Every year, Aramark’s Pride employee resource group (ERG) recognizes the members and nonprofit partners who most embody the group’s mission to foster an open, inclusive environment in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+), and others who identify or are allied with that community are fully engaged to achieve the organization’s goals and enhance employees’ professional growth.
Jasmine Hopkins, 2023 Ian Bailey Pride of Aramark
This year, the ERG has selected Jasmine Hopkins, Director of Retail Dining, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality (photo at top), as the winner of the 2023 Ian Bailey Pride of Aramark Award, named for the company’s former Vice President of Investor Relations.
Nominated by many of her peers, Hopkins brings boundless energy and commitment to her role as the Pride Communications Co-Chair, through which she is driven to create the best experience for ERG members.
“It is such an overwhelming honor to be recognized by my peers for my commitment to and passion for inclusion,” said Hopkins. “Becoming a member of Pride and joining the leadership team has genuinely been a labor of love. I am sincerely grateful that I get to be me every day and contribute to a culture where we can all be seen and heard.”
Hopkins was recognized at a virtual event on October 26th at which Pride coordinated watch parties so ERG members and other Aramark employees across the company could take part in the celebration.
Pride also recognized other award winners during the event as follows:
Tom Crocker, Hub Honoree 2023
Crocker (pictured) is a Business and Innovation Director with Aramark UK and Chair of the Aramark Pride UK Hub, which was created in 2020. “It’s an incredible honor to be selected as the inaugural Pride Hub Honoree,” said Crocker. “Our Hub wouldn’t be what it is without the dedication and efforts of our committee—and by how willing people are to support our goals in making Aramark an ever-inclusive workplace.”
Prism United, OUTstanding Community Partner 2023
Prism United is a non-profit organization addressing issues facing LGBTQ youth in Southwest Alabama. A longtime Aramark community partner, Prism United will receive a grant along with the award recognition.
Now with more than 700 members, Pride has grown almost 15% in the past year, due in part to the ERG’s continued focus on expansion across local and international member Hubs.
Other October Happenings
In addition to the awards event held October 26th, Pride organized several other activities in October to help employees commemorate LGBTQ+ History Month and National Coming Out Day.
- Cooking Demo and Discussion. Pride paired up with the Aramark Impacto ERG October 6th to discuss the rich history and cultural significance of tequila, learned how to make Paloma cocktails and Nachos con Queso (pictured), and watched an inspiring video of a significant Latinx LGBTQ+ figure.
- Motivational Speaker. On National Coming Out Day (October 11th) guest speaker Stephanie Battaglino, an internationally recognized transgender motivational speaker, trainer, founder and owner of Follow Your Heart, LLC came to share her story of being a closeted employee who found true acceptance once she decided to live her truth.
- Hub Meet and Greet and Virtual Tour. On October 18th, Pride Hub leaders from the UK, Philadelphia, Ohio, Nashville, and Oakland led employees through a virtual tour of their locations and shared a unique piece of history from each.
Find out how Aramark celebrated Pride Month in June 2023.
