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Praytell’s network of ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) are designed to give Praytellians communities of coworkers that they have something in common with—whether that’s sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or gender identity. Not only do the members of each ERG get to build relationships, air grievances, and celebrate wins with one another—each group makes Praytell a more inclusive ecosystem. In fact, ERGs consult on agency projects to ensure we’re always keeping diverse perspectives in mind.
So, what’s it like to lead an ERG? And what drives people to help out? We sat down with our Chief Diversity Officer and leads from each ERG to learn more.
Naria Frazer | Chief Diversity Officer
What made you want to take on a leadership ERG role?
Building our ERG ecosystem was fueled by my desire to make a tangible impact in our workplace and beyond. The bold and innovative leadership from our Leads inspires me daily to step up and actively contribute to shaping an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.
How does your own identity inspire and motivate you?
My own identity as Black woman plays a crucial role in my leadership style and motivations. It serves as a daily reminder of the hurdles we still need to overcome, but also of the strength that diversity brings to our agency and the privilege to carve paths for others.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become more active in their communities?
For those looking to become more involved in their communities, listening is indeed the first step. It's about understanding the needs and dynamics of the community and then finding ways to contribute meaningfully.
Kristle Navarro | ElevAsian Lead
What made you want to take on a leadership ERG role?
When I switched over to the account side here, I felt like I was a bit more siloed and didn't get to talk to other folks outside of the social team as much. The ElevAsian ERG has been such a fun way to engage and get to know other Praytellians! I also wanted to help our members maintain a sense of community. It’s nice to be a part of reinforcing that.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become more active in their communities?
I would say to make as much intentional effort as possible to be more present in any way you can. The reality is that it can be difficult to maintain that presence when your days get busy, but even showing up in the smallest ways like a Slack message or volunteering for a group activity is helpful!
Shahamat Uddin | Prism Lead
What made you want to take on a leadership ERG role?
Last February, when Tennessee state legislators announced an intention to ban drag throughout the state, I felt personally disturbed by the news. Drag brings me so much joy in my everyday life (my entire Instagram Explore page is just Drag Race lol) and I've been lucky to witness its transformative power on many people close to me. I felt compelled to act and I knew that I couldn't go at it alone. At the time I was only a member of Prism, but I shared a quick message brainstorming ways that we could translate Praytell resources into tangible action to support the drag community of Tennessee. The event was organized quickly. At that moment I understood our ERGs’ capacity to impact real change, both at our agency and in the world we live in. I stepped into the ERG leadership role to do just that. My life, my happiness, and my entire identity is in many ways a credit to the vibrancy of the LGBTQ+ community that raised me and, as I step further into life, I feel indebted to spread that power to the other queer and trans people around me.
How does your own identity inspire and motivate you?
I've had a really tough time coming into self-confidence with my queer identity. I don't come from a family or a cultural/religious community that accepts queerness. The only reason I've been able to find the confidence and capacity to come out was because of the LGBTQ+ community that raised me (specifically the one in New Orleans). Knowing how difficult this struggle is and how important community is to overcoming it, I am immensely inspired to create a space that celebrates queerness. For so many of us, it is life saving and even though we're coworkers, I know we're humans first. From one queer human to another queer human, Prism will always be a space to welcome anyone exactly as they are, no strings attached.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become more active in their communities?
Vulnerability! Vulnerability is everything. Have vulnerable conversations with those around you and be willing to accept people in their vulnerable forms. It is the ultimate connector of people and of life. Once you have that connection with another person, it grows and grows, and suddenly, you're attuned to what people are feeling, understanding of what struggles they're facing, and hyper-aware of what you need to do for yourself and for others to support your community.
Yadira Garibay | Compañeros Lead
What made you want to take on a leadership ERG role?
I'm proud of my heritage and being a first generation Mexican-American. Because of this, I love connecting with others in my community and hope to help inspire others to be proud of who they are and to celebrate their heritage, culture, and traditions. We can also learn a lot from the experiences of others, so creating a safe space where members can connect and share is important and extremely valuable.
How does your own identity inspire and motivate you?
The struggles my ancestors and parents have endured are what have always motivated me. As the daughter of immigrant parents, I've seen and experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to come to a country where you don't know the language and face a million challenges yet are still able to provide a better future for the next generation. Although my "American Dream" may be different—influenced by different experiences compared to others my parents faced—I still hold many cultural values close to my heart that have shaped who I am today and will be tomorrow.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become more active in their communities?
Put yourself out there! The first thing you have to do is be true to yourself and show your true self. Additionally, challenge yourself to attend local cultural events. Find local organizations supporting your community, explore volunteer opportunities, go to networking events, and use LinkedIn and social media to connect with advocates or other leaders in the community.
Dele Odumosu | Beacon Lead
What made you want to take on a leadership ERG role?
It happened pretty naturally and quickly! I was passionate about preserving the beautiful bond our Black employees had already begun to form. My vision for what could be felt so strong and, ultimately, I realized I was ready to step up and help execute the vision to formalize the group. Leading BEACON through the years has been a true honor.
How does your own identity inspire and motivate you?
Being born Black means automatically being inducted into a Hall of Fame of rich ancestry and culture. My curiosity to see how this legacy unfolds—not just for myself, but for all of us—is what keeps me motivated and inspired to keep going, trying, evolving, exploring, and being. The future really is limitless and we see proof of this every day!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become more active in their communities?
Go where you feel called and let your talents move you! It doesn't have to be any more complicated than that. Think about your natural interests, skills, hobbies, etc. — there's absolutely a way you can translate them into something for your community. You're probably already doing it, so lean in where it feels right and raise your hand if you want to be involved more seriously. Remember, the best part of being in a community is that it is a safe space! You should feel empowered to test and learn and let the process and your mentors guide you into the right place.
Christine Tibert | Herizon Lead
What made you want to take on a leadership ERG role?
I knew I wanted to be involved in Herizon because I felt like I could help people speak their minds and I wanted to build a community for myself as much as for others. Three years ago, when I started, it was an entirely different group and the fact that I’ve been able to watch it flourish into the girly pop group chat we knew it could be has been incredible. I’m so proud of not only the space we’ve created but also the actions we’ve taken to support employees during the overturning of Roe v. Wade, subsequent abortion bans, COVID, and more.
How does your own identity inspire and motivate you?
I grew up with a generation of girls/women whose inner voice wasn’t always kind. I spent years rejecting femininity and girlhood, like many of us. As an adult it’s been my absolute goal to support and encourage loving oneself—whoever that person is. One of the best parts of being alive is the joy of embracing yourself. That said, I think a women’s ERG is much more complex than that. It can’t all be butterflies and daisies (though we do love that). I am a white woman and I only know my own personal life experiences/perspective. That in itself motivates me to give space for women with other perspectives and identities.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become more active in their communities?
When it comes to Herizon - all you gotta do is ask. Jump in, send a slack, share a react emoji, ping me, beep me—let’s find a place for you to get more involved! Outside of Herizon, I think there are so many wonderful groups out there that support women to get involved in. Surrounding yourself with folks who you support and who support you right back is a perfect start.
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