Chamber Connection
December 2022
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I’m holding such conflicting emotions in my heart as I write this. I am filled with gratitude for the love and support of my loved ones after spending a restful Thanksgiving with them. And I am joyous to be part of this Chamber family, and to witness the incredible work we do together to create LGBTQ+ inclusive workplaces and grow our LGBTQ+ small businesses.
I am also devastated by the mass shooting that took place at Club Q in Colorado Springs because, once again, a safe LGBTQ+ space has been violated by hatred and weapons. My grief pales in comparison to that felt by the loved ones of Derrick Rump, Daniel Aston, Kelly Loving, Raymond Green Vance, and Ashley Paugh. But our community mourns these losses together. We are a family. Every time one of us is persecuted, all of us are affected.
I think it’s possible to honor our pain and despair and yet remain hopeful about the world. I am heartened by folks such as Richard Fierro and Thomas James — heroes at Club Q — who risked their lives to protect nightclub patrons that evening. I am inspired by every single LGBTQ+ person who walks in this world as their authentic self. And I am hopeful because our country’s first openly lesbian governor, Maura Healey, will take office in Massachusetts shortly.
I am honored to announce that I’ve been appointed to Governor Healey’s transition team, on the “Jobs and a Flourishing Economy For All” policy committee. This group will focus on “How we build a dynamic economy that reduces costs for people and businesses while lifting up our workers.” I will spend the next few months, and the years thereafter, working with the Healey Administration to make sure the voices of LGBTQ+ businesses — and our community at large — are considered.
Proudly,
Grace R. Moreno
Executive Director
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CHAMBER OFFICE SPACE & ART GALLERY OPENING
Our Easthampton office is officially open! The Chamber celebrated our newest workspace on November 10, with a joyful cocktail reception that attracted an enthusiastic crowd of local businesses, dignitaries, and well-wishers.
The event also unveiled an art installation featuring portraits of LGBTQ+ business owners captured by talented photographer (and our Chamber's engagement and membership director) Thaís De Marco.
"I was a little bit apprehensive as I went into this project," reflected Thaís. "I know I can photograph people, but would I be able to capture people as business owners?"
"What I didn't consider was that for so many of us, what we do becomes entangled with who we are. So many of you live and breathe your work, just as I live and breathe mine. It gave me great joy to marry these two sides of my life: my everyday work with each of the members I got to photograph, and seeing them through, quite literally, a different lens."
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We invite everyone to check out the new space and enjoy the art gallery! Chamber members are welcome to use the office as a co-working space when needed. Contact Angie Montalvo-Greene, Western Massachusetts Engagement Director, for more details.
Event photos by Veronica Jay, OnSite Studios.
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LGBTQ+ JOB FAIR WITH MALGBTCC AT FIRST EVENT
Date: Friday, January 27, 2023
Time: 10 AM–2 PM
Location: Boston Park Plaza Hotel
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*This registration link is for job seekers only! Employers who would like to table the event, please register here or contact Jamie Berg, Social Media & Events Specialist. | |
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
EL COLOMBIANO COFFEE, INC.
Grown Sustainably. Roasted Locally.
El Colombiano Coffee — 100% Colombian, fair traded, fairly sourced, artisanal, and family-owned — delights passionate coffee lovers with high quality Colombian Arabica coffee beans delivered right to their door!
El Colombiano Coffee captivates customers with stories of the farmers who have long been at the heart of Colombian coffee excellence. Guided by their core principles of flavor, freshness, and fairness, they are committed to making sure every customer knows where their coffee comes from.
Be inspired by Colombia’s rich culture and allow El Colombiano Coffee to help you start your day the right way every day!
For more information and to make your first purchase, visit elcolombianocoffee.com!
Certified LGBTBE®
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EDGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
Serving the Individual Needs of Each Client
Edge Business Solutions, located in Lowell, Massachusetts, is an accounting firm with expertise in all facets of financial management, including taxes, accounting, bookkeeping, QuickBooks, business consulting, and more!
Edge Business Solutions serves a wide range of business and individual clients throughout Massachusetts, a portfolio that includes Five Guys and McDonalds. Edge Business Solutions is renowned for a strong commitment to integrity and a policy of tailoring their services to the individual needs of each client.
To learn more, visit edge-business-solutions.com or contact president and managing partner, Micheal Hoffmann, directly at owner@edge-business-solutions.com or (978) 512-1085.
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SPECTRA NETWORKS
Technology and Business Working Together
Spectra Networks is a comprehensive IT service company dedicated to assisting small- to medium-sized businesses with IT solutions such as managed support services, compliance and security, Amazon web services, and IT support.
Spectra Networks tailors their services to the unique needs of each business, valuing client relationships above all else. From Topsfield Fairgrounds to UPIC Health, much of their clientele has been built directly through positive referrals!
Visit spectranets.com to learn more about this company or contact Joe Silva, founder and president, directly at hello@spectranets.com or (978) 219-9752.
Certified LGBTBE®
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HOLIDAY CATALOG
This year's LGBTQ+ Holiday Catalog features over 40 of our small business members across a range of industries, hand-selected to best suit your holiday shopping needs! We're excited to spotlight the work of these members, and encourage you to support LGBTQ-owned businesses this holiday season.
The catalog is entirely clickable, so you can shop as you browse. Share this catalog with your colleagues and loved ones using the following link — bit.ly/holidaycatalog22
Thank you for supporting our Chamber and LGBTQ-owned businesses. Happy holidays, and happy shopping!
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POSTPONED: POWER GRID CONFERENCE
After some unforeseen challenges with our venue partner, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our Power Grid Conference until Spring 2023. On the bright side, this change creates space for us to deliver an even more robust and unforgettable conference experience for you — our members and partners.
The date and location of the rescheduled conference will be announced early in 2023.
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UMass Amherst Scholarship
Apply before December 9, 2022
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The UMass Amherst Offshore Wind Professional Certificate program is pleased to announce that the scholarship period for Spring 2023 is now open. Their Career Access Scholarship is designed to empower students from diverse backgrounds — typically underrepresented in energy — to successfully prepare for and join the offshore wind workforce to contribute professionally to mitigating climate change.
The Offshore Wind Professional Certificate consists of three graduate-level online courses culminating in a Graduate Certificate from UMass Amherst. Several Career Access Scholarships will be awarded to eligible applicants and cover the full cost of tuition for the certificate. The application period is now open and will close December 9, 2022.
Please see here for eligibility details.
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LGBTQ+ Job Fair at First Event
January 27 • 10 AM–2 PM
Boston Park Plaza Hotel
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Do you want to join an LGBTQ-inclusive workplace? Join the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce for our LGBTQ+ Job Fair at First Event!
This LGBTQ+ Job Fair is a part of First Event, one of the longest running conferences in the U.S. for transgender and gender expansive people and those who love and support them. First Event is held annually in the Boston area, and is sponsored by the Trans Community of New England (TCNE).
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