Barton L. Jackson II is the Executive Director of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce New York (nglccNY), which provides its members with transformational networking and educational opportunities that increase the financial, intellectual, and social capital of the LGBTQ+ business community.
1. What inspired the founding of nglccNY, and how has its mission evolved over time to address the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community?
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce New York (nglccNY) was founded on the simple premise that LGBTQ+ commerce should be visibly advanced for the benefit of a richer New York City and State. Our businesses build New York, consult our corporations, create art and culture, fund our community services, secure our health, and much more. We are an economic engine. The Chamber exists to preserve the best interests in support of LGBTQ+, diverse, and allied enterprises in the Empire State.
2. What are some common challenges faced by LGBTQ+ professionals running their businesses in the healthcare space?
LGBTQ+ economic contributions to Corporate America, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership disproportionately go unaccounted. This is a population of Americans persecuted since the U.S. was only a collection of colonies into the present day. And yet we persist and innovate our ability to thrive and contribute in meaningful ways. As a result, LGBTQ+ households and entrepreneurs often face greater challenges when it comes to access to business education, access to capital, healthcare, dedicated space to authentically convene in enterprise, and investments that will sustain positive economic impacts for our population.
3. How does nglccNY support aspiring or current LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals interested in starting their own practice?
nglccNY is an affiliate chamber of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). Through that affiliation, nglccNY helps businesses that are at least 51% owned and operated by LGBTQ+ U.S. persons be formally recognized as certified LGBT business enterprises (LGBTBEs). If a provider is working directly with corporations, this certification may be eligible for diverse supplier initiatives with a corporate purchaser. It’s also a way to let the community know, in no uncertain terms, a business is aligned by identity, which can be incredibly important from a healthcare perspective. We also provide convening space virtually and in person—every single month. We want to make sure our businesses are connected to one another and can strategically align their own investments or partnerships in a meaningful way. We also have education, programming, and accelerators through both nglccNY and through our affiliation with NGLCC. Lastly, the Chamber serves as an economic voice of its membership. The greater the number of businesses in an industry, the more data we collect internally and can leverage in our discussions with city and state stakeholders.
4. What opportunities does nglccNY provide for students or early-career professionals to network with LGBTQ+ business leaders in New York?
As a 501(c)(6) chamber of commerce, nglccNY does have a reduced annual membership due for students as well as professionals who may be employed where the cost of membership may not be covered by the business. We also partner with higher education to put on special events or educational programming when an interest is expressed to the Chamber. For example, we have previously presented to the NYU LGBTQ+ Alumni by volunteering four of our business leaders in business finance and personal financial planning to alumni preparing for entrepreneurship. Our United Together Summit also allows students to attend. This year we will be at John Jay College for a full day of programming on September 19th as we endeavor to be the connector of LGBTQ+, diverse, and allied businesses in New York.
5. What role do chambers like nglccNY play in helping the next generation of LGBTQ+ professionals navigate traditionally exclusive industries like healthcare?
Chambers are a place to convene and collaborate. Those that make the investment and put in the effort see the dividends of their community and business leadership. Our LGBTBE certification has pushed the conversation of LGBTQ+-inclusive diverse contracting as well as employment with a large swath of Corporate America across industries. When there is an industry-specific barrier, it only gets answered when the community gets organized, comes to the table with data, insight, and experience where the Chamber can then align nonprofits, small businesses, and corporations to create a more inclusive local market for talent acquisition and/or access to business opportunities.
Inspira Advantage is proud to feature insights from leaders like Barton L. Jackson II, to help pre-med students understand the importance of culturally responsive care and inclusive support for diverse communities.
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