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Despite an unsettled economy, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce announced that corporate memberships have continued to grow at an impressive pace throughout the second and third quarters of 2008. As the direct link between corporate America and LGBT businesses and entrepreneurs, NGLCC attributes its strong growth to continued work with leading corporations to provide opportunities and benefits that drive mutual benefits to its LGBT and allied business members.
"The NGLCC takes great pride in presenting a roster of more than 80 corporate partners, each recognized for leadership in LGBT inclusion among their respective industries," said Justin Nelson, NGLCC president and co-founder.
New companies showing their support of the LGBT business community and the NGLCC include Supervalu, McDonalds, Burger King, Cigna, Continental Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Levi Strauss, Cummins, Comcast, and Broadridge Financial Solutions.
"Each new partner has made a commitment to support the LGBT business community through their participation in various NGLCC programs, initiatives and signature events designed to expand economic opportunities for LGBT businesses, entrepreneurs, employees and allies," said Nelson.
Corporations are able to partner with the NGLCC through the LGBT Supplier Diversity Initiative, Chamber Development Initiative, Financial Services Program, and Women's Business Initiative as well as by becoming a Benefits Partner, Signature Event Sponsor or a General Corporate Member.
"We are proud of the newest additions to our growing family of NGLCC corporate partners. Now more than ever, this list shows that corporate America understands the importance of working with the LGBT and allied business community. We are proud to serve as the conduit to quality businesses and members," said Chance Mitchell, CEO and co-founder of the NGLCC.
Many of the NGLCC's new corporate partners have begun participating in the LGBT Supplier Diversity Initiative and are actively striving to include certified LGBT suppliers in their diverse supply chains. These companies understand that LGBT supplier diversity is vital to ensuring that a corporation's supply chain mirrors the diverse customer and employee base that it has, or wants to have.
"Working with the NGLCC is the next logical step in the evolution of a fully inclusive diversity strategy for any company that wants to stay competitive," said Michael Byron, Vice President of Supplier Diversity at Supervalu, one of NGLCC's corporate partners.
The NGLCC also welcomed Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP as the first law firm to participate in the LGBT Supplier Diversity Initiative. This partnership will pave the way for future firms to participate in the National Legal Partnership Program, a new NGLCC initiative that includes LBGT supplier diversity and participation on the NGLCC's National Legal Industry Council.
"This collaboration not only supports our firm by enriching the supply chain diversity that gives us a competitive edge, but it also ensures that our supply base looks like the associate and client base we have and the one we are trying to attract," said Helise Harrington, Diversity Partner at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.
The NGLCC looks forward to working with all new and future corporate partners. For detailed information on partnering with the NGLCC, please contact the NGLCC Corporate Relations Department at corporaterelations@nglcc.org or call (202) 234-9181.
