Why should your LGBT-owned business join the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce? For Rian Ismadia and Matthew Chess, co-owners of men’s fashion house Maris Equi, the answer was simple. “We joined the NGLCC because we wanted to be part of an organization where we can be with like-minded people,” said Ismadia. “We want to be a big organization that can be a workplace for people of the LGBTQ community and other diverse groups because we know what it's like to be discriminated against and want to be a positive force in this world.”

At NGLCC, we certify LGBT-owned businesses that operate in every industry you can imagine. As our planet’s climate crisis deepens in severity, the electric vehicle business is emerging as a field that is more important than ever. Portland-based EV EQUITY LLC, founded and certified this year, is a rising star in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions.

As June winds down to a close, we’re reflecting on this year’s Pride Month and how to keep uplifting our community throughout the rest of the year. We checked in with two of our wonderful NGLCC Affiliate Chambers to see how they celebrated and honored Pride this month!

Another round of the LGBT Sip & Pitch program took place with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) on June 12! Sip & Pitch is an event for LGBT business owners to present their business ideas, hear advice from corporate professionals and network over coffee and cocktails. Corporate Partner Shell partnered with NGLCC to present this event.