April 28, 2016
Washington, D.C. — The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community is proud to announce the addition of Northrop Grumman as NGLCC’s newest Corporate Partner. Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide.
This partnership is NGLCC’s first foray into the defense and aerospace industry and signals a major advancement for LGBT businesses in an expansive and highly competitive sector. NGLCC and its partners in the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC) recently honored Northrop Grumman as an inaugural 2016 Best-of-the-Best Corporation for Inclusion.
As part of this partnership, Northrop Grumman will sit on both the NGLCC Procurement Council and Corporate Advisory Council. NGLCC’s councils are the premier forums to exchange ideas regarding supplier diversity best practices; help create standards for how to do business with certified LGBT suppliers; and discuss emerging trends in diversity and inclusion. NGLCC corporate partners demonstrate their commitment to inclusion by completing the circle of diversity, which includes pro-LGBT workplace policies, authentic LGBT marketing, and purchasing from certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs).
“We are pleased to be partnered with NGLCC,” said Jaime Bohnke, vice president, corporate supply chain, Northrop Grumman Corporation. “Northrop Grumman is committed to diversity and inclusion in our workforce and we actively seek to work with a diverse supplier base that includes small, disadvantaged, minority, veteran-owned and LGBT companies. Suppliers are critical to our success.”
During government fiscal year 2015 Northrop Grumman subcontracted more than $7.5 billion to a broad base of approximately 9,500 suppliers. The company subcontracted more than 37 percent, or $2.68 billion, to small business suppliers. Northrop Grumman has met and exceeded the 23 percent small business statutory goals for more than 10 consecutive years and has received recognition and numerous awards for its global supplier diversity programs.
By partnering with NGLCC, Northrop Grumman joins NGLCC’s ever-growing roster of Fortune 500 corporations and business organizations seeking to expand economic opportunities with LGBT businesses.
“Northrop Grumman is a global leader in aerospace and defense, so it makes sense that they would seek out diverse entrepreneurs and actively make their corporate culture welcoming to a rich array of employees with diverse backgrounds,” said Justin Nelson, NGLCC Co-Founder and President. “This partnership also shows that there is no one-type of LGBT business owner. By having LGBT businesses actively working in this industry, we send a strong message that helps breakdown old stereotypes about LGBT people. This really is the next frontier.”
“In 2012, NGLCC was present at the White House when President Obama signed the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. This historic moment signaled that gay, bisexual, lesbian, and hopefully soon transgender Americans could serve their country openly and honorably.” said Chance Mitchell, NGLCC Co-Founder and CEO.
In 2015, Northrop Grumman earned a top score on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
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About National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce:
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 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 MEDIA CONTACT:
Jonathan D. Lovitz
Vice President of External Affairs, NGLCC
954.695.5896
Northrop Grumman Media Contact:
Mark Root
Northrop Grumman Corporation
703-280-2739 (office)
571-425-2132 (mobile)
Access this press release as a PDF here.
