The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce® (NGLCC) has been getting some face time with LGBT business owners.
As part of its Coffee Connection Series, the NGLCC has been meeting with business owners and members of its affiliate chambers across the country, informing them about how the NGLCC's Supplier Diversity Initiative (SDI) can help to connect LGBT-owned businesses with America's top corporations for contracting opportunities.
"It has been great to meet face-to-face with members of the NGLCC's affiliate chambers who are interested in expanding their business and networking opportunities by engaging in the Supplier Diversity Initiative," said Victoria Fulkerson, director of supplier diversity and corporate relations at the NGLCC.
In a meeting with members of the Long Beach Community Business Network earlier this month, Fulkerson discussed how businesses can become certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs) through the SDI program.
In a Coffee Connection Series event held at the NGLCC's office in Washington, D.C. earlier this week, the NGLCC staff spoke with LGBT business owners, some of which are members of the Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, about the SDI program and its benefits.
"The Coffee Connections hosted at the office was a great success," said Jeremy Fegley, manager-certification specialist in the NGLCC's supplier diversity and corporate relations departments. "We had a wonderful turnout and it was great to share our work with the local community."
The NGLCC's chief of staff and director of affiliate relations, Kate Karasmeighan, met with LGBT-owned businesses to discuss how they can become certified at an Indianapolis Rainbow Chamber of Commerce LGBTBE certification symposium. During a morning session at the symposium, representatives from Central Indiana corporations with LGBT-friendly workplaces and policies learned about LGBT certification and had an opportunity to meet with LGBT business owners.
