When our community and our allies come together, we are all STRONGER TOGETHER. We are TRULY UNSTOPPABLE! We’re excited to announce our new initiatives for 2023:
- We will be replacing the LGBT in our name with LGBTQ+. We are doing this so it will be more representative of our membership. You will see this along with rebranding in early 2023.
- We are really excited to be launching events like our recent LGBT+ Champions Awards Gala in the future alongside the newly launched Maryland LGBTQ+ Foundation.
- Concerted efforts have been made with incoming Gov Elect Wes Moore with direct conversations with Deputy Chief of Staff Lucinda Ware and Senator Mary Washington at the MD State Legislature to ensure inclusion of LGBTQ+ Businesses in Maryland through the hopeful 2023 passing of Imari’s Business Pride Act which would recognize LGBTE’s with the State of Maryland Minority Business Enterprises.
- As the recently passed Respect for Marriage Act highlights, we have won some battles but we must continue to be vigilant as we are seeing our rights at risk every day. The Chamber will have an increased visibility in the advocacy space going forward. We look forward to working with our partners in the community to get this accomplished.
- In March we will be hosting an event for the internal Employee Resource Groups of our sponsors. McCormick, one of our amazing sponsors, has agreed to host this event. This will allow the internal groups that support the LGBTQ+ community in their respective companies to collaborate and share ideas. This is a way the Chamber can support LGBTQ+ employees and allies. It will also give us an opportunity to inquire how we can best support them moving forward.
- To support our LGBTQ+ business owners and members of the chamber, we will be having our Supplier Diversity event in late spring. Another one of our great sponsors and founding sponsor, M&T Bank will be hosting this. This allows the LGBTQ+ owned businesses with NGLCC certification, to talk directly with companies looking to add to their minority procurement.
- For those that are not NGLCC certified, we will be having an event that will help navigate the process of becoming approved and certified through the NGLCC.
- We will be holding Educational and cultural workshops and partnerships with other local, LGBTQ-focused organizations to create large knowledge bases.
Thanks to our sponsors and our members who are so important to the chamber. Because of you, we can accomplish anything we set our mind to!
