Chamber Connection
April 2023
| |
|
After many months of anticipation, our first ever Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce conference is just around the corner! Power Grid 2023: Strength Through Inclusive Relationships is taking place on Friday, May 12 at the Mandarin Oriental in Boston. We are holding this conference for three key reasons:
- To come together and celebrate in person having weathered hopefully what is the worst of the pandemic;
- To learn about how inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the workplace is the new differentiator and how procurement is possible, and;
- To hear from LGBTQ+ and ally leaders on the state of the LGBTQ+ community in the state and nationwide.
Read below to buy your ticket and to come to one of the best events of the season!
Proudly,
Grace R. Moreno
Executive Director
| |
|
POWER GRID 2023: STRENGTH THROUGH INCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS
A ONE-DAY CONFERENCE + TEA DANCE
After a few years of not being together in person, we are coming back in style!
Power Grid 2023 is an event by the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce that is filled with local LGBTQ+ leaders sharing insights and knowledge about the state of LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion in the business space across our Commonwealth — and all of this is happening with the fabulousness that only our community can deliver!
MEET OUR KEY NOTE SPEAKERS
| |
Representative Kate Hogan | |
|
|
TEA DANCE AFTER PARTY
Can't make it to the daytime portion of our conference? Come to the after party! Join us for the joyous tea dance to celebrate the work of our community and the Chamber!
| |
|
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HR TODAY WEBINAR
A solid understanding of Human Resources will not only give you peace of mind it can drastically improve the health of your small business as well. Join Myra Quick, owner of Fast Forward Learning and Development, to explore:
- Laws that govern the function of human resources
- Documents required for a compliant human resource operation
- Legally managing the multitude of records associated with employment
- Where to begin with an employee handbook
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023
Time: 12–1 PM EST
| |
|
INSURANCE OPTIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES WEBINAR
Small businesses that need to offer affordable, quality health insurance to their employees can join this session to learn about cost-effective options through the Health Connector. We will also discuss what employers need to know about upcoming changes to MassHealth eligibility, and how non-benefits eligible employees can get covered.
Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Time: 12–1 PM EST
| |
|
PRIDE 2023 LGBTQ+ JOB FAIR
The Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce will host our annual Pride Month LGBTQ+ Job Fair to spotlight LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace, and support the LGBTQ+ community in finding inclusive career opportunities.
This year, MALGBTCC is teaming up with the Boston Lesbigay Urban Foundation to host our 2023 Pride Month Job Fair at Roxbury Community College.
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Time: 3–7 PM
Location: Roxbury Community College
| |
|
GRACE MORENO NAMED ON GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL
On April 5, Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order which created the Governor's Council on Latino Empowerment. The group's goal is to improve the wellbeing of Latinos in Massachusetts. Executive Director of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce Grace Moreno is one of the 40 members on the Latino council.
Read the official press release here.
| |
|
CELTICS PRIDE GAME
A big thank you to TD Bank for inviting the Chamber team to the Celtics Pride Game last month. We are grateful for the chance to see behind the scenes at the TD Garden and enjoy a great basketball game!
| |
|
OUR GROWING CHAMBER
We added three new team members over recent weeks — a warm welcome to Victoria Questell, Mason Dunn, and Mel Ayer!
| |
|
Victoria Questell (she/her) joins the Chamber as Administrative Assistant. Victoria received her degree in English (Editing, Writing, and Media) from Florida State University, and prior to joining our team, completed internships in the fields of teaching and editing.
Mason Dunn (he/they) joins us as our Director of Education and Research. A lawyer and educator, Mason brings over 15 years of LGBTQ+ advocacy experience to the Chamber. Prior to joining the team, they served as Deputy Director for the Division of Education and Training at the Fenway Institute, Director of Advocacy for Keshet, State and Local Policy Manager for GLSEN, and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition.
| |
Mel Ayer (they/them) joins our Easthampton office in the new position of Membership & Workforce Development Associate. Mel holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management and a vast experience in marketing, communications, and entrepreneurship. They are excited to contribute to the meaningful work of the Chamber! | |
|
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
BOHIO CLEAN
High-Quality, Fair Work Practices & Honest Prices
Bohio Clean connects people and businesses to ethical cleaning solutions for their cleaning needs.
Commercial services include:
- event cleaning
- electrostatic disinfection
- janitorial services
Residential services include:
- deep clean
- move in/move out
- post-construction cleaning
- routine cleanings
For more information, visit bohioclean.com or contact Karla Morales at karla@bohioclean.com.
Certified LGBTBE®
| |
|
REFRESH DENTAL VALLEY
Helping the Community Thrive
Grounded in experience and awareness, Dr. Aurora Fields and the team at Refresh Valley Dental have a mission to deliver personalized and exceptional patient service and professional treatment with tools that are the most advanced in dentistry.
Their office is a supportive space for every diverse member of the community, and a provider of food security in the area. Refresh Valley Dental focuses on efficient oral rehabilitation in a shame-free, low-stress environment through continuous self-improvement in the dental field, and by eliminating as many barriers to care as possible.
Visit refreshvalleydental.com to learn more or to book an appointment!
| |
|
CHAMPAGNE APOTHECARY
Cheers to Self-Care!
Champagne Apothecary is an enchanting, small-town self-care shop full of one-of-a-kind and small business-sourced treasures, as well as being home to ETHYST® skincare.
As a licensed esthetician and clinical herbalist, owner Amber Champagne-Matos values products free of harsh ingredients and full of health benefits. As a result, Champagne Apothecary is dedicated to creating and curating products with premium, high quality ingredients that nourish and soothe the body. From skincare to herbal tinctures to vitamins and supplements to premium coffee and tea and other fun surprises, there are self-care options for everyone at Champagne Apothecary.
Visit champagneapothecary.com for more information and to shop products online!
Every year Champagne Apothecary donates 10% of their proceeds back to their community. In 2021 and 2022, they were able to donate $10,000 annually.
Certified LGBTBE®
| |
|
LN WESTGATE
Procurement, Supplier Diversity & DEI
Are you starting or even contemplating a Supplier Diversity program? From defining your program's objectives, developing plans of action, and change management to creating timelines, establishing metrics, and identifying potential challenges that may arise during implementation, LN Westgate, LLC is here to help!
LN Westgate is a procurement and supplier diversity consulting firm headed by principal consultant Lisa Westgate. Lisa is a subject matter expert with over 25 years of experience driving impact and change in procurement and supplier diversity.
LN Westgate is committed to understanding and supporting the individual goals of your organization, whether your diversity program is compliance-based, aimed at making social impact at a granular level, or still in the early stages of planning.
For more information, visit lnwestgate.com or connect with Lisa directly at lisa@lnwestgate.com.
| |
|
IVYHILL PR
Reimagining Public Relations
IvyHill PR is a boutique communications agency that helps people break out of the box of industry expectations and connect more effectively with their target audiences. They help small businesses and nonprofits bridge the gap between how they are trying to engage with their target audience and what their audience thinks about them.
IvyHill PR connects public relations, video production, social media, and marketing to get their clients results! Their team specializes in creating tailored content, clearer messaging, and stronger community connections, on and offline. Not only does IvyHill PR help you figure out the right strategies to reach your goals, they have the creative capacity to make them come to life.
It's time to get out of the "rat race" and do things with intention. Visit ivyhillpr.com for more information or to set up a discovery call!
| |
|
CONGRATS & KUDOS!
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has named Sarah A. Scala Consulting the 2023 Microenterprise Business of the Year for Massachusetts.
With over 11 years of experience providing executive coaching, leadership development, and LGBTQ+ public speaking, Sarah A. Scala Consulting supports leadership effectiveness and positive, inclusive cultures and workplaces. Working with clients large and small, in diverse industries from healthcare and biotech to media and financial services, Sarah's distinct experience has led to ongoing business success.
Sarah will be honored at the annual SCORE Boston Celebrates Small Business Success Featuring the Massachusetts SBA 2023 Small Business Awards on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the Sheraton Hotel, Needham, MA. Congratulations!
| |
Proud of your business? Let us know! Contact Nerissa J. Fry, Communications & Marketing. | | |
|
|
What You Need to Know About HR Today
May 4 • 12–1 PM EST
Webinar
| Join the Chamber team and Myra Quick, owner of Fast Forward Learning and Development, to learn about the laws that govern your business' human resources function, understand which documents are required for a compliant operation, get resources to manage employment records, and begin the process of creating your own employee handbook. | | | |
|
|
Power Grid 2023
May 12 • 9 AM–5 PM
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
| |
Gear up for the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce's first-ever conference and tea dance!
The daylong event features a host of programming for both our corporate partners and small business members and concludes with a joyous tea dance.
| | | |
|
|
Power Grid Unplugged
May 12 • 5–9 PM
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
| Come 5PM on the day of our Power Grid conference, we gather for a tea dance to celebrate the work of our community and the Chamber. This is a LGBTQ+ event not to be missed! | | | |
|
|
Insurance Options for Small Businesses
May 17 • 12–1 PM EST
Webinar
| Small businesses that need to offer affordable, quality health insurance to their employees can join this session to learn about cost-effective options through the Health Connector. We will also discuss what employers need to know about upcoming changes to MassHealth eligibility, and how non-benefits eligible employees can get covered. | | | |
|
|
Pride 2023 LGBTQ+ Job Fair
June 15 • 3–7 PM
Roxbury Community College
| |
The Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce holds an annual Pride Month LGBTQ+ Job Fair to spotlight LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace, & support the LGBTQ+ community in finding inclusive career opportunities.
This year, MALGBTCC is teaming up with the Boston Lesbigay Urban Foundation to host our 2023 Pride Month Job Fair at Roxbury Community College.
| | | |
|
Corporate Partners Now Hiring! | | | |
|
|
What I Learned From My Ex-Boyfriends ... If Anything: Rene Pfister
May 6 • 4–5 PM
Club Cafe
| What I Learned From My Ex-Boyfriends ... If Anything dives into Rene Pfister’s dating history and all the love, pitfalls, and lessons that went with it. Songs like Love You A Little and Comfort are all about the joy of being with someone. Whereas Ok Cupid! and You Broke Up By Text are pithy comments on dating in the modern age. Pfister’s unique story is captivating with a message that any audience member can relate to. He is a powerhouse of charm and verity, encouraging even the shyest of us to sing-along, laugh out loud, and share in the exploration of what it means to love someone. | | | |
|
|
Small Business Financial Education Program
May 9 & 23 • 6–7 PM EST
Virtual Workshops
| |
Cambridge Savings Bank's Small Business Financial Education Program has a number of spring workshops available.
Marketing • May 9
Learn how tracking your marketing results can help increase your business sales and revenue, as well as which marketing platforms are best for reaching your target market.
Financing • May 23
Learn about common fraud tactics and what steps you can take to protect your business.
| | |
Share an event with the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce network! Email info@malgbtcc.org with the details. | | | | | |
