Chamber Connection

The spirit of our community was alive and well at our first-ever Power Grid Conference at Mandarin Oriental on May 12. How beautiful it was to see so many of our corporate partners and LGBTQ-owned business members gathered in person after so long! The day was superbly emceed by Linda Marie Póssa, our fabulous drag queen, who ushered the program with poise and humor. And, while we discussed heavy subjects, such as harmful LGBTQ+ legislation rolling out across our country, we were reassured by members of our state and local governments that work is in place to protect us all.

We heard from House Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan and State Senator Julian Cyr — two proud members of our community who advocate for us in the State Legislature day in and day out. At lunch, Mayor Nicole LaChapelle of Easthampton and Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston spoke about the positive impact our community has on their cities. Throughout the day we heard from our members, LGBTQ+ business owners that have benefited from being a part of our Chamber and are thriving. We also heard from our sponsors that have supported us not only with financial resources but also with large commitments of their time and knowledge. Two panels anchored our morning and afternoon sessions — Inclusion Is the New Differentiator and Inclusive Procurement IS Possible! Both discussions highlighted the ways in which inclusion and inclusive procurement practices change workplaces for the better.

The day culminated with a rousing live performance from Linda Marie Póssa and the much-anticipated Tea Dance! So many of us were up on our feet dancing to music provided by DJ (and Chamber member) Diggity Dom as performers from Boston Circus Guild put on a captivating show!

Our Chamber is so proud to have created this event for our community! We worked hard, discussing critical issues affecting our community AND we also managed to enjoy a boost of joy and energy we get when we come together as a family.

Have an amazing Pride Month everyone!

Proudly,

Grace R. Moreno

Executive Director

Conference photos by TDM Photography

EQUITY ALLIANCE FOR BUSINESS

We are thrilled to join Eastern Bank, one of our founding partners, to celebrate the launch of Equity Alliance for Business, a program created to further advance the growth of underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs, including those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Our Chamber proudly joins other business support organizations, such as Ascendus, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), Interise, and Mill Cities Community Investments (MCCI), in referring business owners to Equity Alliance for Business, as well as offering mentoring and networking opportunities.

Equity Alliance for Business is designed to meet the needs of businesses with 51% or greater ownership by women or people of color and all their intersectionality, offering:

• Local 1:1 Relationships

• Credit Solutions

• Supplementary Financial Products & Services

• Access to Other Tools & Resources

To apply, business owners can go to the Equity Alliance for Business website to make an appointment with a team member.

Eastern is known for its deep and long-standing commitment to driving greater economic inclusion and mobility, and we have witnessed first-hand their dedication to our communities.

Our Chamber is so excited to work with Eastern to dismantle the status quo and strengthen our business community!

SMALL BUSINESS LEGAL CLINIC

In partnership with Lawyers for Civil Rights, we invite our members to an individualized conversation with a pro bono attorney about their business legal needs.

Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Time: 10 AM–12 PM EST

Conference photos by TDM Photography

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 the Pride Job Fair at Roxbury Community College.

Date: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Time: 3–7 PM

Location: Roxbury Community College

BUY QUEER ALL YEAR ACTON POP-UP

Support LGBTQ-owned businesses at our Buy Queer All Year Pop-Up event — this time in Acton!

Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Time: 12–3 PM

Location: Nara Park, Acton, MA

Would you like to table at this event? Please contact Mel Ayer by June 7.

NEW PARTNERSHIPS

The Edinburg Center recently joined us as a corporate partner. Edinburg's deep commitment to creating a sense of belonging through diversity, equity, and social justice aligns beautifully with the mission of our Chamber, and we look forward to our work together.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS

ILAH CIBIS JEWELRY

Made With Fierce ♥ In Worcester

iLAH Cibis Jewelry is an indie jewelry brand making mini collections of gold and silver jewelry using responsibly sourced gems and diamonds, including diamonds made entirely from recaptured atmospheric CO2. iLAH's collections range from cheeky, fun, and provocative to classically beautiful.

For more info and to shop online visit ilahjewelry.com.

THE FRIENDLY I.T. GUY

On-Site Tech and I.T. Support For Residential and Small Business Needs

The Friendly I.T. Guy is your one-stop solution for all your residential and small business technology needs. Providing specialized on-site or remote support, The Friendly I.T. Guy will help relieve your anxiety and stresses about your technology.

Nate Munic began tinkering with computers before the age of five, even giving himself admin permissions on the family computer, and circumventing security and parental controls. He has been helping people with their computer and technology issues as a side gig since 2016, and he decided to turn his passion for helping others and his enjoyment of technology into his life's work.

Visit thefriendlyitguy.com for more information or connect with Nate directly at (413) 200-8114.

SPILL THE TEA SIS

Intentionally-Curated Home & Gift Collection

Spill the Tea Sis Apothecary is a queer-owned metaphysical space focused on curating an intentional collection of items that people can connect with authentically in their life and practice.

Spill the Tea Sis makes over 40% of their collection by hand, including customer favorite — organic coco soy intention candles. The team also works hard to create a monthly community space, hosting full moon and new moon rituals, queer-focused events, and classes.

For more information, visit spilltheteasis.com or contact the owner, Mischa Roy, at hello@spilltheteasisapothecary.com.

SKYTOP DIGITAL SERVICES

Digital Services That Help Small Businesses Thrive

Skytop Digital Services is a creative digital marketing company that offers a full spectrum of digital services to small and medium businesses. Services include social media marketing, website design, ads management, language translation, remote employee search, and much more!

As a digital agency created by business owners for business owners, Skytop Digital Services listens, understands, and accompanies their clients on every step of the process. Skytop specializes in strategic digital services to create brand awareness, build and optimize your website, develop effective communication, and accelerate your business growth.

For more information, visit skytopdigitalservices.com or contact Juan Arroyave directly at (857) 365-1076.

[RE]Architect

Architects + Builders

[RE]Architect's skilled team of architects and builders love finding innovative ways to make your residential or commercial projects a reality!

Specializing in both building design and construction, [RE]Architect takes their clients through the entire process of creating new spaces or renovating existing ones.

For more information, visit rearchitect-ma.com or contact Ashley Owens, company founder, at (617) 466-9252.

Certified LGBTBE®

ALEX POST DATA ANALYTICS

Driving Positive Change With Data-Backed Insights

Alex Post Data Analytics provides organizations with data-driven insights to make informed decisions and drive positive change. 

Alex Post believes that data has the power to transform industries, and commits to using his expertise to help companies unlock their full potential and promote valuable innovation.

Alex founded his company with the motivation to use his background in competitive intelligence, workforce analytics, and market research to help organizations make informed, data-driven decisions to improve operations and outcomes in a number of fields. A passion for using insights to lead the way for positive change has led him to prioritize work for non-profit organizations in addition to industries including real estate, psychology, and healthcare.

For more information visit alexpostdata.com or reach out to Alex directly at (781) 205-9122.

Certified LGBTBE®

CONGRATS & KUDOS!

Shout-out to Colorful Resilience, LLC for their recent cover story in the Valley Advocate! We love seeing our member businesses featured in the media.

Colorful Resilience is a Queer-Afro-Latina-owned outpatient mental health services office proudly providing therapy — primarily, but not exclusively — to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, First Generation, and immigrant folks.

Read the full story here!

Proud of your business? Let us know! Contact Nerissa J. Fry, Communications & Marketing.

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

Welcome to the small businesses that have joined us since our last newsletter.

Caro Villegas

Creative Strategy Agency, Inc.

Diversity North Group, LLC

Luxsi, LLC

PIXWORX

Planning with a Scorpio

Schofield Donnelly, LLC

Think Again Training & Consulting, LLC

Tuck Life

Vision to Reality Coaching

PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSORS