Latest news with #LGBTQ-owned
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gets Real: LGBTQ+ owned business in spotlight during Pride Month
A Seattle restaurant is cooking up delicious meals, all while breaking down barriers. During June, celebrating Gay Pride, KIRO 7 is highlighting local businesses owned by members of the LGBTQ-plus community. 'Fat's Chicken and Waffles' has been serving up chicken and waffles and a whole lot more in Seattle's Central District for a decade. The owner and main server happen to be a married couple, a couple of Erikas! They are a couple in business, a couple in life, too. And don't you dare misspell the first name they both share. 'It's E-R-I-K-A,' said Erika Kidd, laughing. 'And we are the Erikas!' chimed in Erika White. Erika White and her wife, Erika Kidd, delicately navigate the space at White's restaurant 'Fat's Chicken and Waffles' in Seattle's Central District. Why did you want to open a restaurant? White was asked. 'Ah, well, when I was growing up my father was a chef,' White said. 'So, you know, our house was like the host house and it was always like great parties and good food. And, you know, I love to cook as well.' But White had other loves, too. She was on the 1987 Garfield High School Girls' State Championship Basketball Team. And she was big in Seattle's hip-hop scene until the 2010s. That's when she reconnected with Erika Kidd and opened Fat's Chicken. 'It's been 10 years, all the way across the board,' Kidd said. 'Yeah, it's been a great journey, yeah.' 'You're both gay,' they were asked. 'Has that ever been a factor at all in your work, in your, in the way the community has treated you?' 'I mean, it's different for everybody, I guess, you know,' Kidd said. 'Family and friends and community, you know.' 'I feel like our friends, even our straight friends, you know everyone just, there's just love,' White said. 'At our wedding it was just love.' Fat's Chicken and Waffles is one of several LGBTQ-plus businesses featured by The Intentionalist, a Seattle-based social enterprise focused on giving incentives to the rest of us to spend our money here. 'Folks will be able to explore and hopefully discover LGBTQ-owned small businesses. Laura Clise is The Intentionalist's founder and CEO. 'Folks can enjoy a free treat thanks to the BECU equity in action pre-pay tab,' said Clise. 'And our hope is folks get a little taste and then come back for more.' A little taste of Pride, too. Eight LGBTQ-plus restaurants in the greater Seattle area are featured on the Intentionalist's website.
Fox News
19-02-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Death of DEI is a massive reminder there are better ways to run a business
Once embraced as a moral imperative and business imperative in the wake of the 2020 protests, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs are now under intense political and regulatory scrutiny. Major companies — from Walmart to Google — are scaling back these initiatives, as the Trump administration condemns DEI with federal contractors and activist pressures mount. In this volatile environment, many leaders are exploring an alternative approach: decision-making frameworks grounded in evidence-based, merit-driven processes. Over the past few months, DEI initiatives have increasingly become a lightning rod for controversy. A growing list of U.S. companies, including Target, Meta Platforms, Amazon, McDonald's and Ford, is retreating from DEI commitments in response to mounting legal and political pressures. For example, Tractor Supply eliminated several DEI roles and abandoned sponsorship of events like Pride Month following vocal criticism from conservative circles. Similarly, Walmart phased out supplier programs specifically designed to support minority and LGBTQ-owned businesses. Such moves highlight the growing political and cultural divide over how companies should address diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Federal government actions have only accelerated the trend. In his second term, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives within federal agencies. These orders, which have resulted in placing DEI staff on administrative leave and even compiling watchlists of federal employees engaged in equity efforts, have created an atmosphere of uncertainty. When even government policies become subject to ideological battles, corporate leaders are increasingly wary of investing in programs that may attract controversy or legal challenges. In response, many organizations have experimented with rebranding their DEI initiatives, replacing the term "diversity, equity, and inclusion" with alternatives like "belonging" or "culture-building." However, these rebranding efforts often fall short. Critics view them as cosmetic changes that do not address the fundamental concerns regarding fairness or meritocracy. For DEI supporters, rebranding can signal capitulation to political pressure, leading to internal dissent and decreased morale. The result is a delicate balancing act where companies risk pleasing neither side. An emerging solution is to shift the focus from identity-based programs to structured, science-based decision-making frameworks. These frameworks emphasize objective criteria, measurable outcomes and transparent processes to foster an environment where fairness and inclusion are embedded in everyday business practices. By concentrating on decision-making processes, organizations can achieve many of the same benefits promised by DEI — such as improved hiring practices, fairer promotions and more collaborative teamwork — without attracting the same level of controversy. For example, structured hiring practices — where standardized interview questions and scoring rubrics replace subjective judgments — have been shown to double the predictive validity of job performance compared to unstructured interviews. Similarly, implementing evidence-based promotion policies tied to measurable achievements ensures that advancement is based on merit rather than personal bias. In response, many organizations have experimented with rebranding their DEI initiatives, replacing the term "diversity, equity, and inclusion" with alternatives like "belonging" or "culture-building." However, these rebranding efforts often fall short. Even collaborative decision-making processes that actively seek input from diverse perspectives can help companies avoid groupthink and drive innovation. These practices not only reduce the impact of unconscious bias but also align closely with the strategic goals of improving productivity and financial performance. Recent research supports this approach. Research from McKinsey has consistently demonstrated that companies with diverse leadership teams are significantly more likely to outperform their peers. Companies that have diverse teams achieve better innovation, according to a Deloitte report. By grounding decisions in objective, data-driven frameworks, companies can sidestep the ideological debates surrounding DEI while still capturing the benefits of diverse viewpoints and inclusive practices. This focus on outcomes rather than optics is particularly attractive in today's environment, where investors and market analysts are increasingly scrutinizing corporate governance and operational efficiency.
Associated Press
31-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
The Gaygency Earns Official LGBT Business Enterprise® (LGBTBE®) Certification from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
The Gaygency is thrilled to announce its certification as an LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE®) through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Supplier Diversity Initiative. As the leading voice for LGBTQ-owned businesses across the nation, the NGLCC plays a vital role in connecting LGBTQ enterprises with corporate and government partnerships. 'We're excited to welcome The Gaygency to our growing network of certified LGBT Business Enterprises and to the many opportunities available within our corporate partnerships and supplier diversity programs,' said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson and Co-Founder and CEO Chance Mitchell. 'America's LGBTQ business owners, including the estimated 1.4 million represented in our groundbreaking America's LGBT Economy report, contribute over $1.7 trillion to the GDP and generate thousands of jobs across the country. The Gaygency's addition to our network is a testament to the vital role LGBTQ businesses play in driving economic progress.' With this certification, The Gaygency gains access to a range of benefits, including participation in the supplier diversity programs of the NGLCC's corporate partners, educational resources, and opportunities to build strategic business partnerships with other LGBTBEs. The agency will also be actively involved in the NGLCC's events, such as the International Business & Leadership Conference, further fostering global collaboration among LGBTQ-owned enterprises. 'Being officially certified as an LGBT Business Enterprise® is more than a milestone—it's a testament to the power of representation in business,' said The Gaygency Founder and CEO Daniel Montelongo. 'This certification opens doors to new opportunities while reinforcing our mission: to amplify LGBTQ+ voices, foster authentic connections, and create campaigns that don't just drive growth, but progress. We're honored to join this network of change makers building a stronger, more inclusive economy.' About NGLCC The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBTQ community and the exclusive certifying body for LGBTQ-owned businesses. With more than 400 corporate partners and 72 local, state, and international affiliate chambers, NGLCC is the largest LGBTQ business development and economic advocacy organization in the world. 202.234.9181 About The Gaygency The Gaygency is an LGBTQ+-owned digital marketing agency dedicated to amplifying authentic representation and fostering meaningful connections between brands and the LGBTQ+ community. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in New York City, The Gaygency partners with LGBTQ+ businesses and allies to create bold, data-driven campaigns that inspire action and drive impact. With a mission rooted in advocacy and progress, The Gaygency ensures that marketing isn't just about reaching audiences—it's about resonating with them. For more information, visit The Gaygency Media Contact 917.946.3613 Contact Information: The Gaygency Daniel Montelongo (212) 287-7921
