Blog Article

2023 DE&I at COMPLY: Hispanic Heritage Month

Oct 13, 2023

This year, to honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we took the opportunity to learn about the heritage, inspiration and legacy of this community through the medium of literature.

As an organization, COMPLY is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that COMPLY’s employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only the company’s culture, but also COMPLY’s reputation and achievement.

Throughout 2023, the COMPLY team has honored and celebrated diversity and inclusion with initiatives and programs designed to learn and grow with and from each other.

This year, to honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we took the opportunity to learn about the heritage, inspiration and legacy of the Hispanic community through literature. And the takeaways were significant. 

Hispanic Heritage Month book clubs 

COMPLY honored the rich literary contributions of Hispanic authors by organizing a virtual book club. Our goal was not only to celebrate but amplify the voices of Hispanic storytellers, sharing their unique perspectives and experiences through the power of literature.

Employees were encouraged to select one of the following books and then join the corresponding Slack channel: 

Fiction 

  1. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 
  2. Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis 

Non-Fiction 

  1. Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora 
  2. The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio 

Engaging discussions 

Our Slack channels became lively hubs of conversation as employees delved into each story. From analyzing plot twists to sharing personal reflections, the discussions were a testament to the power of literature in fostering connection and understanding. The channels provided a virtual meeting ground, allowing our employees to connect with others who embarked on the same literary adventure. 

In addition to the dynamic Slack discussions, some book clubs opted to schedule virtual meetings with each other. These meetings served as intimate gatherings where participants could share their favorite moments, discuss overarching themes and deepen their understanding of the narratives. The book club meetings provided a space for rich dialogue and a shared appreciation for the diverse perspectives woven into each story. 

Customer Success Manager Emily Mantush said, “I really enjoyed the book option I chose for the book club. It introduced me to an author and subject I would not have found on my own.” 

Similarly, Director of Managed Services Lydia Gabbard said, “I laughed and sobbed my way through the book.” 

Employees had thoughtful reflections about diversity and inclusion, as well. 

Mantush said, “Celebrating diversity and inclusion in the workplace fosters a more innovative and dynamic environment, where a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds can drive creativity and problem-solving. It also promotes a sense of belonging and equity, which benefits both the individual employees and the company as a whole.” 

Similarly, Gabbard said, “Diversity and inclusion celebration is critical to an organization’s health to promote different lived experiences, creativity and diverse ideas.” 

Unity and progress: Coming together as an organization 

As National Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, COMPLY continues to reflect on the collective journey taken through the pages of captivating stories. The book clubs weren’t just celebrations of words but a testament to the power of stories to unite, inspire and broaden our horizons. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us on this literary adventure, making our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration a resounding success. 

Stay tuned for more engaging events and celebrations at COMPLY as we continue to embrace and amplify diverse voices.