The Shipbuilders Together Realizing Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (STRIDE) employee resource group (ERG) hosted a table at the 36th annual Hampton Roads PrideFest last Saturday.

Braving a heat index of more than 100 degrees, almost two dozen shipbuilders enjoyed interacting with attendees.

“Greeting and interacting with all the different people that come to the booth was my favorite thing about PrideFest,” said STRIDE member Keola Keanaaina (E70). It was fun seeing the excitement of the little and big kids who came to play our games to win prizes or candy. I was asked many times about the shipyard, what I did for NNS, and what it is like being a part of the shipyard as a member of the LGBT community.”

Talent Acquisition was on site conducting interviews, answering questions and handing out literature to future shipbuilders.

“We are so fortunate to work for a company that gives back to the community and encourages an open and safe workplace for all shipbuilders,” said Jonathan Guthrie (E33), STRIDE co-chairperson. “The first two letters of our ERG stand for ‘Shipbuilders Together’ and that is exactly what we represented at PrideFest.”