August 21, 2018
Washington, D.C. – The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, recognized excellence in local chambers on August 16 at the 2018 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference in Philadelphia. Commendations were awarded for Excellence in Programming and Community Impact.
“As we celebrate our largest and most expansive NGLCC Conference yet, we are thrilled to celebrate the continued outstanding work accomplished by our growing network of local affiliate chambers,” said Justin Nelson, NGLCC Co-Founder & President. “Without the leadership and passion of these chambers, NGLCC would not be able to effectively promote the LGBT business community. We are proud to acknowledge these thriving organizations with these awards at our Conference, and promote their achievements throughout the year.”
Each year, the Excellence in Programming, Community Impact, and Communication distinctions are awarded to affiliate chambers that contribute superior efforts in furthering the LGBT business equality movement in these categories. Recipients execute the most outstanding programming and initiatives that further NGLCC’s mission to advance the economic opportunities for the nation’s 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses and the more than $1.7 trillion dollars they add to the United States’ GDP.
NGLCC presented excellence awards to the following chambers:
Excellence in Programming
Atlanta LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Independence Business Alliance (IBA)
Excellence in Community Impact
MBA Orlando
Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
NGLCC also distinguishes two affiliate chambers every year as the Chamber of the Year and the Rising Star Chamber. The Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce was recognized at the Conference at the 2018 NGLCC Rising Star Chamber. The Rising Star Award honors a chamber that has exhibited new vitality and relevance in their local LGBT business community and demonstrated a commitment to the broader national movement. The 2018 NGLCC Chamber of the Year will be announced at the 2018 NGLCC National Dinner in Washington, DC on November 16, 2018.
The conference also showcased a presentation of NGLCC/Wells Fargo Chamber Development Grants for NGLCC affiliate chambers. Funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and administered by NGLCC, grants are targeted towards programs that foster the development, growth, and sustainability of Certified LGBT Businesses Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers.
NGLCC Local Affiliate Chambers applied for available grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support and expand upon the success of an existing program benefiting the NGLCC’s Certified LGBTBE® suppliers. Applications were judged based on overall chamber strength, growth in members and community presence, engagement with NGLCC and the LGBT Supplier Diversity Initiative, the strength of the program, and outlined goals and metrics.
“We are extremely proud of our long-standing partnership with Wells Fargo. They have been an incredible supporter of our programs and initiatives and I am thrilled to bring this opportunity to our affiliate chambers,” said Justin Nelson, NGLCC Co-Founder & President. “Wells Fargo has been with us from the beginning and their commitment to helping the LGBT business community is underscored by this exciting grant program.”
NGLCC and Wells Fargo awarded grants to the following local chambers in 2018:
Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Central Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Greater Seattle Business Association
Independence Business Alliance
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
MBA Orlando
Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce
Portland Area Business Association
Quorum: The Minnesota LGBT & Allied Business Community
Raleigh LGBT Chamber of Commerce (RBPN)
San Diego Equality Business Association
Three Rivers Business Alliance
“NGLCC local affiliate chambers are the backbone of the LGBT business equality movement,” said Chance Mitchell, NGLCC Co-Founder and CEO. “The chambers that we recognized at Conference go above and beyond to guide and develop their local LGBT business communities.”
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ABOUT NGLCC:The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses.
www.nglcc.org | @NGLCC
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jonathan Lovitz
Senior Vice President
954-695-5896
