Mapping out business in the LGBT community, Lakeview's Center on Halsted housed the event "Navigating Your Business Through a Sea of Change," in its Hoover-Leppen Theatre Sept. 25.
RBC Wealth Management partnered with Windy City Times, Center on Halsted, and The Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to host the LGBT-focused business networking reception and event.
Following the evening's opening reception, RBC Wealth Management First Vice President/Financial Advisor James E. Elvord delivered the program's introduction and welcomed to the stage Center on Halsted's Community and Cultural Programs Coordinator Em VanderLinden, Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Christina Pinson and Windy City Media Group Publisher and Executive Editor Tracy Baim for brief remarks.
"There's a very strong synergy among all of us," Elvord said of the collaboration between the four organizations. "We realized as a group we're very strong. It's one thing to have three of us on a stool, but to have a bench with four legs, we can't begin to tell you how much stronger that is."
President and co-founder of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Justin G. Nelson was the event's keynote speaker.
"He's a dynamic speaker who really is grounded in the facts of what today's business climate is all about," said Elvord. "It's nice to be able to have somebody whose roots are in the community being able to be an advocate."
Nelson's lecture included an overview of NGLCC, DOMA's impacts on small and large businesses, information regarding current Supreme Court decisions and how the LGBT community along with its businesses will be affected. Nelson additionally talked about solutions to building solid relationships with allies to build and maintain strong business.
"The big thing that I wanted to get across was the importance of economic impact of the LGBT community," said Nelson. "I think impressing upon people in the audience tonight that there are real economic benefits of marriage equality, it is something important for this state. This state is leaving $800,000 a day in economic impact on the table, by not having marriage equality.
"Any member of the state legislature should be ashamed of themselves if they are not looking at the way that they can continue to increase revenues for the state, for the businesses, for small businesses and local governments, school districts, all of those folks that would benefit from the economic impact of marriage equality."
Nelson grew up in conservative Wyoming and now resides in Washington, D.C., where he is able to fight for diversity and inclusion, which he finds exciting. Relating to others in the business world as he referred to himself as a "red-blooded, tax-paying American," he expressed his thoughts that LGBT-owned companies should be able to bid on taxpayer funded contracts without worrying about being discriminated against or losing a contract.
"I think if the federal government is going to work for everybody, that needs to be inclusive of LGBT businesses participating in federal procurement," said Nelson.
Nelson mentioned in his speech, the average LGBT employee spends 10 percent-25 percent of his or her workweek worrying about being discriminated against or fired due to being part of the LGBT community. As a businessman and with interest in social justice, he added, that fear is worse in that productivity decreases. The solution he offers is to have work place that is inclusive, so employees can bring their best to their job every day. Although it is what Nelson calls a black-and-white issue and people have different views, he went on to say everybody understands green with dollars and cents.
The discussion also focused on the impact of the government and the Supreme Court Cases, while explaining their link to partner benefits and taxes among other financial concerns occurring in businesses.
"I think on the horizon, we can't let off the gas pedal on marriage equality," said Nelson. "We did have the Supreme Court cases, but it certainly doesn't mean that people in every other state other than the original 13, including Illinois, still don't have the ability to get married in their home state. There's an inequity there. We need to continue to focus on that."
Although, there is an issue with Illinois completely accepting marriage equality, Nelson described Chicago as wonderful a it has some of the best businesses, some of the most friendly people in the community, some of the best leaders from the mayors office on down, people who care about inclusion, non-discrimination, and their attention to ensuring people can be recognized and respected for what they offer. He even calls the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce one of the top affiliate chambers.
My take away is—as Justin was recognizing—is that there are allies and that there's so much more strength in bringing what the LGBT community brings together with its allies," said Elvord. "Together that's an unbeatable combination. We benefit from having a very strong economic business oriented base and they also gain from whatever strengths we bring, which may be financial in the case of RBC."
In the overall business arena, Nelson suggested empowering businesses to succeed. Communication, he said, is significant. If people do not connect, or attend networking events, or participate in organizations, Nelson said they are missing out on business opportunities.
"A couple of takeaways would be make sure you take every opportunity to talk about your business, make sure you are telling the story of who you are as a business owner, that people understand that you are a vibrant part of the economic fabric of your neighborhood, of your city, of your state, of the country," said Nelson. "Put it in those terms. Take pride in being a business owner and find connections whether it's through NGLCC or the Chicago area, or the mainstream chamber or whatever. You should try to belong to as many of these as possible. You never know who's going to be the conduit to a big contract or that star employee."
Photo, from left: James Elvord of RBC; Wanda Brackins, RBC - Head of Diversity, Global Wealth Management; Justin Nelson of the NGLCC; Carol Attak, manager Accenture's Supplier Diversity Program and serves as the NGLCC procurement council chair. Photo by Tracy Baim
