Chamber Connection
September 2023
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The crispness of fall is in the air and so is the final quarter of the year! It is a time when most of us hunker down to meet the year’s strategic goals, balance our profit and loss statements, and start setting new objectives for 2024. The intense focus, combined with award season and the approaching holidays, makes the rest of the year slide by quickly. It's important to not only hit your goals and make ambitious projections but to also take a breath and truly consider what you need personally to finish well, to ensure your business or organization is in a good position, and to define how you want to make the most of 2024. Often, it feels too busy to pause and think beyond the end of the month, the week, and sometimes even the day. But without looking further ahead, we neglect the practice of creating a roadmap to where you are going; if you do not know where you are headed, it’s hard to get anywhere.
I encourage you to take two hours in the next two weeks to review what an awesome job you’ve done in 2023, note where there were missed areas of opportunity, and most importantly outline where you are heading in the new year. If you do this now, you are setting yourself up for a soft landing at the end of the year and a running start to 2024. Happy Fall!
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Proudly,
Grace R. Moreno
Executive Director
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Image by Veronica Jay Photography. | |
INTRODUCING LGBTQ+ INCLUSION TRAINING
In today's rapidly evolving world, fostering an inclusive workplace isn't just a moral imperative — it's also a strategic advantage. As society moves towards greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights, businesses must proactively embrace diversity to thrive. As members and partners of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, you don’t have to face this critical strategic work alone. We have put together opportunities for you to learn more about creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ communities.
Starting in August, we’ve begun hosting virtual educational opportunities for partners and members. These sessions create a space for a better understanding of LGBTQ+ identities, challenges, and experiences. By delving into topics like respectful pronoun usage, understanding inclusive policies, and debunking stereotypes, participants gain a deeper appreciation for welcoming work environments.
In our next virtual educational session, Building an Inclusive and Welcoming Workplace for LGBTQ+ People, on October 17, 2023, participants will understand the basics of LGBTQ+ inclusion, stigma, and allyship in the workplace.
Beyond these virtual sessions, we’ve made tailored individual training sessions available to all Chamber partners. We can bring our expertise to your team or staff and provide opportunities to customize the material to meet your unique needs in business. If you are interested in learning more about a tailored training session for your business, please reach out to Mason Dunn, Director of Education and Research.
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CHAMBER MEMBERS HONORED AS AMPLIFIERS
Amplify Latinx published their inaugural ALX100 list earlier this month, honoring 100 local Latinx leaders who inpsire and uplift their communities. Among those on the list were Chamber members Josiane Martinez, CEO and Founder of ASG, Mayrena Guerrero, Founder and CEO of Colorful Resilience, and Wilnelia Rivera, President and Founder of Rivera Consulting. Also named as a 2023 Amplifier was Grace Moreno, our Chamber's Executive Director.
We could not be more proud to have these Amplifiers as part of our Chamber community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
AHI LEADERSHIP, LLC
Leadership & Transition Coach
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AHI Leadership helps experienced mid-level high-tech leaders enhance their skills even further. Al Ingram, accredited leadership coach, deftly supports his clients by resetting and restoring their core energy and mindset and building practices to develop and sustain their positivity and peace of mind.
Clients include leaders at all levels, primarily but not exclusively in the software and IT industries, who are seeking to advance their leadership careers or make an in-place transformation to become better leaders.
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Al Ingram has over 35 years of experience as a senior management leader and consultant, specializing in high-tech operations, change management, program and project management, process management, governance, and business analysis.
Visit ahileadership.com for more info or contact Al directly at al@ahileadership.com or (617) 765-0298.
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WOLF SECURITY & CONCIERGE, LLC
Plus, Wolf Pack Self-Defense Training
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Wolf is a family-owned security, concierge, and self-defense company. They are a highly-skilled team of professionals working to make individuals, businesses, and communities of all kinds grow and succeed safely and securely.
Services include:
— Security contracts for schools, businesses, residential, functions, private events, night clubs, and construction sites.
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— Concierge contracts for condos/apartment buildings, hotels, and restaurants.
— Youth freestyle fighting self-defense training.
For more information, visit wolfsecurityandconciergel.com or contact owner Danina Manzo directly at (781) 689-3868.
Certified LGBTBE®
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ALL SHE WROTE BOOKS
Intersectional Feminist Queer Bookstore
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Featured by the likes of Oprah, the Boston Globe, and WBUR, All She Wrote Books is proud to carry on the legacy of inclusive, woman-owned, queer-owned bookstores. Located in Somerville, MA, All She Wrote Books has quickly become a haven for book lovers, creatives, and families of all kinds. As an intersectional, feminist bookstore, All She Wrote Books’ team prides itself on supporting, celebrating, and amplifying underrepresented voices through a thoughtfully curated selection of books spanning across all genres.
From Drag Story Hours and author events to partnering with local schools and community organizations, All She Wrote Books has solidified its place as a community staple.
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But that’s not all! Businesses or organizations interested in bulk book ordering can take advantage of All She Wrote Books’ bulk ordering program. ERGs or procurement departments can purchase books on topics like LGBTQIA+ issues and DEI from a small, queer-owned business – a perfect way to help our community, especially as we approach LGBTQ+ History Month! Free shipping is available to one location for this service.
To order online and to learn more about All She Wrote Books, including their capital fundraising campaign for their move to a new space in East Somerville, please visit allshewrotebooks.com.
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NEW PARTNERSHIPS
AMERICAN TOWER
The Chamber is excited to welcome American Tower as a new partner. We look forward to collaborating with them on LGBTQ+ business equality and develop a fruitful partnership for years to come!
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Pitch Deck 101
October 12 • 12–1 PM
Webinar
| Need a hand to get ready for our Pitch Competition? Not sure how to create a pitch deck? We’re here for you! Join Karen Baldeschwieler of Zenagos and MALGBTCC's Angie Montalvo to learn how to put together your pitch for our Chamber's 2023 Pitch Competition. | | | |
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How to Prepare Your Business for Procurement Opportunities
October 16 • 1–2 PM
Webinar
| Our members often ask what steps they should take to prepare to do business on a larger scale. Keith Wang, MALGBTCC Board Member and former VP of Procurement at Point32Health, will join us to share an insider's perspective of the most helpful things business owners can do to compete for contracts successfully. | | | |
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Building an Inclusive & Welcoming Workplace for LGBTQ+ People
October 17 • 1–2:30 PM
Webinar
| Join us for a virtual training opportunity presented by our Director of Education and Research, Mason Dunn. Recommended for all levels of staff and management, this is a foundational course in which participants will understand the basics of LGBTQ+ inclusion, stigma, and allyship in the workplace. To ensure a participatory learning environment, we will limit the audience size for this session to 50 people. | | | |
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LGBTQ+ Job Fair
October 30 • 3–6 PM
Northeastern University
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The Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us at our next LGBTQ+ Job Fair at Northeastern University's Curry Student Center Ballroom and Indoor Quad. This event is free to attend and will be open to the public.
Folks of all identities who are interested in pursuing inclusive workplaces are welcome at this event.
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Share an event with the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce network! Email info@malgbtcc.org with the details. | | | | | |
