This past June, MikMak’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee organized a company-wide “Lunch & Learn” to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month. As part of this event, Mark Anthony Edmonson, Chief Brand Officer of Materne North America, GoGo squeeZ, joined Rachel Tipograph, MikMak Founder and CEO, to discuss celebrating LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance in the workplace.
Allowing employees to be their authentic selves results in a happy work environment
Rachel recounts with Mark their conversation on a recent episode of The BRAVE COMMERCE Podcast, where Mark shares the details of his coming out story. Mark shared that he first came out to his mother, and she expressed concern for his safety as a black gay man. Her asking about his safety and not condemning him made him feel more confident and comfortable.
For years in the workplace, Mark grappled with the fear of judgment, the pressure of societal norms, and the risk that coming out could negatively impact his career. He shared that at a previous job, he had gone ten years without telling anyone except for HR. Eventually, he came out to his coworkers and enjoyed the liberation of being his authentic self at work. Mark reflected that he wished he had leaned on workplace mentors earlier in his career.
Throughout the conversation, Mark stresses the value of education and understanding in corporate America, particularly regarding the LGBTQ+ community. His experiences shed light on the struggles faced by many LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace, such as misunderstanding, lack of representation, and the need for more inclusive practices.
Education and understanding is critical for a global, holistic understanding of your business
Mark highlights just how far the United States has come regarding LGBTQ+ inclusion over a relatively short time, and the differences between the US landscape to those of other countries. Mark’s intersectional identity as a Black gay man based in the United States gives him a unique perspective on recent and historical events, including segregation and the Black Lives Matter movement. He recognizes that some of his colleagues, particularly those outside of the US, may not understand the magnitude of these events. Working for global companies has helped to give Mark a broader perspective of the landscape.
He explains that brands (actually all companies) need to practice what they preach when it comes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the education and branding around these topics. “You can’t opt out of something that is part of your balance and purpose,” Mark shares with Rachel and the MikMak team, “You actually have to opt in even stronger.”
Celebrating diversity is a year-long responsibility, not just during Pride Month
According to eMarketer, 16 percent of Gen Z and 15 percent of Millennials openly identify as LGBTQ+. As these generations continue to age into the workforce and grow as consumers, it’s a significant time for Corporate America to recognize and be inclusive of the full spectrum of identities in this community, as well as those from different ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds.
Mark explains that brand and retailer loyalty is often affected by how these corporations respond to the geopolitical landscape and embrace DEI on a public and corporate level. Mark mentions that the brand he works for, GoGo squeeZ, released a general Pride message. Despite some backlash, the company felt it necessary to keep the message up and take a stand to put the company in the best position to grow through being authentic.
Mark's vision extends beyond just the corporate setting. He envisions a future where LGBTQ+ representation is not confined to a single month or superficial marketing campaigns. Instead, it should be ingrained in the fabric of organizations, shaping policies, values, and behaviors year-round. He believes that this approach will lead to a more genuine and long-lasting impact on individuals and society as a whole. Companies and individuals are responsible for making this change in the world, by participating in their communities and being active voices and advocates for progress.
To close the discussion, Mark shared thoughts in a discussion with MikMak employees about ways they can be advocates, mentors, and allies to their colleagues, and the importance this active engagement has in both corporate and interpersonal relationships. To learn more about Mark’s perspective, listen to his recent episode on the BRAVE COMMERCE Podcast, available now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
