August 2024


MDGLCC

Greater Miami LGBT Chamber of Commerce

President’s Newsletter

August 2024

 

Dear Greater Miami LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce members and future MDGLCC’ers,



Welcome to August in Greater Miami...a month known for the “great programming pause” as we let our government leaders prepare their budgets for next year, parents and students get ready for the new school term, and we hide inside from the heat (which seems to get more intense each year). This is also the month we begin watching the tropics in earnest. We all know the prognostications have been mostly alarming. We have already had some serious flooding incidents from 2 previous storms. As in previous newsletters, I try to convey important themes happening at MDGLCC and provide information and opportunities not covered in our other newsletters. 

 

This August, we look forward to some great MDGLCC Programming events, call attention to some educational and financial opportunities available from our partners, and make sure you are ready should storms head our way and wreak havoc. 

 

Hurricane Preparedness


As we approach hurricane season, it is crucial for all businesses to have a solid preparedness plan in place. Ensure your emergency supplies are stocked, review your insurance policies, and communicate with your employees about safety protocols. Here is a link to the Miami-Dade County Hurricane Preparedness Guide - Prepare


MDGLCC will be there after the storm with resources and information to help you get back on your feet! See below for some great information on disaster preparedness from the SBA.


Support Certified LGBTBE Businesses



One of the important benefits from membership in MDGLCC is access to certification (and your $900 application fee is waived). Thanks to a Wells Fargo NGLCC grant, we will be providing information and training around certification and the many opportunities that door opens. This month and next, we will kick off two certification workshops where will be discuss the benefits and process of getting certified. 


We encourage all members to support our certified LGBTBE’s (LGBT Business Enterprise). By choosing to work with these businesses, you not only help to strengthen our community but also promote diversity and inclusion in the marketplace. Let’s uplift and showcase our certified members by highlighting their services and contributions.


Educational Resources for Small Business


The Chamber is committed to providing valuable educational resources for small businesses. Of the many programs available, the ICCC (see below) is amazing and provides no-cost small business education and mentorship (as well as access to capital)…thank you, Regions Bank!


Through the end of this year, we will be offering webinars on financial management, marketing strategies, and legal considerations for entrepreneurs. Watch your weekly PluggedIN for information and to register and access these resources designed to help your business thrive.


Upcoming Chamber Programming


Mark your calendars! We have an exciting lineup of events this month and next, including networking mixers, panel discussions, and our 2nd State of Our Community-Focus on Tourism luncheon (September 19th). These events are great opportunities to connect with fellow members, share experiences, and grow your business network.


Check our events calendar for specific dates and details.


As always, be safe, stay informed, and have a great August!


P.S. NGLCC Conference was once again, AMAZING. We had over 25 attendees from our Miami Contingent in attendance (see some photos below). We will be sure to recap in a future communication.



Let's Chat

Miami Cohort to the 2024 NGLCC Summit, Palm Springs, CA

Federal Reserve's 2024 Small Business Credit Survey

Are you interested in contributing to work that helps shed light on the experiences of small businesses?

 

You would help

 

Small businesses

  • This survey model enables us to reach businesses that other surveys often miss, including rural, startup, women-owned, and minority-owned firms. When more small businesses have a say, what we learn about small businesses is more accurate and actionable.

Your organization

  • All partners that draw at least 50 responses will receive individualized reports so they can compare the experiences of businesses in their networks with the national sample. Partner organizations have used the data from their reports for strategic planning and to advocate for funding for their communities and members.

The US economy

  • Feedback and timely insights from small businesses support service providers, policymakers, lenders, and, ultimately, the health of our economy. This survey generates the largest national dataset of its kind.
Learn More

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Florida

Administrator Guzman made the loans available in response to a letter from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on June 28 requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. Businesses and residents in the declared area can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA.

 

The declaration covers Broward and Miami-Dade counties and the adjacent counties of Collier, Hendry, Monroe and Palm Beach in Florida.

 

All affected and qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

 

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

 

Loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

 

For your review, I have attached a copy of SBA fact sheet with the information on the disaster assistance available under this declaration.

 

The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Florida with the most effective and customer focused response possible to assist businesses of all sizes, homeowners, and renters with federal disaster loans,” said Guzman. “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

 

To assist businesses and residents affected by the disaster, the SBA opened Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC’s), in Broward County and Miami-Dade County. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Disaster Recovery Center in advance. DLOC Centers might change schedules and close for federal holidays or close permanently until further notice.


To apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information visit sba.gov/disaster. Visit the MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov to apply for a disaster assistance loan. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov  for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

 

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is August 30, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 1, 2025.

Click to Learn More

Focus Groups & Research Study on LGBTQ+ Health

In CommUNITY is a research project dedicated to making life better for LGBTQ+ folks in Miami-Dade, focusing on improved healthcare access, overall quality of life, and inclusivity. Get involved by taking a survey and participating in focus groups!


We have three action committees focusing on 1) improving healthcare access and quality, 2) improving social services and community spaces, and 3) enhancing data infrastructure and systems for the LGBTQ+ community.


If you're passionate about contributing to these vital areas, email LGBTQHealth@urbanhp.org to express your interest in joining an action committee today!


Through funding provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)'s ComPASS funding, In CommUNITY pioneers community-led research, focusing on Miami-Dade's LGBTQ+ population. Through tailored interventions, community-engaged research, and an innovative data dashboard, In CommUNITY strives for equitable healthcare access and enhanced quality of life, fostering better health outcomes and lasting social change. 


Project Partners: Urban Health Partnerships, University of Miami, University of Florida, SAVE Foundation, & the Health Council of South Florida


This research study is supported by the NIH Common Fund under award number 1OT2OD035935-01.


Questions? Please email LGBTQHealth@urbanhp.org or call (786) 224-2309.

Click to Learn More

Greater Miami LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce

Advocacy Platform

Our mission is to promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity in the business community in Florida. We are dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ-owned businesses, supporting the development of inclusive DEI programs, and striving for gender pay parity. We also support the national advocacy efforts as an affiliate chamber of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).


Click to View the key components of our platform.

Click to View

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: VSBDR Pilot Program

We are thrilled to announce that Miami has been chosen as a pilot city for the NGLCC and Verizon Small Business Digital Ready (VSBDR) Program!


Help MDGLCC Reach Our GOAL!!!


As part of this initiative, NGLCC has set a goal for MDGLCC, The Greater Miami LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce to get our small business members signed up for the VSBDR program by the end of September. We need a minimum of 15 members to sign up!

 

It is vital that businesses opt to accept cookies to ensure they are tracked in the program. Here are some benefits of the VSBDR platform that will support your suppliers:


  • Courses: From marketing to finances, enjoy free, self-paced courses on a variety of valuable business topics.
  • Events: Get expert advice, learn new skills during group sessions, and network with peers during live events.
  • 1:1 Coaching: Meet with a business expert to talk about your specific goals, workshop ideas, and gain new insights.

 

Thank you for your commitment to supporting our LGBTQ+ small business community!


LINK TO REGISTER - Register Here


Register Here

Urban Health Partnership is Hiring

At UHP, we are committed to creating a workplace that values and respects your contributions while fostering an environment of continuous growth, teamwork, and inclusivity. We offer comprehensive benefits, significant flexibility for remote work, and a steadfast dedication to promoting a thriving, collaborative, and diverse work culture.


Explore our current job openings and join us in making a positive impact:


Community Planning Coordinator [APPLY]

As the Community Planning Coordinator, you'll plan, coordinate, and implement tasks within our Healthy Streets and Public Spaces (HSPS) Initiative, focusing on community-driven projects that redefine and expand public spaces.


Miami-Dade County Community Liaison Lead - LGBTQ+ [APPLY]

We are seeking a motivated individual to serve as a Miami-Dade County Community Liaison Lead with a focus on LGBTQ+ initiatives. As a part-time position with flexible hours, this role involves collaborating with our team to support and lead outreach efforts for various health equity projects, including a multi-year NIH research initiative. 


Overtown Community Liaison [APPLY]

Join us in making a difference in the Overtown community! As a Community Liaison, you'll be part of projects aimed at improving public spaces and health and wellness. Be an advocate for positive change in your community. This is a flexible, part-time position. Apply now and contribute to the betterment of Overtown through community engagement and outreach.


Learn More about Urban Health Partnerships

 Inner-City Capital Connections (ICCC) Miami Kick-Off Event 

Please see here for the Miami Presentation and our Miami Program Collateral and the Nominator Tool Kit. We encourage you to review these materials to gain a deeper understanding of our program!


The next step after attending the Kick-Off Event is to begin the process of identifying small business owners in your network to nominate for the ICCC program. I am linking here to the Nominator Tool Kit for sample language to share with nominees and for your email newsletters, along with shareable graphics and posts!


Once again, we encourage you nominate businesses that:

  • You work closely with on a regular basis
  • Are connected with your organization as previous program participants and/or coaching recipients
  • Are connected with you via your mailing lists and/or social media

Once you’ve identified businesses, you can nominate them via our Online Nomination Form or by adding their information our Nomination Template (in the Nominator Tool Kit) and emailing the form to jjarred@icic.org. 


Our nomination deadline is Friday, August 30th so we encourage you nominate businesses now! For questions about the nomination process, please schedule a time to speak with Jarred Jones, Senior Program Coordinator, Inner City Capital Connections .


We look forward to growing our partnership to best support the small business community across South Florida! Please feel free to reach out to me at jjones@icic.org or 617-238-3056 with any questions or concerns you may have.

Online Nomination Form

Miami Open For Business: Grants and Opportunities

Visit our Website

South Florida Policy Survey

As the Open for Business program officially closes at the end of this year, make your voice heard through the policy priorities survey. 


Help us understand what the biggest challenges and opportunities are facing your business so we can better support you.


The Miami Foundation is working with key stakeholders at city, county, and private institutions to identify ways to strengthen and improve our small business ecosystem.


Take the survey today and tell us what's important to you! 


The survey should only take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Complete the Survey

Miami Open For Business: Grants and Opportunities

ATTENTION SUPPLIERS,


Does your business sell goods and services to governmental agencies?


If so, don't miss out on the opportunity to receive City solicitations!


Click on the link for more information.


If you have any questions regarding the registration process, please do not hesitate to contact our Vendor Support Team at vendorsupport@miamibeachfl.gov.


** THIS ONLY APPLIES TO THOSE FIRMS THAT SELL GOODS AND SERVICES

TO PUBLIC ENTITIES. ALL OTHERS, PLEASE DISREGARD.**


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