As part of our mission to promote and support LGBT business owners and the business case for their equality, along with meeting the demands of digital consumers, we have launched an additional phase of the Affinity Inc Magazine journey. Earlier this summer, we successfully launched AIM Digital — our subscription-based, all-digital, national business publication especially for the LGBT business owner, aspiring entrepreneur and executive, along with enthusiasts of LGBT economic empowerment. Shortly thereafter, we were able to showcase our ability to amplify strategic messages with the production of promotional videos for our partners. By the end of summer, we were able to expand our audience to national talk-radio listeners through my relationships with key media and communications outlets.

This flurry of activity isn’t a reactionary shift to a best practice, but rather a bold pivot to the next practice for digital media publications like Affinity Inc Magazine. Our actions are intended to build the media platform for communication among the opportunity providers and the traditionally underserved, underrepresented and disadvantaged communities. We want to undermine the negative impact of discriminatory practices by shining a bright light on the path to economic empowerment. Affinity Inc Magazine continues to assist the LGBT business equality movement in reaching the masses.

Shifting our attention to the best practices in this issue, we examine leadership in corporate America with Kirt Walker of Nationwide and in government with the State of California’s insurance commissioner, Dave Jones. Both leaders — one a corporate C-suite executive and the other an industry regulator — are working to make LGBT economic empowerment a reality. AXA Advisors’ Ellen DeSarno shares her perspective on financial planning even when times are looking good. A profile of the owners of the recently certified CreagerCole Communications touch on the newfound freedom and increased opportunity that comes with being out in business with their LGBT certification.

Also in this issue are many more best practices. Matt Kidd and Reaching Out MBA are inspiring the next era of business leaders to live authentically no matter what path they travel with their MBA. The SBA’s Many Faces. One Dream. tour hosted by Nationwide was presented in conjunction with the 13th Annual Mayor’s Small Business Conference + Expo in Columbus, Ohio. Tamara Fleming, co-president of the New Jersey LGBT Chamber, emphasizes the importance of strategic relationships with corporate America and the challenges of creating statewide awareness for the chamber and building membership from scratch. The Tyler Clementi Foundation launches the #Day1 school and workplace anti-bullying campaign to help more than 3.2 million students identifying as victims of bullying each year. Finally in this issue, we have full coverage of the NGLCC’s International Business and Leadership conference and more.

Visit AffinityIncMagazine.com to take a look at and listen to our next practice. Southern California Edison shares information about its supplier-diversity program at bit.ly/1L3uF6B. Capgemini’s Karen Jones joins me live with the XM Focus Group’s hosts Tim Bennett and John Nash for a conversation about being authentic in the community and in the workplace at bit.ly/1L3uYOX. If you haven’t already heard, the U.S. Small Business Administration and NGLCC have partnered to bring LGBT Business Builder to a city near you. Hear more about how you can benefit from the #LGBTBizBuilder at http://bit.ly/1N3aCpP. Let’s make the next practice the best!                                                 Enjoy!

 

 

Robin Dillard, Publisher