This year, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the 2011 Mid-South Pride Festival and Parade, an annual, multicultural and educational event in Memphis that highlights the continued need for better understanding, respect and fairness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people and their allies.  FedEx was one of several organizations having a presence including many corporations, multi-faith places of worship, and non-profits.  Supportive organizations of the event included the National Civil Rights Museum and Downtown Memphis Commission.  We proudly promoted FedEx as an employer of choice and the Safe Kids Walk This Way program, which teaches safe behaviors to motorists and child pedestrians that help create safer communities.

The highlight of the event was the parade on historic Beale Street.  The large and diverse crowd greeted us with excitement as soon as our purple FedEx Cares tees, large balloons and FedEx vehicle became visible.  We struggled, but managed, to keep up with the high demand from Parade attendees for Safe Kids reflective bags and candy.  The most exciting thing about being a part of the FedEx team were the shouts of “Go FedEx!” that could be heard throughout the parade.  It was an awesome sight that would make any team member feel proud to work at FedEx.  After the parade, we were thrilled to learn that FedEx was recognized before 8,000 attendees as the winner of the 2011 Mid-South Pride Parade’s ‘Best Corporate Group Award.’ 

Supporting cultural events like Pride festivals and parades demonstrates the FedEx commitment to diversity and inclusion.  It also highlights FedEx values of welcoming and reflecting diverse communities.  We hope this will attract more skilled team members and appeal to a broader range of customers.  So, please come and join us for next year’s Pride that promises to be bigger and even better!

To learn more about the LGBT & Friends Network at FedEx, email lgbt@fedex.com.