January 15, 2021
Washington, D.C. – The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce congratulates the Biden-Harris team for a hard-fought, well-won election in 2020, and welcomes Isabel Guzman as President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Through this nomination, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris proudly affirm an essential core value of the NGLCC: that we all deserve our shot at the American Dream, and that our economy only succeeds when it is available to all LGBT and allied Americans. This is especially true at time of urgent economic stimulus and small business recovery.
As SBA’s deputy chief of staff during the Obama administration, Isabel Guzman showed her dedication to ensuring that diverse small businesses have a seat at the table. She has helped small business owners in need during the pandemic by implementing a grant support program as Director of California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate. Her past experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur will enable her to better connect with LGBT business owners represented by the NGLCC in both their successes and in their times of need.In 2012, NGLCC and SBA signed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding, as well as a Strategic Alliance Memorandum, both directed at increasing access to education, funding, and certification opportunities for LGBT business owners. These opportunities included the Harvard University award-winning LGBT Business Builder national tour, as well as multiple high profile achievements being made by NGLCC Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers, including Equator Coffee & Teas named as SBA’s National Small Business of the Year. NGLCC looks forward to working closely with Guzman throughout her appointment to ensure that these goals continue to be carried out.
There are approximately 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses in the United States who generate more than $1.7 trillion dollars in annual economic impact. These small business owners drive economic development, create jobs, and build stronger communities, all despite the latent, and often outright hostile discrimination they continue to endure on account of their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT business owners are working in every major industry, including those regularly sought by federal procurement officials. The next step is to cement this next Congress’ and Administration’s legacy as the most pro-equality in our nation’s history through the affirmative inclusion of LGBT- owned small businesses (LGBTBEs) in federal procurement and subcontracting.
The NGLCC urges Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell to act swiftly in her confirmation so America’s diverse business owners can get back to doing what they do best: powering the American economy.
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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 advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses, known as Certified LGBTBEs®. www.nglcc.org @nglcc
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) 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, known as Certified LGBTBEs®. www.nglcc.org @nglcc
