Celebrating Pride Month with Gabe Hagen & Brick Road Coffee
To celebrate the start of Pride Month, we interviewed Gabe Hagen, co-founder of Brick Road Coffee, a locally owned coffee shop in Tempe, Arizona that is LGBTQA and sober-community friendly, to discuss the importance of creating spaces that welcome and celebrate diversity.
History of Brick Road Coffee
Opened in 2022, Brick Road Coffee is an inclusive community space, intentionally designed to cultivate a sense of belonging for everyone who walks through the door. Gabe describes how Brick Road Coffee is really meant to be a space where people can come together and create collective thought to really find ways to solve a lot of the pressing issues Arizona is facing today.
One of the organization’s distinguishing features is its commitment to providing a safe space for marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ and sober communities. Brick Road Coffee acknowledges the historical reliance on traditional nightlife venues for LGBTQ+ socialization and aims to offer an alternative space that is inclusive and welcoming to all ages.
Celebrating Pride Month
As we delve into Pride Month, Gabe emphasizes the importance of reflection and education. He highlights the need to understand the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and the ongoing struggle for equality. He emphasizes that Pride is both a celebration and a recognition of the community’s challenges.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational principles at Brick Road Coffee. Gabe stresses the significance of listening to staff and customers to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. He describes how, by engaging in open dialogue and being transparent about our decision-making processes, the organization fosters a culture of inclusion and trust.
During the interview, Gabe reflects on the importance of community collaboration in driving meaningful change. He remains committed to Brick Road Coffee’s mission of creating an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves.
“Inclusion is not just a goal; it’s a journey. By listening, learning, and working together, we can build a better future for all.”
Gabe Hagen
Join Valley Leadership’s Catalyze Class 4 to learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and how you can incorporate them into your own organizational culture!