Exchange PRIDE, Allies Celebrate Inclusion at Dallas Pride Festival and Parade

Special emphasis program Exchange PRIDE (People Respecting Individuality, Diversity & Equality) and allies celebrated the Exchange’s culture of diversity and inclusion at the Dallas Pride Festival and Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade.

The Dallas PRIDE festival kicked off June 1 with the Exchange proudly displaying a variety of Exchange-branded items and collaborative food-branded items to hand out as they met and greeted PRIDE festival participants. Exchange associates volunteered to work the booth and greeted military members, Veterans, family and friends of Veterans and participants interested in finding out more about the Exchange while discussing Veterans’ shopping privileges, ApplyMyExchange.com opportunities, the MILITARY STAR card program and other benefits.

The Exchange also participated in the Dallas PRIDE parade on June 2 with the largest turnout yet of Exchange associates, family and friends joining the walk through Dallas’ Fair Park to celebrate the Exchange PRIDE. EVP/Chief Operating Officer and BRIDGE (Building Resources in Diversity Growth of Employees)’s co-executive champion, Marla Randolph, joined EVP/Chief Human Resources Officer and PRIDE’s executive champion, Dr. Patrick Oldenburgh Jr., in a show of support for the Exchange and the PRIDE special emphasis program.

Others supporting PRIDE at the parade included Vice President of Services Operations and BRIDGE co-executive champion, Denise Hunter; Vice President of Audit, Susan Eaton; COO Executive Officer, Sandra Reed; Associate EEO & DI Officer Anna Jeffries; Chief of Food Support and PRIDE Program Manager, Craig Masek; and Audit Program Manager and PRIDE Program manager, Roger Hugh.

Additional assistant program managers who helped make the event a success included Senior Talent Manager Brian Lautieri and Restaurant Program Specialist Patrick (Brian) Newman. An Exchange truck with a PRIDE trailer wrap, driven by Waco Distribution Center Motor Vehicle Operator Bruce Cameron, was also part of the parade along with golf cart driver MVO Foreman Cody Lane.

“It’s heartening to see this level of support for an event that is key to PRIDE and to Exchange outreach,” Oldenburgh said. “The Dallas Pride Festival and parade are fun events, but they also show our associates’ passion for diversity and provide an opportunity to spread the message about Exchange initiatives.”

To view a Flickr album of photos from the parade, go here.