Celebrating Pride Month at NTT DATA: A hybrid approach to inclusion

Our company is buzzing with excitement and color this June as we come together to celebrate Pride Month. This year, we’re embracing a hybrid model of celebration, with opportunities for employees to connect, regardless of their location in the world.

I’m excited to participate in these events not only to support my LGBTQ+ colleagues, but also to continue learning how we can foster a more inclusive workplace. Allies play a vital role in demonstrating support and making sure that everyone feels comfortable being their authentic selves at work. That’s why I’m encouraging employees to participate in any way they choose, and to continue listening and learning both now and throughout the year.

Building community for LGBTQ+ employees and allies

Our hybrid approach to Pride Month welcomes all employees to join in the celebrations. We’re participating in three Pride parades in the U.S. this year, creating opportunities for employees and their families to celebrate together. We’re expanding our virtual events for employees, with Pride bingo, movie night, book club and trivia social hours in multiple time zones, including a session in Spanish for our LATAM employees. At the same time, we know showing support across a diverse globe cannot be ‘one size fits all’ so we’re making sure we provide programming that best supports the different needs of our employees in the regions where they work. All of these events not only celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, but also help to build a stronger, more connected employee community across various regions and cultures.

Year-round support

Beyond Pride Month, our PRIDE Employee Resource Group (ERG) works year-round to promote equity for our LGBTQ+ employees with programming to educate allies and build community. From sessions on supporting LGBTQ+ youth to panel discussions on intersectional allyship, these ongoing efforts ensure that support and education are not confined to just one month, but are key aspects of our organizational culture.

We’re also continually reviewing our policies and practices to best support LGBTQ+ employees and their families in all regions. This is evident through our workplace awards, as we were recently recognized for LGBTQ+ workplace equality in India, the U.S. and Mexico.

Expanding allyship

Being an ally is being open to learning. One of the ways we make LGBTQ+ allyship more accessible at NTT DATA is through our Safe Zone training program. The program promotes allyship by preparing employees to be engaged, active and visible allies of members of the LGBTQ+ community. The training not only broadened my understanding, but also equipped me with practical ways to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ people in my life, both professionally and personally.

It can be easy to be overwhelmed by the fear that you’ll do or say the wrong thing, but allyship isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it doesn’t have to be intimidating. You can still be an ally without being an expert. For me, it’s about the inclusive environment I create both in my professional life and in my personal life. There are simple ways to show you’re creating a safe space, from using gender neutral language to adding your pronouns to your email signature. That’s why I was so honored that our PRIDE ERG considered me a safe person to reach out to and share my thoughts this Pride Month.

I’m encouraging everyone to join in the celebrations this month, to learn something new and to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether it’s by participating in a virtual event, walking in a parade or simply adding your pronouns to your email signature — every little action counts.

Learn more about PRIDE at NTT DATA.