June 9, 2017
Washington, DC – The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, is proud to welcome the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce to the national network of NGLCC Local Affiliate Chambers.
As a Local Affiliate Chamber, the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce will work closely with NGLCC and the Affiliate Chamber Council to expand economic opportunities for LGBT-owned businesses throughout Maryland. The Chamber will be joining a region of eight Local Affiliate Chambers in the Northeast Corridor that promote economic opportunities for the LGBT community through local business connections and nationwide Supplier Diversity programs and support nearly 1,000 Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) companies across the nation.
“When we founded NGLCC in 2002, we partnered with 17 LGBT chambers around the nation to support LGBT businesses. Now as we celebrate NGLCC’s 15th Anniversary this year, we are excited for the MDLGBT Chamber of Commerce to join our 48 U.S. and 13 International Affiliate Chambers as we continue to grow and strengthen the LGBT economy,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson. “I am confident that our newest affiliate chamber will provide invaluable support for Maryland’s LGBT business community as it continues to grow in the coming years.”
“At the heart of all we accomplish at the NGLCC is our extensive network of local affiliate chambers across the nation,” said NGLCC Senior Vice President Sam McClure. “I am very pleased to welcome the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce into that network and continue to build support for LGBT business owners in the Northeast corridor.”
Founded by local advocates Betsy Cerulo and David Imre, the MDLGBT Chamber strives to empower and promote LGBT professionals in the Maryland and surrounding marketplace. Located in Baltimore, MD, the Chamber will offer networking opportunities, support business development efforts within the LGBT community, and provide educational programming to its members. The Chamber will work closely with government and private sector leaders to drive change and accelerate the growth of the Maryland economy.
“Maryland’s proximity to the nation’s capital has allowed this state to be a leader in much of the LGBT community’s progress. I am so excited to partner with NGLCC as we carry that momentum into the LGBT business community,” said Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce Co-Founder and President Betsy Cerulo. “By certifying LGBT-owned business and expanding the economic opportunities available to them, the Maryland Chamber will increase the visibility of LGBT individuals and promote much-needed equality across the board.”
Information on the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce can be found at: http://www.mdlgbt.org
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ABOUT NGLCC
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 Lovitz
Senior Vice President
jlovitz@nglcc.org @jdlovitz
954-695-5896
