This Pride Month, Our Pride Employee Network (OPEN) celebrated Pride traditions, both old and new, in support of our LGBTQ+ community. At Campbell, seeking the power of different is one of our core values, and we’re committed to challenging ourselves to promote the conversations and actions needed to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

Raising the flag to raise our commitment

To mark the start of Pride Month, we continued an annual tradition of raising the Pride flag at our World Headquarters in Camden, NJ. Though this years’ celebration looked a bit different with social distancing measures in place, Mark Clouse, our President & CEO and the executive sponsor of OPEN, and Kurt Yasenchak, Research & Development Scientist and Co-Chair of OPEN, raised the flag together on June 2^nd.

“As we raise the Pride flag this year, we continue to raise our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their authentic self and be valued for their differences,” said Mark.

Kurt Yasenchak (left), Campbell employee and Co-Chair of OPEN, Our Pride Employee Network and Mark Clouse (right), President & CEO and executive sponsor of OPEN, stand beside the Pride flag, raised at our World Headquarters in Camden, NJ.

Promoting LGBTQ+ education and support

Throughout June, OPEN hosted virtual activities and events to help bolster engagement within the LGBTQ+ community, and to promote education and support for inclusion.

Each Friday of Pride month we held a virtual LGTBQ+ Movie Lunch Series, inviting all employees to watch influential films within the LGBTQ+ community. In partnership with our Black Resource Group, employees watched Paris is Burning, a film chronicling the ball culture of New York City and the African American, Latino, gay and transgender communities. With the Women of Campbell employee resource group, employees watched Carol, a film about a forbidden love affair between two women in New York City in the early 1950’s.

The group also hosted a family-friendly story book reading and discussion with drag queen, Ladybird Fancypants, teaching people of all ages about diversity, caring and promoting belonging. The Ladybird Fancypants Show is trans/homophobic-free, racism-free, and sexism-free, and was founded to share stories that teach others about loving yourself and others, regardless of differences.

Giving back

During the month, OPEN encouraged employees across North America to participate in a virtual 5K and Fun Run that benefits William Way, an LGBTQ+ organization in Philadelphia that helps youth, senior citizens and the homeless. All registration funds for the race were donated to the organization, which encourages, supports and advocates for the well-being and acceptance of sexual and gender minorities in the Greater Philadelphia region through service, recreational, educational and cultural programming.

Hand delivering Pride spirit

With events like parades and in-person celebrations being held virtually this year, the OPEN group decided to assemble and deliver “Pride boxes,” to help bring the spirit of Pride to employees. The boxes included Campbell favorites like Goldfish Colors, V8 Sparkling Energy Drink, Kettle chips, and Pride masks, shirts and flags.

“The boxes bring a little fun to the homes of our colleagues,” said Kurt, “and prove that as a Campbell family we can still connect and celebrate even though we’re not together this year.”

Pride boxes with favorite Campbell products.

Learn more about our commitment to building a culture that enhances inclusivity, and our promise to provide a workplace that values, respects and celebrates everyone.

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