DCU Voices

DCU VOICES 36 A social enterprise founded by DCU graduates, Certified Proud is aiming to change the consumer experience for LGBTQ+ customers and staff Certified Proud is an accreditation membership body that strives towards LGBTQ+ equality within businesses. It aims to ensure the safety and visibility of staff, as well as creating comfortable and inclusive environments for customers, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The enterprise is the work of DCU graduates, Liam Redmond (BA Gaeilge agus Gnó, 2013) and Eve Kerton (BA Communication Studies, 2014). As a student, Liam was involved in founding the DCU society, HeadstARTS, as well as being a member of the national-winning 2013 DCU Enactus team that went on to represent Ireland in Mexico. Eve describes her time in DCU as one that played “a pivotal role” in the development of Certified Proud. Through her involvement with DCU Dance, DCU Media Production Society and LGBTQ Society, she gained skills in project and event management. She learned “how to network, how to market an idea, and most importantly, the value of empathy and listening.” Having been selected as a diversity champion in Ireland, Certified Proud is also expanding to the UK and Europe. In partnership with the Huckletree D2 co-working space on Pearse St in Dublin city centre, it will collaborate on events, workshops and LGBTQ+ support opportunities across Huckletree’s locations in London and Manchester. It has also signed up Europe- wide beauty brand, Osmosis Beauty, and Irish-based companies, The Project Foundry, Leman Solicitors, JL Designs, Melt Hair and Beauty, and Thriftify. Le Caoimhe Ní Chathail BAGaeilge agus Iriseoireacht, 2016 Aithnítear cara i gcruatan. B’shin a tharla siar in 1847 agus ansin arís in 2020. Tháinig Meiriceánaigh bhundúchasacha ón phobal Chachta i gcabhair ar mhuintir na hÉireann le linn an Ghorta Mhóir. Sheol siad $170 chuig teaghlaigh a bhí ag fáil bháis leis an ocras. Bhí siad féin i ndiaidh a bheith athlonnaithe ag rialtas Mheiriceá agus baill thréibe a chailleadh ach in ainneoin a streachailt féin, chuidigh siad le daoine i bhfad i gcéin a bhí i gcruachas. D’éirigh le muintir na hÉireann ansin glaoch cuidithe na bpobal bundúchasach Navachóch agus Hóipeach a fhreagairt anuraidh nuair a bhailigh siad na mílte dollar dóibh agus streachailt Covid 19 s’acu. Bhuail dhá thonn den choróinvíreas go trom iad agus an pobal soghabhálach i leith an ghalair mar gheall ar dhroch-bhonneagar agus bochtaineacht. Cuireadh tús le tiomsaitheoir airgid agus go dtí seo bailíodh beagnach 7 milliún go leath dollar chun tacú leo - Éireannaigh go mór i measc iad siúd a dheonaigh agus cuimhne den chuidiú a thug na bundúchasaigh don tír seo go fóill i gcroíthe s’acu. B’iomaí dream a bhualadh go trom de bharr na paindéime Covid 19 le bliain anuas ach go fóill féin, d’éirigh le fláithiúlacht agus cineáltas an chine daonna an lámh in uachtar a fháil ar an éadóchas. Domsa, is cinnte go seasann cairdeas na nÉireannach agus na mbundúchasach amach mar bhearta lách, atá fréamhaithe sa stair. Aithnítear cara buan i gcruatan, cinnte. Certified Proud Cara i gCruatan LiamRedmond (BAGaeilge agus Gnó, 2013) and Eve Kerton (BACommunication Studies, 2014) of Certified Proud Caoimhe Ní Chathail (BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht, 2016) Irish Broadcaster @CaoimheChats”