As part of the annual National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) business and leadership conference last week, members from chambers across the country met to discuss what they can do to support other LGBT-owned businesses.
The panel, titled "Locally Grown," started with moderator Sam McClure, NGLCC director of affiliate relations, raising a question on how chamber members can level the playing field with larger businesses to give each other more opportunities to thrive in their business.
Attendees mentioned advertising their status in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index to attract business partnerships.
Panelist Dawn R. Ackerman, CFO, OutSmart Office Solutions, explained how a lack of data about LGBT-owned companies stunted potential growth. She suggested members of each chamber make a point of supporting local LGBT-owned businesses to combat this disconnect. Ackerman explained that if businesses seek suppliers with certified minority business enterprise credentials they will help NGLCC partners grow together.
Supporting such business practices, McClure said, will help members of the NGLCC take their partnerships from an idea to a movement.
PHOTO From left: Sam McClure, director of affiliate and external relations at NGLCC; Dawn R. Ackerman, CFO, OutSmart Office Solutions; and Bonnie Osborne, President of Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Sean Pyles