August 14, 2019
Washington, DC – The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, is proud to announce the City of Tampa, FL has approved a policy to include NGLCC certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) companies in contracting and procurement opportunities, as well as capacity building and educational programs from small businesses throughout the city. For LGBT citizens of Tampa,, this inclusive policy provides fair and equal access to contracting opportunities and economic development programs that drive innovation, create jobs, and promote economic growth throughout the region.Openly LGBT Mayor Jane Castor made the announcement of her Executive Order onstage at the 2019 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference in Tampa, FL — the largest LGBT business event in the world.
This policy makes Tampa the second city in Florida to intentionally include LGBT-owned businesses in municipal contracting and procurement opportunities, a best practice of the private sector and of an ever-growing number of states and municipalities. This landmark policy for the City of Tampa was enacted thanks to the advocacy of NGLCC and its local affiliate chamber partner, the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, NGLCC, in collaboration with local affiliate chambers and advocacy leaders in California, enacted the first ever legislation that included Certified LGBTBE® companies in public sector opportunities (AB1678); that policy paved the way for this historic announcement and many more like it.
“Thanks to the collaboration between NGLCC and our local affiliate chamber, the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber, LGBT entrepreneurs in one of Florida’s largest and most inclusive cities will now have the opportunity to create jobs and develop innovations that benefit all who live there,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson. “Mayor Castor has declared Tampa os “open for business” with all diverse communities, and has affirmed that ‘if you can buy it, a Certified LGBTBE® can supply it.’ We are excited to see Certified LGBTBE® companies in every field from construction to catering and everything in between help grow the economy of Tampa and beyond.”
In 2018 and early 2019, NGLCC won the inclusion of Certified LGBTBE® companies in Orlando, FL; Nashville, TN; Baltimore, MD; Jersey City, NJ; and Hoboken, NJ, while also advancing statewide bills in New York and New Jersey. Currently, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania also include Certified LGBTBE® companies, along with major cities like Seattle, Newark, Columbus, and Philadelphia.
“Florida has always had one of the strongest networks of NGLCC Certified LGBTBE® companies and LGBT-owned companies, and Mayor Castor’s policy will bring Tampa to the forefront of economic opportunity statewide. We know this policy in Tampa will encourage more mayors and city councils to proactively include the LGBT community for the optimum social and economic health of their cities. Collectively, LGBT-owned businesses contribute to the $1.7 trillion dollars that the LGBT business community puts into the national economy. Progressive and inclusive leadership as we are seeing in Tampa and across the country will ensure greater access to the American Dream for every American,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & CEO Chance Mitchell.
NGLCC will announce the opening of the Tampa supplier portal for Certified LGBTBEs® in late August/September 2019.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this historic moment for Tampa to now recognize certified LGBT-Owned Businesses, and as only the third city in the south to do so. We are eager for our members to take advantage of new opportunities with the NGLCC and TBDCC, which offer many programs, business development trainings, and networking opportunities to further support LGBTBEs in Tampa,” said Justice Gennari, President & CEO, Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce
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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 LGBT Business Enterprises (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 LGBT Business Enterprises (Certified LGBTBEs®). www.nglcc.org @nglcc
