Nareit shares the strides that its member REITs are taking to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and how they are recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month this year.
National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept.15-Oct. 15) is a moment to reflect on Hispanic professionals who have an essential role in making the REIT industry more diverse and successful, and in celebration over the next month, Nareit is sharing REIT stories.
American Tower Corp. (NYSE: AMT) employees attended the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)'s 45th Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 15th. The REIT described the event as “a wonderful night celebrating the history and heritage of the Latino community.” American Tower says its proud to support CHCI’s work to provide fellowships, internships, scholarships, and more to young Latinos across the country.
Americold Realty Trust (NYSE: COLD) is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting its Hispanic employees on social media in September and October. Americold is sharing associate voices on topics of bringing heritage and culture to the workplace and the importance of a diverse community.
At AvalonBay Communities (NYSE: AVB), the theme for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations is Unidos, or United, and it recognizes the diversity within Hispanic culture that is rooted in many Latin American countries and territories. The Latinx Employees of AvalonBay for Diversity (LEAD) members and allies will have opportunities to immerse themselves in Hispanic culture through food, music, and conversation. AvalonBay is also highlighting on social media its Hispanic team member voices, including Erik Gonzalez, maintenance manager in Los Angeles; and Ramses Perez, senior maintenance manager in Yonkers, N.Y.
Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE:BDN) is lighting the sky in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at the FMC Tower in Philadelphia. Brandywine said it recognizes and celebrates the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
As part of a heritage month video series led by Extra Space Storage’s (NYSE: EXR) BIPOC employee resource group, the REIT kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing this video with its employees, highlighting it both on the company intranet site, where it received 500 internal views, as well as on the company LinkedIn page, where it was shared almost 30 times. The employees featured in the video are based all over the country, including in Fishers, Indiana; Salt Lake City; Dallas; and Los Angeles.
Hosted by their diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging program, Host Hotels & Resorts (NASDAQ: HST) honored Hispanic Heritage Month with an all-employee celebration featuring learning opportunities, food and music. Employees heard from their Hispanic and Latinx colleagues and learned about the history and diversity of the Hispanic and Latin American culture and community. The event culminated with a special lunch featuring a variety of dishes inspired by Hispanic and Latin American countries and live music from local band Grupo Etnia.
Independence Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: IRT) celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by inviting numerous Hispanic and Latinx employees to share what their heritage means to them.
W. P. Carey Inc. (NYSE: WPC) said it is supporting two non-profit organizations: the Dominican Women’s Development Center (DWDC), a women-led non-profit seeking to address systemic problems affecting Latinas, and the Maestro Cares Foundation, which aims to create safe environments for disadvantaged children in Latin America and the U.S.