Red Stripe, as part of its Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) agenda, has partnered with The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, to promote equity, diversity and inclusion among students on the campus.

Kick-starting the transformative mission of its EDI Unit, The UWI team hosted its first “Women Who Brunch” event under the theme ‘Belonging’ with a contribution from Red Stripe’s Women’s Employee Resource Group Committee. Hosted at The UWI, Mona Campus, the event was decorated with riveting, unfiltered and engaging discussions among students, organisers and partners alike.

Amoye Phillpotts-Brown, co-chairman of Red Stripe’s Women’s Employee Resource Group Committee, highlights the company’s unwavering commitment to extending its reach beyond the confines of its Spanish Town Road brewery to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion through partnerships with like-minded organisations, all while celebrating the first anniversary of their Employee Resource Group (ERG).

“We’re dedicated to providing unreserved support, mentorship, advocacy, and networking opportunities to The UWI team, allowing the EDI Unit to unleash their boundless potential, nurturing an all-encompassing atmosphere of inclusivity and growth. As the university embarks on its journey to cultivate an inclusive environment actively, we stand tall with pride, prepared to amplify the impact of their initiatives. Together, we aspire to ignite a profound sense of belonging for every student, planting the seeds of a diverse culture. This brunch is merely the beginning,” she said.

Red Stripe’s Women Empowerment through Collaboration, Allyship, and Networking (WE CAN) Initiative was crafted by the Employee Resource Group Committee as part of its EDI agenda. Boasting a committee of 12 female members, the company has set out to empower, nurture, and champion remarkable female employees and allies at Red Stripe and beyond.

Yolanda Paul, manager of UWI EDI Unit, noted that a strong partnership has blossomed between The UWI, Mona and Red Stripe, united in their commitment to fostering respectful and inclusive environments.

“We have aimed to forge partnerships with like-minded organisations that champion diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and Red Stripe embodies these values. Witnessing their commitment to inclusivity, especially in championing women’s rights, reinforced our decision to welcome their involvement. We have had the privilege of attending numerous sessions hosted by the company, gleaning expert insights from their team members, which assured us of the immense benefits their partnership would bring. They have openly and eagerly shared their expertise with us, and we eagerly anticipate their continued support as we jointly strive to create environments that embrace and honour diversity,” Paul stated.

Since the unveiling of its Employee Resource Group Committee and the launch of its WE CAN Initiative in September 2022, the company has undertaken a range of women empowerment initiatives. These include Women’s Day Power Brunch events with guest speakers Krystal Tomlinson and Velvet Suite’s Amy Whiteman, ‘WE CAN’ support sessions in collaboration with Velvet Suite, Lunch and Learn sessions featuring financial wellness specialist Kalilah Reynolds, and its recent partnership with The UWI, Mona EDI Unit to provide mentorship and sponsor the unit’s inaugural Women Who Brunch event.