New Jersey becomes First State to Legally Recognize LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses
Evolvere Consulting Inc.
About This Project
Summary
There are over 32 cities, counties and states in the USA that recognize LGBTQ+ owned businesses however, there is not one city, county or state that recognizes them legally (especially not the federal government). There is no point in fighting for better inclusion in business in a state if the state doesn't recognize you. In 2023 we succeeded with Executive Order #295 in NJ and then we codified the EO. New Jersey is now the only state in the country with such a law.
Goals & Objectives
This law now opens up opportunities for LGBTQ+ owned businesses in NJ (est. 50,000) to bid on municipal, county and state projects; allows LGBTQ+ businesses to get on the state's vendor list; allows LGBTQ+ businesses to access more grant funding for special projects or improvements to their business
Results & Impact
I was one of the architects of this initiative and when I was Executive Director of the Pride Chamber of Commerce, we started certifying LGBTQ+ owned businesses, which now total about 200. Now as CEO of Evolvere Consulting Inc., I am trying to certify 5,000 by 2030.
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