By Nancy Geenen–
It’s that time of year to pause and give thanks for all that we have. While we may count our many blessings, our community continues to be under attack from those who spread hurtful and divisive rhetoric. Our families, our communities, our people have rights that must be protected. We must talk and listen so that we discover more of what we have in common rather than that which others use to divide us. Our hearts go out to the families in Colorado Springs. At the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA), we will continue to reach out to help our members be seen and heard by our community.
Tony Archuleta-Perkins, GGBA Board President, and I attended the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) National Dinner in Washington, D.C., which was the final event in a week-long celebration of the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC).
NBIC Unity Week is a celebration of diversity, opportunity, equity, and collaboration in partnership with Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), Women Enterprise National Council, and other NBIC members. NBIC attendees received access to exclusive programming focused on building economic success as diverse suppliers to private and government entities.
NBIC Unity Week culminates in the National Dinner that celebrates the Best of the Best Corporations for outstanding achievement in promoting cross-segment diversity and inclusion. These Best of the Best Corporations have committed themselves to supplier diversity, intersectionality, and LGBT inclusion in the workplace. Tony and I connected directly with the leadership team at NGLCC to discuss our programming events for 2023 and the growth of our membership in the San Francisco Bay Area. We spent time with representatives from many of the Best of the Best Corporations, including PepsiCo (who hosted us at their table), Johnson & Johnson, Wells Fargo Bank, WIPP, and WBENC.
As we continue into the holiday season and move toward 2023, let’s focus on belonging instead of othering. Belonging is being accepted and invited to participate. Practice the Platinum Rule as opposed to the Golden Rule. Treat others as they want to be treated. Choose empathy, rather than reciprocity. We all want, need, to thrive uniquely. We all know what it feels like to belong. Share that experience.
Nancy Geenen is a member of the GGBA Board of Directors and is the association’s Secretary and Chair of Partnerships. She is the CEO of Flexability, LLC, a workplace equity & inclusion consulting firm.
Gold Gate Business Association Message from Leadership
Published on December 1, 2022
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