As peaceful protests continue throughout the nation and the world to bring attention to the cause of eradicating racial injustice, the world’s LGBTQ community has an opportunity to celebrate Pride in a very different way this year.
This year, GSG has chosen to celebrate pride by putting the emphasis on overcoming centuries of prejudice and oppression. Just as we have all come to realize that the impacts of the global pandemic will not go away any time soon, the movement to finally dismantle racial injustice is not going away either. To learn more about how you can be an ally and take action in your own life and community, click over to Sarah Cantor’s recent post on Allyship. We all have a role to play in moving forward as a nation and as human beings.
A striking symbol for me personally, as a gay white man was the unveiling of the BLACK LIVES MATTER mural painted on S. Tryon Street in Charlotte, North Carolina right in front GSG’s Charlotte office. The powerful blend of design, artistry, color and tapestry brought home for me that we are all represented in the drive for social and racial justice.
Today, I have pride in my company, pride in my community and pride in my origins and sexuality, but the thing I am most proud of is the strength and fortitude of the black community. As we approach the celebration of emancipation, Juneteenth, next week, I am committed more than ever to supporting the cause of freedom for all peoples of the world. A world without hate is a world without prejudice. A world without prejudice is a world that matters to me.
John Henning is the Chief Client Officer at Granite Solutions Groupe. He has over 35 years of leadership experience in the financial services and technology industries, and currently oversees all client account management, professional services, marketing strategy, business development and sales operations for GSG.