Chamber Connection
September 2022
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It’s crunch time! As we enter the crisp days of fall, we are all gearing up for performance reviews, tightening up our financials, making sure we hit our sales goals, establishing next year’s goals, preparing for the holiday season, and addressing end-of-year bits and pieces.
The Chamber team is so proud of what we have accomplished thus far in 2022 and begins the task of tying up loose ends in the next three months to finish the year strongly!
I'm excited about the launch of our Chamber’s Research, Learning, and Policy Department, led by Dr. Jo Trigilio. This department will focus on much-needed research and data collection about the LGBTQ+ community, particularly data that will help prove that our community needs resources to find balance and equity.
I can't wait to host our first conference on December 8, titled Power Grid 2022: Strength Through Inclusive Relationships. We will gather for an entire day of inspiring plenaries, breakout learning sessions, a live pitch competition, and supplier diversity match-making, and then conclude with an LGBTQ+ tea dance to celebrate our pride, our joy, and our hard work!
Being the Executive Director and CEO of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce has been my first role as CEO of a non-profit organization. I've been second-in-command of many national organizations, but shied away from taking the top role, mostly because I do not like being in the spotlight; I prefer to be on the ground, getting my hands dirty in the work with the people. My role at the Chamber has allowed me to push boundaries and deliver beyond what even I expected and with that has come a lot of visibility. As one of my dearest friends often told me: “The universe is so generous, it will keep giving you the opportunity to face your deepest challenges.”
In that spirit, I share with you that I have been selected for two honors in the past month — tomorrow, October 1, there will be an unveiling of the Portraits of Pride at the Boston Common at 12 PM, where an incredibly visible 8-foot photo of me alongside 19 other LGBTQ+ leaders will be exhibited. I have not yet seen the picture, and truly feel more exposed than ever. As I confront my fear, I reflect on the imperative that LGBTQ+ people must be seen, counted, showcased, and represented. We must continue carving the path for those that come after us, just like those that came before us did. In that same spirit, let me also share that I am humbled to have again been selected for the Boston Business Journal’s Power 50. This honor reflects all of our work together and the power we bring as a community. Our combined power changes and improves lives!
Proudly,
Grace R. Moreno
Executive Director
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LGBTQ+ JOB FAIR
Do you want to join an LGBTQ-inclusive workplace? Come to our fall job fair!
The Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce invites job seekers to attend our LGBTQ+ Job Fair at Suffolk University. Attendance is FREE and open to the public! Folks of all identities who are interested in pursuing inclusive workplaces are welcome at this event.
Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Time: 4–7 PM
Location: Suffolk University, 110 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108
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Representatives from our partner companies will feature their open positions, discuss how their company supports and welcomes LGBTQ+ employees, and answer any questions you have!
*This registration link is for job seekers only! Employers who would like to table the event, please contact Jamie Berg, Social Media & Events Specialist.
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SAVE THE DATE: POWER GRID 2022 CONFERENCE
STRENGTH THROUGH INCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS
We're thrilled to be holding our first-ever conference on December 8! The daylong event features a host of programming for both our corporate partners and small business members and concludes with a joyous tea dance to celebrate our community and the work of the Chamber.
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022
Location: Encore Boston Harbor
Stay tuned for more details!
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GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
EMPOWER DIGITAL AND BIZ-M-POWER GRANTS
Applications are still open for Empower Digital (grants of $5,000 for the development of digital capabilities) and the Biz-M-Power crowdfunding matching grant program (fundraise up to $20,000 and get a 1:1 match).
Questions? Contact Thais De Marco, Engagement & Membership Director.
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OUR GROWING CHAMBER
We are elated that Dr. Jo Trigilio has joined our Chamber in the new role of Education, Research & Learning Director.
Jo is an interdisciplinary educator, socio-cultural theorist, and community activist with a lifelong commitment to advocating for intersectional social justice.
Specializing in oppression and liberation theories, Jo has held faculty positions in Gender Studies and Philosophy at California State Chico, Bentley University, and Simmons University. Before leaving academia, they served as the co-chair of the Boston Graduate Consortium for Gender, Culture, Women and Sexuality, as well as Director of the Graduate Program in Gender/Cultural Studies at Simmons University. As a community activist, Jo served on the organizing committee of the Boston Dyke March, the Boston Pride Communications Team, and in 2020 co-founded the community organization Pride for the People. Most recently, Jo was the lead organizer for Boston Pop-Up Pride 2022.
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NEW PARTNERSHIPS
BRIGHT HORIZONS, BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER & ROCKLAND TRUST
Our Chamber welcomes new partnerships with three prominent companies this month — Bright Horizons, Boston Medical Center, and Rockland Trust — all of whom embody a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their organizational structure and practices. We're thrilled to have them aboard as allies and partners, and look forward to our work together.
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
NUTTIN ORDINARY
Premium Dairy-Free Food
Nuttin Ordinary is founded on the idea of creating clean, simple ingredient-based foods that taste GREAT and have nutritional value. The best way to achieve this? Using plants! Nuttin Ordinary is the first 100% plant-based cheese manufacturer in New England and they are proud of it! They use a proprietary probiotic blend and production process to culture their cheese, achieving the taste and consistency customers know and love.
As a zero WHEYste manufacturer, Nuttin Ordinary takes pride in creating foods that are both earth-friendly and sustainable. Their team is grateful to have the opportunity to make clean and simple ingredient-based foods for you!
Visit nuttinordinary.com to shop and find more information.
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THE CENTERPIECE FLOWER SHOP
Unique Flower Arrangements
Recently named Best of Boston 2022: Best Florist, The Centerpiece Flower Shop specializes in custom floral arrangements, weddings, events, and indoor and outdoor plants.
"Nothing cheers up a space like a gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers. And these days, no one’s spreading more flower-powered joy than Ángel Diaz. With an eye for design, the Venezuela native and owner of the Centerpiece Flower Shop uses seasonal blooms and greenery to create artful arrangements bursting with color and texture." Boston Magazine
Browse the flower arrangement collections and gift shop at thecenterpieceflowershop.com or call (617) 323-6262 for assistance.
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Proud of your business? Let us know! Contact Nerissa J. Fry, Communications & Marketing. | | |
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An Introduction to Federal Civil Rights and White Collar Crime
October 6 • 12–1 PM
Webinar
| The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is in charge of investigating numerous federal crimes, including white collar crimes, that target businesses, as well as civil rights crimes (including hate crimes). This presentation will offer an overview of the FBI's Civil Rights and White Collar Programs, an awareness briefing on common white collar and civil rights crimes, information on how to report these crimes, and best practices for how to protect yourself and your customers to avoid victimization. | | | |
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LGBTQ+ Job Fair
October 12 • 4–7 PM
Suffolk University
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Join us at our Fall 2022 Job Fair where attendance is FREE and open to the public! Folks of all identities who are interested in pursuing inclusive workplaces are welcome at this event.
Representatives from our partner companies will feature their open positions, discuss how their company supports and welcomes LGBTQ+ employees, and answer any questions you have!
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Portraits of Pride Boston
October 1–29
Boston Common
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Shot by world-renowned photographer John Huet, Portraits of Pride is an exhibition featuring 8-foot tall portraits of local LGBTQ+ leaders from a variety of backgrounds and industries.
This one-of-a-kind installation honors the rich history of Boston’s LGBTQ+ community and the many contributions the area’s LGBTQ+ leaders have made to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights in Massachusetts and beyond.
Opening event is October 1 at 12 noon on the Boston Common!
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