2002

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce – now known as the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce – was established when Justin Nelson and Chance Mitchell realized no one had considered the economic equality of LGBTQ2+ people or the impact economics could have on the equality movement. The two co-founders sought to showcase LGBTQ2+ people were business owners, employers, taxpayers, providers of healthcare – that they were a vibrant, essential part of the small business engine that makes the U.S. economy run and therefore, deserved a place at the equality table. Their goal was to create an organization that could support LGBTQ2+ business owners and showcase the diversity of talent in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. NGLCC has succeeded in large part due to an amazing team and board combined with the caliber of the businesses, corporate partners and individuals that have become involved over the years.