Nationally, LGBT businesses contributed more than a trillion dollars to the US economy and more than 30,000 jobs in 2015. That number is on the rise. In New Jersey, the NJ LGBT Chamber of Commerce wants to elevate the profile of these businesses with programs and assistance.
Next week, on April 11, the NJ LGBT Chamber will host an ongoing breakfast series to foster this mission.
The event will be held at the Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel in Rutherford, NJ. Organizers and speakers will tackle key issues facing LGBT and allied businesses. The speakers include New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Ryan Blake of BCB Community Bank and PSEG Chief Diversity Officer, Ellen Lambert. They along with many other business leaders will be on hand to offer their insight and advice to LGBT business owners and those seeking to do business with LGBT business owners.
The Chambers Co-President, Tamara Fleming, said, “The breakfast seeks to introduce local entrepreneurs to the resources of the NJ LBGT Chamber of Commerce, encourage national business certification and connect entrepreneurs with each other to access B2B opportunities and strengthen networks.”
Workplace discrimination loses American businesses more than $64 billion a year says recent research. These figures include challenges the LGBT community face in the workplace and as consumers in the US marketplace. Even as LGBT employees face discrimination, entrepreneurship rises as an opportunity for economic success. The NJ LGBT Chamber says these diverse LGBT businesses contribute tens of thousands of jobs to the American workforce.
BCB Community Bank is a longtime NJ LGBT Chamber partner and sponsor. Thomas M. Coughlin, CEO and President, says of the benefit to business owners, “We support the NJ LGBT Chamber of Commerce because this organization provides entrepreneurs with the business tools and peer-to-peer outreach opportunities they’re looking for.”
The April 11th event will take place at the Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel, 801 Rutherford Avenue, Rutherford, NJ 07070 and offers access to the following political, business and diversity leaders as speakers:
- NJ Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno
- NJ Assemblyman Tim Eustace
- Ryan Blake, Financial Analyst, BCB Community Bank
- Jonathan Lovitz, Sr. Vice President, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
- Thomas “TJ” Chernick, Director of Membership + LGBTBE Engagement, NGLCCNY
- Ellen Lambert, Chief Diversity Officer, PSE&G
- Michael Wheeler, Workplace Diversity Consultant
Tickets are available at the NJ LBGT Chamber Business Networking Series Eventbrite link. Find out more about us at NJLGBTChamber.org
