Gray: A Place Where People Belong

Belonging, according to the dictionary, is an affinity for a place or situation. But at Gray we don’t think that tells the whole story. We think belonging goes far beyond just having a liking or feeling of closeness to Gray. We think belonging means you are one of us; we think belonging means you are family. And every day we strive to make sure that every person who walks through the doors at Gray feels like they belong to our family just as much as the next person.

This year, to celebrate Black History Month, we asked a few of our team members what belonging means to them.

Maria Turner, training & team member experiences specialist – “To me, belonging means being a part of something in your life, whether it’s family, work, friends, church, or community. I don’t have to change anything about myself, I don’t have to conform to what others want me to be, I can just be free to live the way God has made me to be. If we all felt the same way, and treated everyone as family, what an amazing feeling of belonging we would all have.”

Brenton Everett, assistant project manager – “Belonging is a state of comfortable recognition for capabilities without any tie to race or gender. As African Americans, we do not want to get jobs or accept roles just because of the color of our skin. We want to belong in a workplace because we are as capable as the people around us.”

Monica Gary, senior administrative assistant – “Belonging means to be the positive change that you want to see. Be the example.”

George Donkor, assistant design manager – “Belonging is being part of a family, a community, or a society where you are valued or accepted as a fellow human being created by God. You are cherished, irrespective of your gender, race, background, social standing, or beliefs. You are seen as one who possesses some inherent potential that can be tapped into for the betterment of the civilized society to which you belong. Belonging looks past the outward appearance and looks for the real you.”

If you would like to learn more about joining the Gray family, please visit gray.com/careers.