Beto M.

Subscription Services Care Advisor

Last November, I had the chance to join a group of Toasters in Austin, Texas at the AfroTech Conference. AfroTech is a conference and web platform that brings together founders and employees of tech companies to talk through tactics and strategy, culture building, and so much more. AfroTech is hosted by Blavity, home to the largest network of platforms and lifestyle brands serving the multifaceted lives of Black millennials.

The conference sessions were empowering, motivational, and just downright energetic. There were options for everyone- there were main stage sessions, where we heard from key leaders in the industry. If you were looking for a more intimate session, there were also “Ask Me Anythings,” where participants could drive the conversations in directions that matter to them. The networking was also unparalleled thanks to the different mixers. Aside from that, the entertainment options were great. We got to hear from many different musicians that kept the energy going! 

Attending the conference gave me the opportunity to spend time with other Toasters who I hadn’t met before. I joined Toast about a year and half ago as a member of the Networking team in Omaha. Recently, I was promoted into a Subscription Services Care Advisor position, and began meeting coworkers in person after our new Omaha office opened. It has been wonderful to see actual faces that I had only seen on Slack before!

Attending the conference was just another example of how relationships that started over technology became much more tangible in person. I had the chance to meet other Toasters from all across the US. The highlight of the event was the Toast dinner and being able to connect with my great co-workers. The camaraderie was instant and widespread!

At Toast, fostering an environment of inclusion and belonging is incredibly important for all of us, and it comes to life in many different ways. It’s not uncommon for employees to be encouraged to attend events as a member of the community or as an ally. At the AfroTech Conference, I attended as a member of the Pumpernickel&Rye Community- a space for Black and African American Toasters. We have 15 Toast Communities, our version of employee resources groups. Toast Communities have executive sponsors, budgets, and leadership boards that manage programming, host events, and influence the overall employee experience. Our Toast CAFE (Council of Advocates For Equity) is made up of Toasters across the business who champion our DEI strategy and leverage their combined perspectives and partnerships to enrich the Toast experience for all, across our business strategy and company culture. 

I appreciate that Toast allows and supports our personal and professional growth. It is not something I have had in the past so it is a pleasant surprise, and one of the reasons I see myself being with Toast for a long time.