For the second year in a row, TUNE came together as a community to celebrate Pride throughout the month of June. During the week leading up to the big parade, our TUNE Cares team organized a Civic Engagement speaker series focused on equal rights, and held a happy hour in the kitchen to celebrate Pride with friends, family and coworkers. See what TUNErs had to say about their favorite moments throughout the week.
I like to think of the Pride Parade and Pride Month as opportunities to open the door for more awareness about underrepresented groups and join in being an ally. I feel proud to work for a company like TUNE who visibly makes an effort in Pride events all year round. From fundraising for LGBTQ youth to marching in the parade alongside our fellow teammates, I can’t help but feel over excited for the positivity we spread. When we Tuners come together, our outcome will be greater than the sum of all its parts. Pride is more than just a June event, it is a day to day fight for human equality and rights. I love being part of a team who is open to empowering individuals, strengthening the city, and working towards a better future.” – Jacki Yanamura, Sales Development Representative
Civic Engagement Speaker Series
TUNE recently welcomed Monisha Harrell as part of our speaker series. Monisha serves as Board Chair for Equal Rights Washington, is a board member for the National LGBTQ Task Force, and owns and operates small marketing firm Rule Seven, which focuses on outreach strategies, brand development, and market research. TUNErs filled the conference room at HQ to learn about Equal Rights Washington, current issues facing the LGBTQ community, Monisha’s personal growth into LGBTQ activism, and various ways the community can get involved.
Happiest Hours for Lambert House
On the Thursday before the parade, TUNE held the “Happiest Hour for Lambert House” to raise awareness and funds for the local non-profit. Lambert House provides a safe space that empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth through the development of leadership, social, and life skills. The organization was chosen as our fundraiser recipient for the second year in a row because of their mission to support LGBTQ youth. The TUNE kitchen was transformed into a colorful room filled with energy and excitement, accompanied by themed cocktail drinks, a tie-dye station, a DJ booth, and tasty bites from the kitchen team.
In previous years, TUNErs collected just over $200 for Lambert House, but this year we exceeded our goal of $1,000 and raised $1,151.77 through happy hour ticket sales and donations. Lambert House programs and operations are made possible by a large group of thoroughly vetted, highly trained, long-term volunteers, with “seventy-five percent of annual operating budget comes from ongoing individual donors and community contributors.”
“It’s great to see my fellow TUNErs putting in effort and participating in events that support the local community outside of our office. I think fostering relationships with local charitable organizations and encouraging us to do some good for others is a win-win for everybody… and it always turns out to be pretty fun, too. :)” – Jesse Rinehart, Software Development Engineer
“Hosting experiences like ‘Happiest Hour for Lambert House’ are very impactful to me and fellow TUNErs because of the togetherness it creates within our employees and our community neighbors.” – Hillary Robinson, Community Engagement Manager
Seattle Pride Parade
This year, more than 20 TUNErs, family, and friends made their way through the streets of downtown Seattle for the Pride Parade along with fellow companies, organizations and individuals who all shared the common goal of coming together as a community to support one another.
“It was powerful and uplifting to see all different orientations, races, and ages come out to support during the pride parade. It brought together our local community as well as our TUNE family. Walking in the pride parade with TUNE was electric. You could feel the positivity, acceptance, and energy of the crowd and other participants. I’m proud of TUNE for choosing to be a part to support and emphasize the value of diversity and inclusion.” – Christine Chow, Marketing Manager
“What I thought would be a fun parade was actually an amazing, roving, dance party as we twirled down 4th Avenue to the kicking bass. I’m so glad to work for a company that values and supports causes that recognize everyone’s right to be who they are.” – Phillip Ratliff, Director of Engineering
“Our Facilities Manager, Jay was our DJ on the TUNE Pride float. Before the parade even started, he pumped up the crowd all around us, from the crowds in the streets to the other participating parade groups. The energy from TUNE employees was really awesome to see, and we didn’t stop dancing down the streets until the finish line. Everyone fueled the crowds passion with music, dancing and smiles, while passing out pride themed TUNE stickers and flags.” – Chantelle Miller, Office Operations Manager
As June comes to an end, love and support for our communities continues to fill the office. From having special guest Monisha Harrell speak at TUNE, to reaching our fundraising goal for Lambert House, and sponsoring the Seattle Pride Parade, we encourage each TUNE employee to bring their full selves to work and continue to share their passions and interests.
Author
Becky is the Senior Content Marketing Manager at TUNE. Before TUNE, she handled content strategy and marketing communications at several tech startups in the Bay Area. Becky received her bachelor's degree in English from Wake Forest University. After a decade in San Francisco and Seattle, she has returned home to Charleston, SC, where you can find her strolling through Hampton Park with her pup and enjoying the simple things between adventures with friends and family.
