As we enter into June, Pride month reminds us to take a step forward in fostering and celebrating the freedom of showing up as our true and most authentic self–whether it’s at home with family or getting stuff done with friends and in the workplace.
It reminds us of the opportunities we have to create joy through acceptance, of advancing equity, and to tip our hats to the inspiring accomplishments of our LGBTQ+ peers (of which there are thousands).
It also reminds us of the allyship opportunities we have to help with the ever-growing needs of our diverse community both locally and globally.
What Does it Mean to Celebrate Pride?
Pride /prīd/ – A celebration of visibility, justifiable self-respect, and personal celebrations of self-worth and dignity
All businesses, large and small should be proud of their own teams and continuously celebrate what makes us all so unique and special. Stax is no different, and it is a belief that we have held together as a team since our founding years.
Happy Pride from all of us at Stax! We encourage all businesses, large and small, to be as proud of their teams as we are and to celebrate what makes us all so unique and special — this month and every month!#Pride #Orgullo #LoveIsLove #WeBelong pic.twitter.com/c8UP7TnTDS
— Stax (@staxpayments) June 1, 2022
Together as a deeply-inclusive community, we strongly believe in celebrating everyone’s ability to be…
Celebrate Being Bold
“For me, it means finally having the opportunity to show up as you are, and to be surrounded by people who welcome and accept you in your entirety. ”
In today’s world: laws and society, culture and religion, family and friends all try to tell you who they think you should be. It seems like we’re all raised with these limitations, most of which stem from fear.
But Stax reminds us that the only limits are the ones we set upon ourselves. You are empowered to choose who you want to be.
Celebrating Pride at Stax reminds us all (gay, straight, and everything in-between) that we are limitless.
Jonathan Morales
Senior Payment Consultant
Celebrate Being Dynamic
“Never [shy] away from, but [align] with the LGBTQ+ community to say we are here, and that we love and support you.”
Stax is a dynamic representation of what can come from an idea, and a leader like Suneera, who has the passion to pursue a solution to a problem.
Suneera is a dynamic leader juggling two children, marriage, two companies, and a personal life. Her leadership permeates throughout , both in its impact in fintech and the business world.
The way Stax has approached Pride, and all that it represents, is dynamic in nature by not only supporting, but hiring, promoting, and celebrating the community.
Every layer of our organization has been carefully considered in the promotion of acceptance to our community and abroad. Never shying away from, but aligning with the LGBTQ+ community to say we are here, and that we love and support you.
Adam Chong
Associate Director, Sales
Celebrate Being Accepting
“Acceptance is something that should be practiced every day. When someone feels accepted within a group, team, or organization, it’s always less fearful and a whole lot more welcoming.”
Acceptance is a primary source of happiness to me and it’s something that should be practiced every day.
When someone feels accepted within a group, team, or organization, it’s always less fearful and a whole lot more welcoming.
The unfortunate fact is that not everyone in the world has the same mindset when it comes to accepting people for who they are, however, that shouldn’t be considered the norm.
Working for a company that supports LGBTQ+ people is so remarkable and makes me beyond excited to start each and every day.
It just reinforces that everyone is a human being and it allows everyone the freedom to be themselves, and still get stuff done an incredibly accepting environment.
Naji Inman
Sales Development Representative
Celebrate Being Caring
“To be caring, you show love, kindness, empathy, but on the human level being fully present…Every person has a story unique to them. When you care, you acknowledge that story.”
Pride is the authentic celebration of one’s self. It gives me the strength to own my identity, and freely be who I am.
It means celebrating our right to equality and celebrating the journey the community as a whole has gone through. It is the antidote of shame.
Caring allows you to see how another person is experiencing life. To be caring, you show love, kindness, and empathy, but on the human level being fully present. It’s paying attention to the details.
Every person has a story unique to them.
When you care, you acknowledge that story.
Shannon McEvoy
Customer Support I
Celebrate Being Inclusive
“Every single person has made me feel like it’s ok to be myself and be proud of my relationship…that I am, indeed, normal, and there’s nothing wrong with being in a same-sex marriage.”
It’s always hard working somewhere new, and even harder when you’re considered “different” or “out of the norm”.
When meeting new people, I never know how they’ll react when I say “my wife and I” or “my partner Brittany” and it’s sent me down a shame spiral in the past.
The way I feel working at Stax is the way everyone should feel when walking down the street holding the hand of their partner, or sneaking in a little kiss while out in public. Even if the unfortunate truth is that acceptance will always have to come from the inside because there will always be some amount of judgment from the outside world.
I can honestly say that I haven’t ONCE felt that way while working at Stax. Every single person has made me feel like it’s ok to be myself and be proud of my relationship…that I am, indeed, normal, and there’s nothing wrong with being in a same-sex marriage.
April Erb
Social Content and Community Manager
Celebrate Being Open-Minded
“An open-minded individual will embrace and cherish the differences between two humans, aligning them for their sameness.”
I feel the phrase “open-minded” resonates with me and embodies the culture at Stax due to the simple definition it has – the willingness to consider new ideas and do so in an unbiased fashion.
A mind and perspective with no limits, no definitions, no parameters to exclude any ideas brought forward.
An open-minded individual will embrace and cherish the differences between two humans, aligning them for their sameness.
Open-mindedness is the equality to open ears and an open heart.
The simple ability to treasure listening to what others are willing to share and celebrating even the most minuscule of victories.
The culture at Stax only pushes personal boundaries because it exudes a welcome like no other, giving you the opportunity to explore your open mind and work in an environment that is so exceptionally crafted around those who are accepting.
Love always wins with an open mind.
Ashley Fey
Payment Consultant
Celebrate Being Brave
“We don’t choose who we are. But some of us have the bravery to choose to live as who we are.”
I’m not brave, my kid is BRAVE. If I’m honest, I’m a little scared. But not Mi.
Every day they walk out into the world full of bravery.
Being brave enough to tell me what they like. Being brave enough to tell me who they are. Being brave enough at a young age to start transitioning. Being brave enough to live authentically.
We don’t choose who we are. But some of us have the bravery to choose to live as who we are. Being brave has created a happy and authentic life for my kid and I couldn’t be more proud.
It’s one thing to work for a company where you and your family feel accepted, it’s a completely different feeling when you are celebrated!
When Suneera says she is creating a space at the table for everyone, I absolutely believe her!
Deanne Perry
Partner Success Specialist
Celebrate Pride Year Round
The beautiful thing about being Pride-ful is that it is 24/7, 365 days a year. That means that there is no shortage of ways to foster, promote, and encourage diversity in all its forms.
Here are just a quick few:
Give back to local and regional organizations and causes as part of your regular philanthropy. Initiatives can look like participating in the One Orlando Alliance’s #ActLoveGive, being present (and volunteering) for local Parades and events, and even shopping at and uplifting queer-owned businesses.
Go deeper with a year-round company plan for LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion. This includes establishing inclusive policies for every current and future employee to ensure the meeting of their needs regardless of race, sexuality, or gender.
Be a catalyst and show what making a difference looks like in action. To speak in honesty is to be courageous, so create space for authentic conversations and be the first to meet people where they are.
Build a Culture of Belonging
Stax is proud to embrace a true culture of belonging and thrives on the unique perspectives each individual brings to the table.
We believe that everyone regardless of their background, culture, sexual orientation, or gender identity, should have a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment that accepts them for who they are.
By fostering an equitable, openly diverse workplace culture in alignment with our Stax values, our team members are truly able to thrive.
Not just at the company, but in the world as the individuals they are really meant to be.
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