OpenText, in partnership with Nirmaan Organisation, has launched “Hope In A Cup”. It is a truly inclusive café proudly managed by three members of the LGBTQIA community. With an investment of Rs.25 lakh in infrastructure and staff training, OpenText is helping these employees. They support these entrepreneurs in exploring their entrepreneurial dreams through hands-on experience. A dedicated project coordinator guides the entrepreneurs. Furthermore, this initiative goes beyond serving coffee. It is a significant step toward empowering marginalised communities and starting a much-needed change.
Building a more inclusive future
The “Hope in a Cup” café at OpenText’s Hyderabad office is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Moreover, it represents the company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). This project supports members of the LGBTQIA+ community through a two-month training program in café management. It prepares them to launch their own businesses.
Yvonne Thomson, Vice President of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at OpenText, said, “At OpenText, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is driven by purpose. We want to remove barriers and help to create a more supportive and inclusive world for all. By supporting the communities where we live and work, we are helping to build and foster a culture rooted in allyship, acceptance and belonging for our employees and beyond. And, as we continue to prioritise breaking down barriers in the way of marginalised and underrepresented groups, this café shows our commitment. It showcases our vision of a world where all voices are heard, welcomed and valued.“
The goal of this funding is to give the LGBTQIA+ community a fair chance. At the same time, the aim is to address the employment and corporate barriers they face. The employees will receive detailed training on everything from daily operations to customer service. It will ensure they are ready to manage their businesses successfully.
How ‘Hope in a Cup’ is more than just training
The “Hope in a Cup” initiative is not only about entrepreneurial training. Beyond helping them start their businesses, OpenText promotes a non-discriminatory work environment. By doing so, the company aims to create a workplace culture where everyone feels appreciated and included.
Manoj Nagpal, Managing Director of OpenText India, said, “We strongly believe that an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment is more than just essential for innovation. Actually, it helps make businesses and people better.“
The LGBTQIA+ community frequently faces workplace discrimination and biases in the job market. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs run into the same problems. Not everyone has the support they need to succeed. That makes it even harder to find proper training and start their businesses. Hence, we really need more initiatives like ‘Hope in a Cup.’ Moreover, we need to offer support and resources to make entrepreneurship more accessible.
The final thoughts
By investing in LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and promoting a non-discriminatory work environment, OpenText is helping to change the stigma around investing in queer-owned businesses. There is a constant, inherent bias against queer folks that often limit their access to essential training and experience. This lack of opportunity can lead to companies being hesitant to hire them. And that continues the cycle of marginalisation. Breaking this cycle means actively providing opportunities for queer people to gain the skills and experience to succeed. And “Hope in a Cup” is a meaningful change that inspires others to do the same.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
