Photo from Collection of the Computer History Museum, 102792233
May 21, 2026 By Zarabeth Golden
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have always been about more than belonging. Their roots trace back to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, when employees organized not for visibility, but for fairness, equity, and change. One of the first formal ERGs – the National Black Employee Caucus at Xerox in 1970 – was established in direct response to racial inequities in the workplace, with a mission grounded in advocacy, accountability, and collective progress. From the beginning, ERGs were built on action, not optics.
Over time, ERGs expanded to include women, LGBTQIA+ employees, veterans, people with disabilities, and others whose lived experiences were often overlooked. As they evolved, many ERGs embraced philanthropy and community engagement as extensions of their purpose, helping link workplace inclusion with real-world impact. That history matters, because it reminds us that ERGs were never meant to be passive or performative. They were created to move institutions forward.
This legacy is reflected in events like Strides for Action – AIDS Walk Boston and Boston Pride for the People which exist because ERGs chose to channel their values into sustained community support. Early corporate and ERG leadership (including Lotus’ involvement in the Boston AIDS Walk in the 1980s) helped establish a model where employees didn’t just align around shared identities, but around shared responsibility. As we approach the 40th anniversary of AIDS Walk Boston, that tradition of action offers a powerful reminder: progress is built step by step, together.
Why ERGs Still Matter
Today’s workforce expects more than statements of support. Amid ongoing challenges around employee wellbeing, discrimination, and psychological safety (particularly for LGBTQIA+ communities) the gap between intention and impact is increasingly visible.
ERGs play a critical role in closing that gap. They translate organizational values into programs, partnerships, and fundraising that support care, dignity, and equity beyond the workplace. This aligns closely with PIOW’s core belief that community-led action is essential to advancing justice and ensuring no one is left behind.
Beyond Symbolism, Toward Impact
Participation in walks, 5Ks, and community fundraising is not symbolic, it is measurable, accountable impact. When ERGs lead teams and mobilize support through events like Strides for Action, they help fund HIV/AIDS services, education, and advocacy that directly improve lives.
This is how ERGs continue their original mission: moving from presence to progress, and from shared values to lasting change.
Learn more at stridesforaction.org.