We are excited to again sponsor Kalamazoo Pride and celebrate our friends, family, and coworkers in the LGBTQIA+ community.
“We believe everyone should have equal rights,” said Bell’s Executive Vice President Carrie Yunker. “Everybody should have an equal opportunity. One of the most impactful things that’s been said to me in my 20 years working here was when a coworker, who identifies as lesbian, came up to me and said, ‘thank you for making a place that I can be myself.’ Our job here at Bell’s is to make sure everybody feels like that.”
Since Kalamazoo Pride began more than 15 years, we’ve supported the celebration. “It is so near and dear to, to my heart and the heart of many Bell’s coworkers and communities across Southwest Michigan,” Carrie said.
Supporting local organizations like OutFront Kalamazoo isn’t just a focus for us in June, but part of our DNA every day of the year. Rainbow tap handles at the Eccentric Café are up year-round as a visual sign to show visitors that it is a safe space to be your authentic self.
“In our history, we do what’s right and not what’s easy,” Carrie said, “and that goes for when we think about how we show up and care for our coworkers.”
Join us this weekend (June 2 and 3) for Kalamazoo Pride at Kalamazoo’s Arcadia Creek Festival Place and at the Eccentric Café for the Pride After Party on Saturday night.
We imagine a workplace that represents our global community – with many different people and cultures, where diverse ideas can thrive. Only once we have created an equitable and inclusive environment can we realize diversity worthy of true celebration. In the meantime, we strive to celebrate the individual experiences and identities that bring a broad range of perspective to Bell’s — creating exceptional experiences for both our employees and the communities we touch. Our work in equity and inclusion involves action that inspires the engagement and empowerment of a diverse workforce and community. This is an ongoing process, and we commit to that work. Every day. Learn more about how Bell’s is Open to All.
