HENDERSON, Nev.–CU Pride, the LGBTQ+ community organization for credit unions, will host an “Educate, Inspire & Empower” virtual event on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m ET.
The event will include speaker Ashley T. Brundage, founder and president of Empowering Differences, who will share three of her 10 empowering differences to “help increase the metrics of intersectional and diverse employees in your organization and shares her journey as a transgender woman creating a path to success.”
“CU Pride exists to continue education for the credit union industry and what better way to learn than through the storytelling of someone who has lived it,” CU Pride co-founder and Element FCU CEO Linda Bodie said.
According to CU Pride, Brundage’s personal story of inclusion began when she decided to self-identify during job interview’s as a male to female transgender woman and she had to fight through discrimination and harassment to “rise above and find employment as a teller for a major U.S.-based corporation. Then through various financial roles over the next five years, Brundage earned her current position as a vice president with the National Diversity and Inclusion team.”
‘Determination & Grit’
“Not only has Ashley shown determination and grit, she uses data and metrics to present a business case as to why transgender employees positively affect the bottom line,” said Zach Christensen, CU Pride co-founder and director of communications and marketing at Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates.
CU Pride noted that GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, describes Transgender Awareness Week this week as the week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
“Although all LGBTQ+ people are vulnerable, our transgender family are even more so. Especially those who are black, indigenous or people of color,” CU Pride co-founder and Corelation conversion strategist Dan Marquez said.
CU Pride said the virtual event “welcomes everyone who wishes to learn and support our transgender family within LGBTQ+ community.”
‘No Better Time’
“There is no better time for the industry to lean in, be visible, learn, and stand up as allies of the transgender community,” said Dr. Brandi Stankovic, CU Pride co-founder and chief strategy officer with CU Solutions Group.
To register, click here.