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The Big Apple's LGBT entrepreneurs have been energetically embracing the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce's New York affiliate since its official launch in June.
Kate Karasmeighan, NGLCC's director of affiliate relations, says she isn't surprised corporations and small businesses are lining up to join. After all, the sprawling metropolis has lacked a central business forum dedicated exclusively to LGBT business procurement and business issues.
"Apart from being America's financial hub, New York may well be its diversity capital," Karasmeighan says. "The city has a huge LGBT community that's exceptionally involved in the business and nonprofit worlds. The city's thousands of LGBT corporate and small business professionals want to connect with their peers through a broad-based business forum."
Karasmeighan says that despite the ongoing turmoil in the financial services sector, which has taken its toll on the economy, New Yorkers are taking it all in stride.
"I don't think we can 'guesstimate' just how bad things are going to get, but this isn't the first time the city's faced a major financial crisis," she adds.
NGLCCNY's mission is to help LGBT business owners and their allies thrive in tough financial times like these by opening doors to corporate America and government opportunities.
In addition, to promote LGBT businesses in the city government's procurement process, the chamber is reaching out to the mayor's office as well as Christine Quinn, the first out lesbian speaker of the New York City Council.
NGLCCNY also boasts of a number of Industry Development Councils, which consists of members representing various sectors. These councils are charged with identifying and recruiting new members from their respective fields along with planning networking opportunities and industry-specific professional development sessions.
Councils have been established in a host of different industries, including law, health care, financial services, public relations and marketing, real estate, nonprofit and government. Councils also exist for the fashion and design, media, travel, small business and hospitality industries.
For more information, go to the NGLCCNY Web site.
