Drag queen and TV personality, Scarlett Bobo, visited GTA-based Amazon facility
to host a Drag 101 for employees
TORONTO, June 24,
2022 /CNW/ - To celebrate Pride Month, Amazon Canada
is shining light on the importance of diversity, equity and
inclusion in the workplace and beyond, through a series of
educational initiatives and unique opportunities for employees to
get involved in 2SLGBTQ+ celebrations in communities across the
country.
"We are always working to find new ways to empower our
workforce, and provide opportunities to partake in initiatives that
both support and celebrate members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community," says
Derek Hooey, Amazon Area Manager and
Glamazon Lead. "Under the umbrella of Stronger Together we are
thrilled to celebrate the power of diverse backgrounds,
perspectives and voices through a series of initiatives throughout
Canada during Pride Month."
Scarlett Bobo Fulfillment Centre Tour and Drag 101 for
Employees
Earlier this week, Canada's Drag Race alumni, Scarlett BoBo, visited the company's YYZ1
facility to tour the operations, educate employees about the power
of drag, what it means to the community and the importance of Pride
Month, and host a Drag 101 for employees. On June 26, she will join 200 local Amazon employees
from the company's Glamazon affinity group to march in the Toronto
Pride Parade.
"I am so excited to be a part of the 2022 Pride Toronto parade
with Amazon," said Scarlett Bobo.
"It's also great that I'll get to spend time with 2SLGBTQ+
employees and allies through Glamazon. It's amazing to see a
corporation like Amazon investing in diversity in the office and in
the community."
Glamazon Affinity Group
Glamazon is one of the
14 affinity groups at Amazon that helps connect, support, and
empower communities of employees across the globe. The affinity
group aims to raise awareness about 2SLGBTQ+ issues and promote
opportunities for engagement both inside and outside the company
through mentorship and social gatherings, year-round. There are
currently more than 40 Glamazon chapters around the
world, including both corporate and operational chapters in
Toronto.
"We are always working to find new ways to empower our workforce
and partake in initiatives that both support and celebrate members
of the 2SLGBTQ+ community," said Hooey, "We are excited to partner
with Scarlett Bobo to provide our
team with a fun and educational experience during Pride Month."
Toronto Pride Parade
Amazon's 2022 Toronto Pride
Parade float is being developed in partnership with local 2SLGBTQ+
ally and artist, Natalie Very B. The float is designed
to depict the Glamazon ethos of diversity, equity and
inclusion. Natalie was selected to design the float due to her
commitment to educating people about the importance of
anti-oppressive practices and promotion of self-love and body
neutrality in the world.
"I am passionate about using art to empower people, so it's an
honour to have been invited to create these big, bold, and
colourful designs for Glamazon's Pride parade float," said Natalie
Very B. "I hope that my illustrations inspire viewers to accept and
love themselves, just the way they are. I want people to be able to
see themselves represented in public art. My designs aim to spread
the spirit of diversity and inclusion while bringing whimsy and
magic to the parade."
Catered Lunch from 2SLGBTQ+-led Company, Kitchenette
Toronto
In advance of the parade, Amazon employees
will gather to enjoy lunch from local 2SLGBTQ+ catering company,
Kitchenette Toronto.
"The pandemic has been extremely hard for restaurants, bars and
catering companies," said Jimmy
Georgoulis, Co-owner of Kitchenette Toronto. "So when
companies like Amazon partner with small businesses like ours,
especially catering companies who operate in the 2SLGBTQ community,
it makes a huge impact."
Ongoing Initiatives to Celebrate Pride
Month
Throughout the month of June, Amazon will host a
series of planned Pride-focused activities in fulfillment centres
across the country, including educational sessions surrounding the
history and importance of Pride, 2SLGBTQ+ trivia and bingo,
a RuPaul's Drag Race viewing party, catered
Pride-themed snacks and more!
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four
principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus,
passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and
long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most
Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest
Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized
recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS,
Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire
TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios,
and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by
Amazon.
SOURCE Amazon Canada