HOT OFF THE PRESS: ROQ.US INTRODUCES THE #ROQTOGETHER MOVEMENT TO ENCOURAGE DIVERSITY & INCLUSION TO THE APPAREL SPACE
April 1, 2021. Vancouver, WA: ROQ.US Introduces the #ROQTogether Movement to Encourage Diversity & Inclusion to the Apparel Space
Screen Printing Automation Manufacturer ROQ.US Unveils the #ROQTogether Diversity & Inclusion Initiative for the Apparel Industry.
To continue bringing a variety of voices throughout the decorated apparel industry to the forefront, screen printing automation technology manufacturer ROQ.US is honored to unveil #ROQTogether, a collective movement to inspire, encourage, implement, and embrace diversity and inclusion within the apparel industry and beyond.
Expanding on the mission of the #WomenROQ movement and Facebook Group launched last year to celebrate and support the women who continue to lead and innovate the apparel field, which culminated in the first-ever Women in Screen Printing Awards hosted by Screen Print Magazine, the team at ROQ.US knew it was just the first critical step of many more to come.
Over the course of the past year, it became quickly evident that there was a glaring need for a safer place and community only for demonstrated respect and compassion, and along with some key partnerships, they’ve introduced the #ROQTogether movement and corresponding pledge for companies to take part in and to have deeper and more meaningful conversations around crucial topics affecting all our lives.
Involvement is always voluntary, but ROQ.US contends the #ROQTogether vision and mission will require ongoing and active participation for those who want to play their part. In efforts to better understand real experiences by real leaders in our field, they invite any and all who seek to unite efforts and resources to make the apparel space more reflective, more inviting, and accessible for all who desire to be a part of it.
ROQ.US President Ross Hunter explains, “ROQ.US was founded in February 2020 ahead of the largest pandemic in modern times. Shortly after starting up and experiencing the first impacts of COVID-19, we all experienced events which would forever again highlight the diversity, equity, and inclusion issues that regrettably are rampant in our country and around the world. As a team, ROQ.US came together to commit ourselves to make a positive impact on this very large social issue. It all started within the ROQ.US walls with a dedicated passionate group that wanted to meet and discuss how we can start to make change internally, in our community, our business, and our personal lives. We sought out members of the ROQ.US family including our partners, vendors, and larger network to better understand how we, as a company, could begin to inspire positive change. We decided to do this live through our ROQ Shop Talk Podcast by interviewing multiple business owners within the garment decorating field, which was extremely emotional and reflective on our industry. We came out of this podcast with a clearer mission and direction on what our next steps should be.”
Hunter continues, “We began by organizing all of our thoughts and creating a diversity, equity, and inclusion team in our company, comprised of team members and partners. That led to a lot of self-reflection through reading recommended books (like White Fragility & How To Be an Anti-Racist), and watching insightful documentaries as a group. We were able to come together through learning and self-identifying how we could all personally be a part of a healing change and create an initiative to greater impact our industry and community. This journey fueled the creation of the ROQ Together movement. After months of working with our partners in the field on the initiatives, we are very honored to officially roll out our commitment to the long-haul effort with the #ROQTogether pledge. We are asking other printers, vendors, community leaders, and beyond to take a pledge with us to end systemic racism, provide a seat at the table to all people, and create a better future for our industry and communities worldwide. Please visit our dedicated page to take the pledge and learn more about how you can make a positive impact on yourself, business, and community. We sincerely thank you for your continued encouragement and participation to make our world a better and more equitable place to share.”
It is with humble gratitude that ROQ.US invites you to join the movement as well as one of the first official #ROQTogether events with Screen Printing Magazine: Let’s Talk About It: Creating a path toward a more diverse and inclusive screen printing industry.
Join Adrienne Palmer, Editor-in-Chief, Screen Printing Magazine, as she has a conversation with three Black, Female screen printing business owners. The four-part series discussion will include how to increase diversity in the industry and in your shop, the importance of infusing culture, how can shop owners navigate this dialogue within their companies, resources for Black Female entrepreneurs, and so much more. This a live, virtual event, so bring your questions and comments.
For a more detailed interview with ROQ.US President Ross Hunter on the #ROQTogether movement, please visit Impressions Magazine's April edition.
For over 37 years, ROQ.US has trailblazed the global textile, digital, & screen printing industries with cutting-edge innovation inspired by real-world application. The ROQ automatic press fleet streamlines the most time-consuming aspects of screen printing and drastically reduces environmental impact while turbocharging overall production at significantly lower cost. When you build on sand, you drift away with the tide. When you build on ROQ, you stand on a solid foundation of integrity coupled with dependable automation for years to come.
To join the effort and take the #ROQTogether pledge, or for more information, please follow #ROQTogether hashtag on social media and please visit http://roqus.club/ROQTogether or call 87-ROQ-IT-NOW or email: hello@roq.us.
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