The Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce Expands into Two-state Region as Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  | May 6, 2021                                                        

Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce was unveiled Tuesday as an expansion of the Charlotte LGBT Chamber with a vision to create the most vibrant, inclusive, and healthy economy in the Western North Carolina and South Carolina region.  For three decades, the Chamber has been the leading business and professional voice for the LGBTQ community.

"Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce will be a robust and impactful economic development organization by uniting the exceptional and diverse strengths across our region," said Chad Turner, who will continue as the President and CEO for the new enterprise. "This is a strategy-driven and bold step forward highlighting our commitment to our greater mission to foster equity, inclusion, and economic prosperity for the LGBTQ community through strategic policy, professional enrichment, ally partnerships and economic development."

The expansion will form a regional chamber throughout the Carolinas and exemplify a vision for strategic collaboration and unity. The new logo will highlight both states' mountain, piedmont, and coastal regions. Each branding element also supports the Chamber's theme of empowerment and connection through engagement.

Ciara Lilly, who will serve as the first Board Chair of the Regional Chamber, said, "With this expansion comes an unwavering commitment to foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the region. The LGBT community is powerful - we operate businesses, we create jobs, we add trillions of dollars to the US economy. Our collective voice needs to be heard and this expansion is the amplifier."

The new mark for the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce represents these unique areas coming together as one with a shared vision and mission. The expansion is an effort to provide much-needed resources as support to LGBTQ and ally business owners and professionals through economic and professional development, policy and advocacy work, and community engagement.

Starting May 4, 2021, the Chamber will begin working in regions throughout both states and currently has established membership committees in Asheville, Winston-Salem, Greensboro/High Point, Rock Hill/Fort Mill, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston.

The Chamber will remain an affiliate chamber of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The affiliation will continue to broaden the network of opportunities and shared strategies in the LGBTQ and ally business community. In addition to these strategies, the expansion will grow the current number of LGBT Business Enterprises, allowing our corporate and civic partners to access a larger pool of certified LGBTBE's.

"As we approach NGLCC's 20th Anniversary this year, we are excited for the newly rebranded and expanded Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce to grow its reach alongside our 60+ US and International Affiliate Chambers. By helping identify local-owned businesses for NGLCC to certify and by expanding the economic opportunities available to them, the Carolinas Chamber will increase the visibility of LGBT individuals and promote much-needed equality. The chamber will be continue to be a valuable partner in our work promoting LGBT economic inclusivity in both the public and private sectors throughout the South," said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson & Co-Founder & CEO Chance Mitchell.

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The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce mission is to foster equity, inclusion and economic prosperity for the LGBTQ community through strategic policy, professional enrichment, ally partnerships and economic development.