Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Odgers Berndtson Celebrates Pride Month 2023
Our Unlimited Allies group led the celebration and education of all matters related to LGBTQ+ communities.
June saw the Odgers Berndtson group of companies celebrating Pride Month. Over the years we have delivered a range of educational, celebratory and participatory events for colleagues to demonstrate meaningful allyship to LGBTQ+ communities, to understand the history of Pride and crucially, why it is still so important.
'Pride washing' is something that we are all critically aware of so we were conscious that organising and celebrating Pride must not solely fall to LGBTQ+ communities; it is everyone’s responsibility to embrace the movement and empower it.
Building on all that we have delivered so far, 2023 saw a range of activities taking place. The LGBTQ+ strand of our Allies movement hosted three distinct opportunities for colleagues to be involved. The first was a themed afternoon tea which was held in both our London and Birmingham offices. This provided an informal opportunity for individuals to take time out of their busy schedules to network internally with Pride related refreshments and decorations. It was gratifying to see so many people come along and to hear the discussions that ensued.
The second was our internal Book Club, where a facilitated discussion was had relating to “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” and its themes of sexuality, femininity and power. Finally was a discussion and Q&A with the award-winning Samantha Nelson. Sam is a trans woman who reflects on her story very openly and honestly. She created a safe space for everyone to hear about her journey and indeed the important work that she does championing inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights. She focused particularly on the importance of allyship and offered practical examples of how we can all understand and support our colleagues.
Within our firm, we recognise that DE&I is a journey that we are all on and can never be complacent about having reached a destination.
The input of our Allies movement is totally organic and driven by people’s passion for the subject matter. The ongoing programme of interventions, education and celebration that they create is a significant element of the fabric of our organisation and we look forward to embracing more and more throughout the year and beyond.
To learn more about our commitment to Inclusion & Diversity at Odgers Berndston, click here.