Employees at Ability Beyond celebrated Pride Month with fun and educational activities that explored the history and meaning of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives.

The pride celebration was organized by Ability Pride, the organization’s second and most recently announced employee resource group. Anthony Paradiso, A DEIB leader and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, served at the keynote speaker for the event.

“Pride to me is many different things,” Paradiso said. “I look at it beyond the LGBTQ+ community to be inclusive in a way that we can all be accepted.”

He added that from 2012 to 2021, there has been an uptick by more than seven percent of people identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community and that a recent survey shows 79 percent of adults are in favor of laws that protect the community.

However, he also noted that one-third of employees refused to apply for jobs at organizations if they didn’t feel included, and members of the community continued to earn nearly 25 percent less than the other adults.

“There is certainly a lot more work to be done,” he said, “but we also have to celebrate our accomplishments.”

Bradley Miller, the chairperson of Ability Pride, said that pride is also about making an impact, and he’s already seen the impact Ability Pride has had since its launch last fall.

“I’ve already had people come forward to say how impactful it is to have a space where they can celebrate who they are, bring their true self to work, and even learn how to support a friend or family member at home,” he said.

Those attending the celebration were also entertained by Da Brand Dance Troupe, which was created by a mother-daughter duo who wanted to create a safe space for kids of color in the Bronx to succeed using their talents.

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Ability Pride is one of two employee resource groups created to represent employees at Ability Beyond, with more to come! Learn more about our organization’s DEIB efforts today!