Chamber Connection
January 2024
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As we bid farewell to the whirlwind of the first month of this new year, it is paramount to keep our goals in sharp focus for the upcoming 11 months. Amidst the intricate web of tasks, Gantt charts, and detailed processes that often accompany our objectives, maintaining a concise list — no larger than a page — directly in front of you becomes a strategic necessity. This tangible reminder serves as a constant reference point, enabling you to align your actions with your vision on a weekly, daily, and sometimes hourly basis. This practice acts as a shield against the myriad distractions and scope creep that inevitably accompany each day.
Our Chamber is embarking on this year with an enthusiastic and motivated staff, armed with our succinct one-pager outlining the goals we aspire to achieve. However, we acknowledge the challenges ahead, notably the impact of State budget cuts on our funding. Navigating this fiscal terrain requires us to secure continued support from our corporate partners, expanding this crucial network, and elevating our philanthropic fundraising efforts. Despite these challenges, we remain confident that the merit of our work will speak volumes, ensuring the financial resources needed to support our member businesses and advance LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives with our corporate allies.
Amidst the struggles, there are exciting prospects on the horizon for our community's economic development. On January 24, 2024, I had the honor of being sworn into the Supplier Diversity Office’s Diverse and Small Business Advisory Board. The Healey administration has set an ambitious goal of $18 million in spending for 2024 dedicated to LGBTQ+ certified businesses. This milestone follows 9 years since the signing of Executive Order 565 by then-Governor Charlie Baker on November 3, 2015, the first in the country that allows LGBTQ-certified businesses to be participate in the state’s supplier diversity program — and the inspiration for our Chamber’s creation. Certified LGBTQ+ businesses now have a groundbreaking opportunity to compete for state contracts listed on the COMMBUYS portal for the state. In the coming months, we will collaborate closely with the Supplier Diversity Office to provide comprehensive information on how to identify and apply for these lucrative opportunities.
Welcome to 2024 — a year brimming with potential. Together, let's make it the best ever!
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Proudly,
Grace R. Moreno
Executive Director
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RESOUNDING SUCCESS AT OUR LGBTQ+ JOB FAIR AT FIRST EVENT
We are delighted to share the incredible success of our annual LGBTQ+ Job Fair at First Event, held on Friday, January 26. The event brought together a vibrant community of participating employers and resource tables, connecting with approximately 400 enthusiastic job seekers.
With this impressive turnout of attendees, the positive energy was palpable. Job seekers arrived well-prepared with resumes in hand, impressing our participating employers. The feedback from both employers and attendees was overwhelmingly positive, making this edition of the job fair stand out as one of the most successful to date.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all the participating employers who played a crucial role in creating valuable connections and opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community:
- Addgene
- Advocates, Inc.
- American Tower
- Berkshire Bank
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Boston Medical Center
- Boston Planning & Development Agency
- Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH)
- Cambridge Health Alliance
- Cambridge Savings Bank
- Dell Technologies
- Eastern Bank
- Eversource Energy
- Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
- Fenway Health
- The Hanover Insurance Group
- HealthQ
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
- M&T Bank
- MassMutual
- MathWorks
- MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority)
- MFS Investment Management
- Riverside Community Care
- Santander Bank
- Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts
- Victory Programs, Inc.
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Additionally, we welcomed resource tables from Suffolk University, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts, further enhancing the support and information available to attendees.
It is essential to underscore the significance of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace. Creating an environment that values diversity not only fosters innovation but also ensures that every individual can bring their authentic selves to work. We are proud to be part of a community that champions equality and embraces the strengths that come from our differences.
Once again, thank you to all who participated, making this job fair a remarkable step forward in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in the professional landscape.
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GRANT OPPORTUNITY
CITIZENS BANK'S SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
Applications are open! This year, Citizens Bank is awarding thirty 10K prizes across four small business categories: Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned, Veteran-Owned, and General.
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OPEN VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE & WELCOMING WORKPLACE FOR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES
Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Time: 1–2:30 PM
In this introductory course, attendees will begin to build the foundation for understanding LGBTQ+ inclusion, stigma, and allyship. This training is recommended for all staff, leadership, managers, customer service, human resources. It is also recommended for those who are beginning to understand LGBTQ+ communities and inclusion in the workplace. This training is a foundational prerequisite for future Chamber hosted training sessions.
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Questions? Contact Mason Dunn, Director of Education and Research. | |
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
KAT CUSEO ART
Illustrator • Designer • Nerd
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Kat Cuseo, maker and designer behind Kat Cuseo Art, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Illustration from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Kat loves to push the limits and experiment with many materials, both 2D and 3D, including watercolor illustrations, sculpting, laser-cut wood, chainmail, and so much more. Kat's work is largely inspired by fantasy, nature, pop culture, and queer representation. Kat's dream is to inspire and connect with those who often don't see themselves represented in mass media. | |
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Kat sells ready-made jewelry, stickers, prints, and decor on her Etsy shop as well as in person at markets around New England. Kat also does custom projects with clients, anything from custom pronoun pins to custom-colored decor and fantasy character portraits.
For more information visit katcuseo.com or contact Kat at (203) 687-3439.
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SPENCER BRENNEMAN
Remaster Your Messaging & Thrive
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We are thrilled that List Bump: Lists of Actionable Insights for Better Branding, Messaging, and Marketing, a new book by Spencer Brenneman Founder Douglas Spencer is now available!
In this concise and invaluable publication, Douglas presents a compilation of advice derived from nine years of insightful blog posts. With 41 different lists thoughtfully categorized into four sections, this book is a treasure trove of actionable insights that will elevate your organization's brand strategy, management, verbal and visual identity, and general management practices.
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Spencer Brenneman helps mission-driven organizations reframe their focus and remaster their messaging to thrive in any environment. Their virtual team of strategic and passionate thinkers and creatives share a common goal: to tell the stories of the indispensable work mission-driven organizations do.
For more information, visit spencerbrenneman.com. List Bump is now available for purchase online.
Certified LGBTBE®
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724, LLC
Event Producer & Operations Professional
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724, LLC is a full-service event consulting and production company specializing in entertainment, sporting, and private events in New Hampshire and around the world.
The passionate professionals at 774 excel at communication, event operations, and production of major live events. They create experiences that connect people with the things they love most.
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To discuss how 724 can bring your event to life, email Colton Cadarette at cc@coltoncadarette.com or visit coltoncadarette.com.
Certified LGBTBE®
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ROSE & BERG CONSULTING
Tailored Strategies For Inclusive Excellence
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Rose & Berg Consulting’s mission is to support businesses, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions in their efforts to create inclusive cultures and dismantle systemic barriers.
Rose & Berg Consulting utilizes a comprehensive, intersectional, and multifaceted approach to address the complex challenges organizations face. Their work focuses on systemic level strategizing because that is often the level at which inequities reside.
Rose & Berg Consulting understands that one size does not fit all and works in close collaboration with their clients to create impactful change based on their unique needs.
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In the vast landscape of DEI topics, Rose & Berg Consulting is committed to offering you the most effective solutions. To achieve this, they're open to bringing in or referring you to other trusted consultants with specialized expertise when needed.
For more information, visit rosebergconsulting.com or contact principals Christa Rose and Kris Berg at rosebergconsulting@gmail.com.
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Financial Fireside Chat
February 7 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Holyoke Media
| This exclusive event boasts a fantastic lineup of knowledgeable professionals who will engage in a dynamic conversation moderated by UMassFive College Credit Union. Through their expertise, attendees will gain valuable insight into various financial matters pertinent to personal and professional growth. | | | |
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Master Your Management Skills
February 28 • 12–1 PM EST
Virtual
| Facing leadership hurdles? It's time to tap into your leadership operating system — your internal behavioral control system that guides how you operate, interact, and make decisions. Join Rach SebellShavit, Leadership Development Expert and Founder/CEO of HELM365 for a free interactive session designed to help you take the first step in uncovering the key to overcoming these hurdles and excelling in your role as a manager. | | | |
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Lead Effectively without Self-Sabotage
March 13 • 3–5 PM EST
Western MA Office or Virtual
| Join Jessi Kirley and Julie Haagenson, of JKirley Collective, in a workshop for those who believe that workplace wellness is integral to success. As leaders, our ability to manage how we show up when we are under stress has a significant impact not only on our personal well being, but on the well-being and performance of our teams. | | |
Share an event with the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce network! Email info@malgbtcc.org with the details. | | | | | |
