’s what the B-AAPI co-chairs say:

“By celebrating who we are and where we come from, we inspire change, promote understanding and build bridges between cultures.”

-Swara Gandhi

“Despite their busy schedules, many of my colleagues volunteered to host the event, which was one of my greatest moments as co-leader of the B-AAPI ERG. They went above and beyond to connect with their audience and make it interactive. It’s much better than hosting it myself. It was rewarding to see people connecting and having fun. “I hope that more volunteers will come forward and make these moments happen more often in the future.”

-Mark Ma, Co-Chairman

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We hope you enjoyed reading about the ERG program and its four different groups! Hopefully, this is the first of many more! If you have any questions regarding the ERG program, please contact: (email protected).