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SAP is proud to be marching in the 2016 San Francisco Pride Parade, as we join thousands in celebrating the LGBT culture and community. Pride is much more than a big party, but a platform to educate the world about LGBT heritage and come together as one unit to address the greater community about the issues directly affecting the LGBT population.
This year, Pride@SAP and Black Employee Network (BEN) join forces to attract attention to the 2016 Pride theme – Racial and Economic Justice. Being the first tech company in the USA to receive a Gender Equality Certification and earning a perfect score on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index, we’ve become leaders in the diversity and inclusion space within the software and technology industry. There is no better place to celebrate diversity and inclusion than at the Pride Parade.
I recently sat down with SAP’s Chief Learning Officer, Jenny Dearborn, and Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Brian Reaves, to discuss their personal Pride experiences, the partnership between Pride@SAP and BEN, and why SAP employees, along with the local community, should support the LGBT community during Pride.
Jenny made her Pride Parade debut with SAP last year, describing it as a “historic event…for the LGBT community globally, so it was an absolute honor and privilege to be a part of it.” We spoke about the importance of SAP employees being aware of the role SAP plays in regards to the overall Pride initiative, and being “on the right side of history” as the gender, racial, and economic equality barriers continue to be broken down. Being aware and supporting SAP’s diversity and inclusion initiatives will set us up to be leaders in this space.
As head of BEN for SAP Silicon Valley, Brian explained that “BEN really fosters inclusiveness and awareness of the African culture, so it was only natural to align our values with Pride@SAP, to support and partner for the Pride Parade.” On coming together as a community, Brian relates that he hopes “to spread the message that a technology company like ourselves…feels very comfortable standing up for, and celebrating the LGBT community.”
In only a few short days, SAP will take its place at the Pride Parade, and we encourage you to join us for this spectacular celebration. Jenny and Brian will be attending with their families, along with the hundreds of SAP employees, gay and straight, dedicated to supporting the LGBT and Pride community. It’s not too late to register and march with SAP, and if you’re on the fence, Brian encourages all to “hop over the fence and dive into it…it’s going to be a fantastic time.”
Watch the Jenny and Brian’s full interview below and don’t forget to follow @SAPsv on social media for all our Pride Parade coverage this weekend.
