On July 28th, the final day of the Democratic National Convention, NGLCC, in partnership with the DNC LGBT Caucus, hosted a star-studded celebration in honor of the historic Democratic nominee for President of the United States and the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and the Democratic National Committee to include Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® companies as suppliers for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. The DNC has fundamentally raised the visibility of, and opportunities for, our community’s leaders and voices. The keynote remarks of the evening were presented by the Honorable Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the House Democratic Leader and first female Speaker of the House in United States history. She spoke of the DNC’s leadership in all areas of diversity, especially LGBT— and presented all attendees with her signature LGBT pride rainbow armbands.
Just as the DNC has tirelessly worked to make sure the party and its convention looks like the richly diverse nation it represents, it has also lead the way in ensuring all Americans have the opportunity to offer their goods and services to make the DNC in Philadelphia the best possible convention. In their opening remarks, NGLCC President Justin Nelson & CEO Chance Mitchell applauded the DNC for including NGLCC Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers alongside all other diverse communities in the supply chains that make this incredible convention happen. The DNC is helping prove some of the most important beliefs of the NGLCC: that equality is good for business, and that being out & being successful never have to be mutually exclusive.
A special award and recognition was given to Earl Fowlkes, Chair of the DNC LGBT Caucus, who has championed the inclusion of LGBT businesses in the DNC for 2016 and beyond. He announced that no less than four major contracts have gone to Certified LGBTBE® suppliers at this historic convention. Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI), the only Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® in Congress, addressed the crowd at the Comcast Center highlighting the work of NGLCC in creating positive momentum for the LGBT business community moments before joining all other out LGBT members of Congress on the main stage of the Convention.
Special remarks were given by Comcast’s Executive Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer, David L. Cohen. He addressed the importance of being a corporate member of NGLCC and how that partnership helps corporations meet their diversity commitments, including supply chain diversity. He also recognized the highly successful launch of NBC OUT in June— the first major news network to feature an all-LGBT news vertical. NGLCC is proud to regularly supply LGBT business content and economic news commentary.
Darren Criss & Diana Agron, two young stars best known for the hit series GLEE, shared a few words about lending their voices to inspire their generation in support of Hillary Clinton. These quadruple threats– actors, singers, dancers, and now political influencers– are helping all of us connect the messages of inclusivity and opportunity that DNC is all about to the incredibly important millennial audience.
Read the full press release on this special event at: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/landmark-lgbt-celebration-to-be-thrown-at-2016-democratic-national-convention-in-philadelphia-by-national-gay–lesbian-chamber-of-commerce-300303066.html
See photos and video from the celebration on our NGLCC Facebook page: www.facebook.com/nglcc
