Affinity Inc Magazine is committed to the development and success of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender businesses and employees. In step with that commitment is an emphasis on the companies in corporate America that have made diverse and inclusive workplaces and supply chains a matter of policy. Once a year, we honor those companies that
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By Melissa Lowery When President Obama charged the federal government with establishing a coordinated government-wide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce in 2011, the U.S. Small Business Administration responded with action and practical application. Under the leadership of Eugene Cornelius Jr., deputy associate administrator for field operations, the SBA developed
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COVER STORY In 2012, John Taft, CEO of RBC Wealth Management-U.S. and great-grandson of President William Howard Taft, joined more than 50 current and former CEOs to publicly oppose a constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage in Minnesota. For Taft, marriage equality makes sense economically and personally. Economic impact Diversity and
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Maria Contreras-Sweet, SBA Administrator COVER STORY By Melissa Lowery The U.S. Small Business Administration is on a mission to modernize the organization and let small business owners know that they are standing by to provide support at every stage, from startup to expansion to globalization. Recently appointed Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet is leading the
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LEAD STORY At Affinity Inc Magazine, we are dedicated to the growth and prosperity of LGBT businesses and employees. Our mission is also focused on the companies in corporate America that are fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces and supply chains. Once a year, we honor those companies that are cultivating economic stability in the LGBT
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By Genny Hom-Franzen @gennyhom The IBM team at the 2013 Out & Equal Workplace Summit – IBM Out Executives from 17 countries with Ron Glover, Chief Diversity Officer. Since the 1880s, IBM Corp. and its predecessor companies have stood at the vanguard of innovation, information technology, systems and services. In 1969, the company became one of the first to embrace supplier diversity. “Diversity is no longer about race, gender, sexual orientation or disability — or numbers. It’s about broadening the definition and objectives to ensure we create a globally sensitive corporate culture that fosters and leverages diversity of thought and relationships,” said Tony Tenicela, global leader and managing business development executive. He develops commercial strategy for workforce diversity and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender solutions at IBM.
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By Eugene J. Patron, communications & marketing director, Point Foundation @PointFoundation Jorge Valencia, executive director and CEO of Point Foundation (left), accepts a check from Peter Lichtenthal, president of Bumble and bumble, a division of The Estee Lauder Companies. Today, it is easy for people to name celebrities and sports players who have publicly come out as being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. However, every year during the in-person interviews with finalists for Point Foundation’s LGBTQ higher education scholarships, there are young people who say to the review panel, “This is the first time I have met a group of openly gay professionals.” Many of these bright young people from communities around the country have never been introduced to a gay doctor, a lesbian lawyer, a transgender entrepreneur —
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In June, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced a nearly $4 million partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to encourage and support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender business owners and entrepreneurs in developing countries. This unprecedented agreement is the latest in a string of accomplishments
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By Justin Jones Since 1994, JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s supplier diversity program has been dedicated to the development and utilization of qualified diverse businesses, including companies owned by LGBT, minorities, women, veterans, service disabled veterans and disabled individuals. Diversity is a “cornerstone of our global corporate culture,” according to the global financial firm’s website. “Our long-term commitment to global supplier diversity not only supports the firm’s corporate
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