Celebrating with Pride at Booz Allen

Five years ago, Lacey Folta joined Booz Allen and the Pride employee community (PEC), the firm’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group. Today, she’s one of Booz Allen’s leads for the Capital Pride Festival in Washington, DC. The event brings hundreds of organizations and thousands of people to the city’s historic Pennsylvania Avenue, and it’s an integral part of the firm’s Pride Month activities.

Read on for highlights from Lacey’s journey, what the PEC has planned for this year, and why Booz Allen’s commitment—in June and year-round—means so much to her.

After years of working in national security for the federal government, Lacey wanted a change of pace. At Booz Allen, she found it—along with a welcoming community.

Lacey recalls the support and sense of inclusion she felt from Day One.

“Going from working inside a SCIF (sensitive compartmented information facility) every day to being remote was a big transition for me, as was learning the ins and outs of contracting as a whole,” she says. “So, it was great to have a new hire buddy.”

Her colleague happened to be part of PEC. “I started work in April, and he introduced me to one of the June Pride events,” she says. “I've been going ever since.”

Over time, Lacey became more involved in PEC, attracted to “how you can really live out loud, authentically.”

She also received encouragement from other Booz Allen employees, including the PEC Community Director, Steven Parker. “He just shepherded us along and has really pushed the community,” she says. “And once you’re a part of it, you can find opportunities to take on more responsibility.”

Lacey got involved in PEC marketing and communications, recruiting and mentoring others from her work team, and eventually assumed her current role organizing 2024 Pride activities.

This year, Booz Allen’s theme for Pride Month is “Empowering People with Pride." The firm has a variety of programs taking place during the parade and festival. “Pride Month is always a really fun time,” Lacey says.

The festival’s planned activities include a photo booth, Pride swag, and information sharing about Booz Allen’s employee communities. For those joining the parade, expect lots of flags, banners, temporary tattoos, face paint, and more.

June is packed with Pride-related events, including those in our Ohio, Missouri, and Colorado offices. There is also a virtual “Advocacy of LGBTQ+ Talent” event. And at Booz Allen’s marquee Pride Month event, “Living Your Authentic Self at Booz Allen,” a special panel of Booz Allen employees will talk about their personal experiences and share stories in the firm’s Bethesda office.

Lacey and her PEC team are also laying the groundwork for next year’s historic event: In 2025, the Capital Pride Alliance will host WorldPride. It will bring together members of the international LGBTQ+ community and celebrate 50 years of Pride in DC.

“BoozAllen actually helped bring the event to DC,” Lacey shares. “Members of the PEC worked on a pro bono project demonstrating the big economic impact Capital Pride has on the local community. And that contributed to DC successfully winning the bid.”

In Lacey’s view, supporting the pro bono project that garnered such a direct and positive impact on the DC Pride community was the greatest affirmation that Booz Allen celebrates its employees. “We are encouraged to bring our full selves to work, but that can just be lip service. To me, this shows that Booz Allen really does stand by and encourage all employees. I’m so proud to be a part of this company.”

Lacey praises Pride for creating “a safe space to really be who you are”—something she deeply appreciates.

“When I was engaged to get married, which was before I joined Booz Allen, I felt like I wasn’t able to really talk about it at work,” she remembers. “That wears on you after a while. There’s only so long that you can stay hidden and not embrace who you are.”

At Booz Allen, “my experience has been only positive,” she declares.

Lacey points to the prestigious Booz Allen Values in Practice (VIP) award she won earlier this year. Her wife accompanied her to the celebratory VIP event. “Everyone was so gracious and glad to meet her. It’s so refreshing to be accepted and celebrated for who you are,” says Lacey.