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NGLCC has surpassed a landmark milestone of 2,000 Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers nationwide! The LGBTQ+ business community has grown significantly over the last two decades, with LGBTBE certification giving entrepreneurs an advantage to succeed in a competitive business environment, often mixed with a tumultuous economy. 

“When we launched NGLCC in 2002, too few corporate leaders and government executives in America had considered the significant impact of LGBTQ+ people on the nation’s economy,” said Justin Nelson, Co-Founder & President of NGLCC. “Now, with nearly 450 Fortune 500 corporate partners, 53 domestic affiliate chambers, 27 global chambers, and over 2,000 certified businesses, our voices and success stories are finally being heard and accepted.”

Thanks to increased resources and opportunities, Certified LGBTBE® suppliers stay in business for over twice as long as the average American small business. The LGBTQ community spends more than $917 billion every year on goods and services, and they are more than 75% likely to change brands when they know they are LGBTQ-inclusive or owned. As entrepreneurs continue to obtain and advertise their LGBTBE certification, LGBTQ+ businesses stand to become go-to suppliers of products and services in their communities. 

We’re partnering with JPMorgan Chase & Co. to offer free Chase for Business educational courses designed to help LGBTQ entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. From navigating your cash flow to marketing in a digital world, these guided sessions focus on addressing immediate and long-term financial needs and building resiliency.

Our upcoming session on April 13, "Navigating Your Cashflow," will cover how to use cash flow to maximize your business’s success:

• Visualizing a year of cash inflows and outflows to identify opportunities for improvement
• Analyzing your inventory and vendor relationships to decrease unnecessary expenses
• Communicating with customers to effectively collect payments and broaden your base
• Navigating slow times in your sales cycle throughout the year

Following "Navigating Your Cashflow," join us on April 27 for The Power of Capital at 1pm ET! The session will cover how to fuel the growth of your business, including topics such as:

• Understanding the different capital options for your business
• Determining what financial data is important
• Recognizing your credit options
• Confirming when your business needs to borrow

We would like to invite you to enlist as the next wave of action to end HIV by joining the NGLCC and the Health Action Alliance on Thursday, April 20, from 2-3pm ET, for a virtual National Employers Summit to End HIV and hear from corporate and public health leaders on more opportunities for companies to accelerate progress against HIV.

The Health Action Alliance launched U.S. Business Action to End HIV with the belief that the private sector could bring unique expertise and momentum to the national mission to dramatically reduce the number of new cases by the end of the decade. Since the coalition’s launch in December, member companies have already created innovative initiatives to address the inequities in HIV treatment and prevention. 

You and your company can be a part of the next wave of progress and innovation. Click below for more details and registration.

Registration for NGLCC's Food & Beverage Council and Hospitality Services Virtual B2B & B2C Matchmakers is now open! These B2B & B2C matchmakers are geared for LGBTQ-owned businesses. Multi-Industries will be participating, including Marketing, F&B, Events, Hospitality Services, and more.

Eligible certified suppliers are invited to join this upcoming virtual edition of NGLCC Matchmakers on Monday, April 24, 2023 from 11am-1pm ET & 3–5pm ET.

Have questions about the event? Interested in registering? Contact [email protected] for details!

How far ahead does your vision stretch when it comes to your company’s future? Planning for the future of your business can be a daunting and emotional task, but it is essential for business owners to have directives in place, even if they are not nearing retirement. LGBTQ business owners may have unique circumstances to consider, including those based on familial norms, making a strong succession plan even more necessary.

Join the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) for this important educational session to better protect you, your business, and your legacy on April 26, 2023, from 2pm - 3:30pm ET on Zoom.

This event is open to members of the NGLCC community. Questions about the Succession Planning Workshop series or this particular event? Contact [email protected]!

Join us for the next NGLCC LGBT Sip & Pitch Friday on April 28 at 3:30pm ET! Sip & Pitch is a chance to informally present your business to a panel of experts and your fellow business owners for positive, constructive feedback and new ideas. Although these are mock pitches, these programs are a tremendous opportunity for NGLCC community businesses to enjoy:

- No-cost constructive feedback to help you improve your pitch

- Judgment-free, safe-space for you to practice your pitch

- See and be seen by representatives from NGLCC Corporate Partners and fellow Certified LGBTBE® companies seeking your goods & services

- Learn what other NGLCC Certified LGBTBE® suppliers do

CLICK HERE to apply to pitch at this event or at a future Sip & Pitch. Remember: You do not need to present a pitch to join us! Click here to learn more about NGLCC Sip & Pitch and stay tuned for upcoming programs.

Join us for an introduction to international trade and learn how the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the U.S. Commercial Service and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are helping small businesses begin their export journey and increase their international sales.

Each year, thousands of U.S. companies boost their bottom line and competitiveness by meeting world demand for innovative, quality, U.S. products and services. This webinar will focus on how U.S. firms can gain greater market access by exporting and what to consider to ensure your company is ready to conduct business internationally. Topics will include:

• Discussions to be had before “going global”
• How to begin developing international business strategies
• The U.S. Commercial Service’s Global Diversity Export Initiative
• Resources from the SBA for new-to-export companies

It's time for you to receive the roadmap to becoming the visionary CEO you are meant to be! At SCALEit Live, you will spend 3 transformative days receiving direction from the top business experts worldwide so you can build a ‘recession proof’ plan to scale your company and live your best life!

NGLCC partner Pinnacle Global Network is offering NGLCC members a Gifted Ticket to attend this dynamic conference! Use code "DB" at registration, pay a discounted 'Hold the Seat Fee,' and Pinnacle will refund the full amount after you attend the event.

This event is for CEOs and Founders generating between $500k up to 9 figures at their company. SCALEit welcomes companies from all industries, with all types of products, programs and services. Reserve your spot for SCALEit Live below!

"The data is in — the percentage of Americans that identify as part of the LGBTQ community has doubled over the last decade. This February, Gallup reported that LGBTQ individuals make up around 7.2% of the total U.S. population, with more and more Americans coming out and into their true selves. Around 8.8% of LGBTQ adults, or 0.6% of the total U.S. adult population, now identify as transgender, meaning as a gender identity that is different from their sex assigned at birth.

"I’m reflecting on what my pronouns mean to me three years after coming out as nonbinary. Pronouns mean visibility. Opportunity. Community. Comfort. Insight. As a deeply androgynous person, I appreciate the flexibility that “they/them” pronouns offer me as I make decisions on how to present myself to the world each day. I feel an automatic kinship with people that ask me to share my pronouns with them, or when I meet someone who uses the same set of pronouns as I do."

Read more from NGLCC's Senior Manager of Digital Media, Sarah Jester, on what their pronouns mean to them below.

Upskill your older workers and improve your business – for free! Older workers who are living with low income and looking for greater financial security must be prepared to develop new skills or improve the skills they already have. The AARP Foundation Upskilling Initiative provides small- to medium-sized companies with an opportunity to upskill their lower-earning workers who are over 50.

The training is free and AARP Foundation handles all program administration. We only ask that the employer provide a guaranteed wage increase in return.

This initiative will provide new benefits for business members and simultaneously provide a pathway to economic security and mobility for workers over 50 who are living with low income.

Questions? Contact [email protected].