NGLCC Sip & Pitch Fridays | July 17, 2020
July 30 | By Sarah Jester
The NGLCC Sip & Pitch Fridays program is a chance for LGBT business owners to informally present their business to a panel of experts and their fellow business owners for positive, constructive feedback and new ideas. On July 17, attendees from across the country gathered virtually to listen to six business pitches and engage in constructive conversations. The Sip & Pitch Presenting Partner of this week was NGLCC Corporate Partner Southern California Edison, represented by Tarrance Frierson, Head of Supplier Diversity and Development.
Maris Equi: Making Waves in Men’s Swimwear
July 2 | By Sarah Jester
Why should your LGBT-owned business join the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce? For Rian Ismadia and Matthew Chess, co-owners of men’s fashion house Maris Equi, the answer was simple.
“We joined the NGLCC because we wanted to be part of an organization where we can be with like-minded people,” said Ismadia. “We want to be a big organization that can be a workplace for people of the LGBTQ community and other diverse groups because we know what it's like to be discriminated against and want to be a positive force in this world.”
Affiliate Pride: Celebrating the LGBT+ Community Across America
June 29 | By Sarah Jester
As June winds down to a close, we’re reflecting on this year’s Pride Month and how to keep uplifting our community throughout the rest of the year. We checked in with two of our wonderful NGLCC Affiliate Chambers to see how they celebrated and honored Pride this month!
NGLCC Corporate Partnership Growth Accelerates in 2020, Demonstrating Leadership in a Crisis
April 17 | By Jason Vita
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce has continued to strengthen economic impact in light of the economic uncertainty spanning from the rise of COVID-19 around the globe by expanding on the number of corporations joining the chamber as corporate partners. The private sector has stepped up to the plate in light of the pandemic and has doubled down on supporting supplier diversity and D&I initiatives as business imperatives to stay strong together during this crisis. NGLCC has welcomed 11 new corporate partners in the first fiscal quarter of 2020.
Supporting Yourself and Others During COVID-19
March 25 | By Sarah Jester
We’re currently facing down an unprecedented crisis. It can be quite easy to lose sight of one’s goals and aspirations when the whole world seems to be turning upside down as a result of the spread of COVID-19. However, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the LGBT community has overcome significant challenges in the past. We have persevered through the power of community itself. We know how to take care of each other when times get tough, and this time is no different.
Professionals in Advocacy and Programming: Washington State's LGBTQ & Allied Chamber of Commerce
March 2 | By Sarah Jester
Washington State's LGBTQ & Allied Chamber of Commerce (GSBA) has made major changes for the LGBT business community since it was founded in 1991, before the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce even existed!
Vice President of Membership & Programs Ilona Lohrey is proud of the many accomplishments made by the chamber, especially those relating to its programming and advocacy work.
GayRealEstate.com: LGBT Acceptance in the Real Estate Industry
February 12 | By Sarah Jester
We often have to trust strangers when faced with big life decisions, including buying a home for the first time. Jeff Hammerberg, founder of GayRealEstate.com, is committed to making that process more comfortable and welcoming for members of the LGBT community. After witnessing an instance of homophobia while working at a real estate company, Hammerberg decided that he’d seen enough.
Breaking Barriers: Indy Translations & Language Center
January 29 | By Sarah Jester
In the digital age, barriers to communication between people across the globe decrease every day. However, language barriers can still be difficult to break down. That’s where Certified LGBTBE® Indy Translations & Language Center, founded by William Zart, comes into the picture.
“I was working as a Spanish and Portugese translator in the International Department of a large insurance company, [while] my partner was working as a real estate broker,” said Zart. “We decided to create the company together in 1997, combining his business acumen with my language skills.”
