Certified NGLCC Business: How Your Business Can A NGLCC Business

Social Link is Proud To Be A Nashville Certified NGLCC Business

Social Link is certified as an LGBT-owned business by The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The NGLCC gives opportunities to business owners, companies and organizations, like Social Link, that may be viewed as a minority. The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce prides itself on being not only an LGBT business community voice but the largest advocacy organization that is “dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people, and the exclusive certifying body for LGBT- owned businesses.” Social Link, a Nashville LGBT-owned Inclusive Marketing Agency, is proud to be certified as an NGLCC Business!

Who is the NGLCC? 

The co-founders Justin Nelson and Chance Mitchell started the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) in November 2002 when they realized the impact of the LGBT community had gone unnoticed in the American economy, even though economic equality is, and has been, a huge part of the LGBT equality movement.

The LGBT community is an essential part of small businesses that make the United States economy thrive. Starting this organization around a coffee table, they knew that NGLCC needed to showcase LGBT business owners, taxpayers, employers, and providers of healthcare needed to have a voice. Now the voice of the nation’s 1.4 million LGBT business owners and 1.7 trillion enterprises add to the national economy each year. The business owners that the NGLCC represent have created many inclusive job opportunities for businesses and organizations while creating innovative business solutions nationwide! 

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce also enjoys the support from over 200 corporate partners and executive leadership that strives to promote pro-business and LGBT inclusive policies. The dedicated mission of the NGLCC has been to create an organization that could support LGBT business owners and the diverse talent within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

Due to the amazing team and board the NGLCC has, they have succeeded. Today, the NGLCC is expanding globally and reaching five continents while bridging economic opportunities and LGBTI human rights for the LGBT community. 

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce has an extended network of local affiliated chambers across the country and the world that you can become involved in to start making a difference in the LGBTQ+ community. Being members of your local chamber is a key to promoting LGBT businesses. If you join your local chamber, the LGBT Business Enterprise certification fees are waived – YAY! 

 How to become a certified NGLCC Member 

The NGLCC is the exclusive, third-party certification body that verifies that eligible businesses are majority-owned by LGBT individuals and subsequently grants Certified LGBT Business Enterprise designation to such companies as part of its LGBT Supplier Diversity Initiative. The NGLCC helps certified LGBT Business Enterprise companies move their Business toward relationships that can offer opportunities for a lifetime.

To qualify for the certification, your company has to be at least fifty-one percent owned, operated, managed, or controlled by an LGBT person or persons that are a United States Citizen or have a lawful permanent residency.  

The Four Steps to become a Certified NGLCC Member

According to nglcc.org, applying for the certification only takes four easy steps.

1. The first step is to visit my.nglcc.org to complete the online application process. Once you are registered, you will build your business profile. This allows you to showcase your enterprise to the other Certified LGBTBE® suppliers, NGLCC’s 140 Corporate Partners, and members. Once you build your business profile, you will be able to submit your supporting documentation to verify your eligibility for the certification. Once you are done building your business profile, a member of the NGLCC’s Supplier Diversity Team will be in touch with you to get you in contact with your regional manager. 
2. Once you complete your application will schedule your site visit with your Regional Manager (so exciting)! This site visit will allow the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce to verify the information you submitted in your application and understand how the NGLCC can support you long-term so you and your Business can flourish for years to come!
3. Then, after the Regional Manager visits, your application will be reviewed by the National Certification Committee. 
4. Finally, once your application is approved, you can participate in the Certified LGBTBE® Orientation Webinar, where you will learn how to use the resources of the Supplier Diversity Initiative.

 Benefits of Being Certified 

Social Link, owned by Brady O’Rourke, a member of the LGBT community, knows the importance of the NGLCC certification. The NGLCC certification has been beneficial for Social Link’s Inclusive Digital Marketing Agency. By Social Link being certified LGBTBE®, our Business has had the opportunity to compete for sourcing contracts with NGLCC’s Corporate Supplier Diversity Partners, eligible for the annual NGLCC Business and Leadership Conference, sourcing opportunities emails from the NGLCC, and being able to participate in mentorship programs, leadership trainings and networking events. 

Now that you know the history of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the importance of being certified and the steps to take to be certified, you are on the road to maximizing your business opportunities, network with local LGBT businesses and allied business owners, have local programs and events and so much more! 

Click here to start the certification process:

Click this link to start the process with the NGLCC today: https://www.nglcc.org/get-certified.