Know Your BRGs: Spectrum

This is part of a series on the Business Resource Groups (BRG) at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services
(MBFS). BRGs aim to make a business impact for MBFS by connecting with and learning more about the
various perspectives of its employees.
Having Mercedes-Benz Financial Services maintain a presence in the LGBTQ+ community is a priority for
Kee Sourjohn, Chair of the LGBTQ+-focused BRG Spectrum. The LGBTQ+ community is a diverse one, and
may be difficult to fully understand from the outside looking in, so through representation at and
participation in LGBTQ+ events and organizations, Sourjohn and his fellow Spectrum members are
uniquely positioned to help MBFS better realize the experiences of the LGBTQ+ population.
Recently appointed to a board member position for Black Tie Dinner, a non-profit organization that
raises money for LGBTQ+-supportive organizations in North Texas through a charity fundraising dinner
and a MBFS community partner, Sourjohn has his fingers on the pulse of the LGBTQ+ community. The
idea is that by being active in the community, Spectrum can have an impact on MBFS business by
offering insights and advice on how to best serve LGBTQ+ audiences, both internally as employees and
externally as customers.
My involvement in the LGBTQ+ community is twofold: I can support a cause I care deeply about while
at the same time acting as a representative of the company in the community, said Sourjohn.
That presence in the community has been a prominent theme of Spectrums business initiatives thus far.
This year, a group of more than 45 MBFS employees and their family and friends participated in both the
Dallas and Fort Worth Pride Parades for the first time, where the company showcased the 2017 SLC,
2017 SL and the 2016 GLE to an estimated 45,000 parade attendees. MBFS employees shared in the
festivities by giving approximately 10,000 headbands to parade spectators.
Events such as these parades are an opportunity for MBFS to show its support for LGBTQ+ individuals
and get our name out into the community, said Sourjohn. It is important to promote diversity not only
internally, but in our surrounding communities, as well.
Looking ahead, Spectrum also wants to help make MBFS a more attractive employer for LGBTQ+
professionals, who often feel they must hide their true selves while at work. One opportunity that
Spectrum is examining is the Human Rights Campaign Foundations (HRC) Corporate Equality Index.
Similar to JD Power, HRCs Corporate Equality Index provides the public with a snapshot of how a
company ranks in terms of LGBTQ+ equality.
By getting recognition for the efforts to make MBFS a diverse and inclusive workplace, LGBTQ+
professionals might be encouraged to seek employment with MBFS, helping to recruit the best and
brightest candidates.
BRG membership is open to all employees. If you are interested in joining, working with or hearing more
about Spectrum, send an email to spectrum@daimler.com.