Monday, January 14, 2019
Washington, DC — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, congratulates Five North Chocolate, a New York-based Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) which has included the NGLCC Certified Business Enterprise logo on its packaging following a recent packaging refresh. This will be the first time a consumer will be able to see the NGLCC logo on a product available store shelves across the country.
“Entrepreneurs are tasked with creating value for consumers,” said Five North Chocolate Founder Ben Conard. “And as a social entrepreneur, I feel tasked with creating value for consumers, the people in their lives, and the world. To be fortunate enough to share powerful messages through an emotional product like chocolate, I feel responsible to represent my community and values in the most positive and productive ways possible. By featuring the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce seal on our packaging, I hope to inspire consumers to exercise their values every time they shop!”
Consumers are more likely to support businesses that mirror their values. With over $917 billion in spending power, the LGBT community exercises immense economic influence. In fact, three out of four LGBT consumers have reported making purchasing decisions based upon the public support for the community of the brand. Tapping into the spending power of the LGBT community and its allies by prominently featuring LGBT ownership is a powerful resource for a growing small business in a competitive market.
“Five North Chocolate has been an incredible example of what being loud and proud about being a Certified LGBTBE® can do for a growing LGBT-owned business, and we’re thrilled to have Five North Chocolate feature its Certified LGBTBE® certification on its packaging,” said NGLCC President and Co-Founder Justin Nelson. “We hope other LGBT-owned businesses will follow Five North Chocolate’s example of tapping into the world of resources NGLCC can offer.”
By becoming a Certified LGBTBE®, LGBT-owned businesses like Five North Chocolate are able to market their verified LGBT-owned status, build relationships with America’s leading corporations, generate prospective business and clients, and collectively team with each other for contracting opportunities. As corporate America becomes more inclusive and further diversifies its supply chain, certification offers the opportunity for LGBT-owned businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Visit nglcc.org/get-certified to learn more.
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ABOUT NGLCC:
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global not-for-profit 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
ABOUT FIVE NORTH CHOCOLATE:
Located five degrees north of the equator, West Africa grows more than 2/3 of the world’s cacao. At Five North Chocolate®, we’re committed to creating healthy Fair Trade Certified™ snacks, empowering farmers, and celebrating diversity! Five North is an award-winning Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) and 2016 Clinton Global Initiative University Commitment to Action. https://fivenorthchocolate.com/
NGLCC MEDIA CONTACT:
Jonathan Lovitz
Senior Vice President, NGLCC
202.234.9181
press@nglcc.org
