Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors’ Post

🚀 SomosVC is thrilled to announce that our Executive Director, Dr. Dr. Mariela Salas, is seeking to represent us at SXSW on a dynamic panel alongside Robert Gordon IV from BLCK VC and Jackson Block from LGBT VC. This panel will dive deep into the critical need for diversity in venture capital, an industry that drives the U.S. economy with over $160 billion in annual investments. Unfortunately, systemic exclusion has left Black, Latino/a, and LGBTQ+ founders overlooked in fundraising. Together, these leaders will discuss actionable strategies to reshape VC into an industry that reflects the diversity of our nation—leading to better representation and stronger returns. 🗳️ We invite you to support this important conversation by voting for their panel at SXSW: https://lnkd.in/eXWQunbC Let’s work together to drive meaningful change in venture capital! 💪🏽 #SomosVC #SXSW #VentureCapital #Diversity #Inclusion #BLCKVC #LGBTVC #LatinoVC #Vote

Happy Pride Month! As a fund that directly and intentionally supports queer founders and investors, we're working hard to find financial and share educational resources for you all this month. However, it's not been a very easy process as most traditional VCs haven't actively supported the LGBTQIA+ community. In fact, according to a report by Morgan Stanley, investors interested in advancing LGBTQ+ equity currently face barriers, including lack of investment opportunities (42%), limited research and data (32%) and not knowing where to begin (31%). If you're feeling a bit lost or discouraged by this lack of support in VC, please reach out to our team so we can try to come up with solutions together. #FabricVC #WeaveWithUs #VentureCapital #DiverseFunding #Investor #PrideMonth

Here are a must-know individuals to follow on your #venturecapital list

Excited to join Inc. Magazine and my fellow panelists M.V. Lee Badgett and Marc Coleman for an important conversation on the LGBTQ+ community and economic freedom and empowerment. It’s an important topic at a precarious moment for our movement. Back in 2011, I helped lead the campaign for marriage equality in New York. Our win there created enormous momentum that culminated in the Supreme Court granting us the freedom to marry in all 50 states. It felt like continued progress was inevitable. I no longer feel that way. The Court that overturned Roe has already signaled that Obergefell could be in similar jeopardy. The onslaught of anti-trans state legislation continues. We still haven't passed the Equality Act. LGBTQ+ people have insufficient representation in the C-suite and in corporate boardrooms. Nearly half of employed LGBTQ+ Americans still believe being “out” at work could hurt their careers. Things could still get worse. The "anti-woke" movement and the prospect of another Trump presidency loom large. Many corporate leaders are stepping back or staying silent at the very moment we most need them to champion equality and opportunity for all. And this is all happening at a time when almost three-fourths of Americans support marriage equality and policies that protect LGBTQ+ Americans from discrimination. This Pride season, we can't take our progress for granted. It's time for our community and our allies to champion inclusion loudly and proudly in our workplaces, in our communities, and from the businesses we support.

What's New to TheStreet... 🏳️🌈⚖️ The New York Pension Fund will vote against Best Buy's Chairman amid a dispute over LGBTQ support. This decision highlights ongoing debates about the retailer's social stances and mirrors similar pressure campaigns facing many companies. What do you think this means for corporate social responsibility? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️ 👉🏻Follow New To The Street for more! #bestbuy #corporate #businessnews #business #news #newtothestreet

What's New to TheStreet... 🏳️🌈⚖️ The New York Pension Fund will vote against Best Buy's Chairman amid a dispute over LGBTQ support. This decision highlights ongoing debates about the retailer's social stances and mirrors similar pressure campaigns facing many companies. What do you think this means for corporate social responsibility? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️ 👉🏻Follow New To The Street for more! #bestbuy #corporate #businessnews #business #news #newtothestreet

"It’s still hard when you’re pitching across the table to people that just see the world very differently." StartOut’s 2023 State of LGBTQ Entrepreneurship Report found: ▪ Only 0.5% of the $2.1T in startup funding was raised by LGBTQ+ founders while nationwide 7.1% of the population identifies as LGBTQ+. ▪LGBTQ+ founders created 36% more jobs, 114% more patents, and 44% more exits, despite raising 16% less funding compared to the average founder. ▪Of the funding raised by LGBTQ+ founders, 85% was raised in only 5 metros with San Francisco raising 6 times more than NYC or LA and 12 times more than Denver or Austin. ▪The largest metros without any LGBTQ+ founders are Orlando (FL), Charlotte (NC), and Birmingham (AL), all of which are located in states without comprehensive non-discrimination policies for LGBTQ+ people. https://lnkd.in/eics3hph #founders #vc #investing #pride

#PrideMonth is not over. In fact, in some cities like Tacoma, WA, it is just starting! This year there seems to be more backlash against our community, but as this piece by NPR points out this backlash is a result of increased visibility, and has been perpetuated by a small group of bad actors. "Corporates have NOT stepped away from the LGBTQ+ community and nor are they going to. Honestly, in order to future-proof their business, they have to include our community. When you look at GenZ reporting, 30% identify as or are LGBTQ. That is the future consumer and employee." With visibility comes backlash. Our community has had peaks and lulls between progress and backlash. "What the people who lead these backlashes don't understand is that every time they go after us it inspires people to come out and be visible." When it comes to corporate sponsorship much of the pressure to participate comes from employees. Today we are seeing ERG groups fight back against the backlash. Let's continue to be visible and let everyone know that we are not going anywhere. If you are in #FinTech and #FinServ and want to work with the LGBTQ+ communities, stay strong on your conviction because the future is #Gay! If you want to find out about UNITY™ Programship at Females and Finance and the other affinity groups of Females and Finance Community, please follow us, join the group and tag others who you know are part of our community! Sheryl Hickerson, Peggy Haslach, CFP®,CLU®, Katie Kimball Dyer Tara Meehan Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®, RICP®, WMCP® https://lnkd.in/gGCA8c88

Companies are reversing, limiting, or eliminating their DEI policies. What do white, CIS-gendered, straight, males have that is so superior to people of color, trans, LGBTQ, or women? And why is it so important to protect these straight, white, males so intently? My life is infinitely better because of the diversity that surrounds me. And, I'm a nicer person. Embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. It's the right thing to do. #adjEctifDesign #adjEctif #DEI #LoveWins

Let's go! 💪🏾 One of my favorite pieces I put together. Had an amazing interview with Kristin Malek about the importance of supplier diversity. Plus, Shruti Bahadur discussed how ERGs can help supplier diversity during our recent panel. Excited to dig more into this topic in the future. But for now, check out the guide below!