The NGLCC is proud to announce the brave and accomplished women and men who will be honored at this year's National Dinner: An Evening of Courage.
Each year the NGLCC awards the NGLCC/American Airlines ExtrAA Mile Award to an individual who has gone the distance for LGBT equality despite tremendous odds. This year, that individual is Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns.
At a time when bullying and suicides among LGBT youth are growing beyond imagination, Burns courageously shared his own experiences at a recent Fort Worth City Council meeting, where he discussed his struggles and desperation as a gay teen. Watch a video of his story here.
"Councilman Burns' story has touched the lives of so many LGBT people who share or have shared his struggles, and we hope this award shows him how much the NGLCC community appreciates his bravery," said Justin Nelson, NGLCC co-founder and president.
This year's Chamber of the Year Award goes to the North Texas GLBT Chamber for its tremendous growth and leadership over the years and continued strategic efforts in the areas of member services, economic growth, business advocacy and leadership development. Since receiving the NGLCC's Rising Star Award in 2005, the chamber has grown by 75 percent.
"Headed by great leaders, including President and CEO Tony Vedda, along with Board Chairman Derrick Brown, the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce ensures the LGBT business community has a seat at every table, working with other community organizations and community elected officials daily to bring economic equality and growth to North Texas' LGBT and allied community," said Chance Mitchell, co-founder and CEO of the NGLCC.
A founding NGLCC corporate partner, American Airlines, will receive the Corporation of the Year Award for its long history of supporting the LGBT community and LGBT suppliers. The company's supplier diversity team is proactive and dedicated in its efforts to work with LGBTBEs. Representatives of the company are actively engaged in NGLCC's programming and many hold leadership roles on NGLCC panels and subcommittees and serve on the NGLCC Corporate Advisory Council.
Beyond its active role with the NGLCC and its support of LGBT-owned businesses, American Airlines has earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) each year since the CEI's inception in 1994.
"The loyalty of American Airlines to the LGBT business community in the face of pressure from outside sources exemplifies American Airlines' ongoing commitment to the LGBT segment at large," Mitchell said.
Kristen Hickey, supplier diversity manager at Aetna, will be honored with the Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year Award for her continued advocacy for the LGBT business community. After serving on NGLCC councils and speaking at national and regional events about certification for years, Hickey's efforts have flourished this year—her support helped to expand the NGLCC's networks and she built professional development opportunities for LGBTBEs. As chair of the NGLCC Procurement Council's scholarship subcommittee, Hickey also launched a scholarship program for certified LGBTBEs to attend a Tuck Executive Education program with generous sponsorships from Aetna and Ernst & Young. She is currently developing additional scholarship opportunities for 2011 with the goal of increasing the capacity of LGBT businesses.
"As a result of Kristen's advocacy and the leadership of Aetna's president, Mark Bertolini, Aetna's team has demonstrated a robust commitment to diversity and inclusion," said Victoria Fulkerson, vice president of corporate relations and supplier diversity at the NGLCC.
The winner of the 2010 Courage in Business Award, NYSE Euronext has demonstrated its dedication to and support of the LGBT business community time and time again. In 2005, NYSE Euronext hosted the NGLCC at the Closing Bell—the first time an LGBT organization rang the bell in the nearly 225-year history of the Exchange—ensuring that the 120 million global viewers watching the bell ringing were introduced to the LGBT business community.
In 2007, NYSE Euronext hosted the NGLCC's Wall Street Tribute to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, which eventually grew into the NGLCC's annual Diversity and Leadership in Financial Services Awards event. NYSE Euronext teamed up with the NGLCC again in 2009 to host From Stonewall to Federal Hall: A Look at the Forty Years Since Stonewall, which included a second Closing Bell ceremony for the NGLCC, a diversity roundtable and a reception on the NYSE trading floor—the first time a gay pride flag or an LGBT organization's flag flew on the front of the building alongside the American flag.
"With more than 8,000 listed companies covering every major industry category, NYSE Euronext has not waivered once in its support of the NGLCC or its LGBT employees," Nelson said. "Their support and involvement just keep on growing and we are so pleased to honor them for their commitment at this year's dinner."
