#Boom Magazine joins the Gateway Business Guild; Officially Certified as LGBT Business Enterprise® by NGLCC

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - #Boom Magazine is proud to announce its membership in the Gateway Business Guild of St. Louis (GBG) and subsequent certification as an LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE®) through the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Supplier Diversity Initiative.



The GBG is a St. Louis-based non-profit organization committed to promoting development and growth of successful business enterprises within the LGBTQIA+ communities.



"We are thrilled to have #Boom as a member of the Gateway Business Guild, and as one of St. Louis’ first certified LGBT Business Enterprises," offered Jennifer Kovar, president of the GBG.





"It is really important for LGBT-owned businesses to become visible and contribute to the national data," Kovar continued. " It helps the community drive more commerce to LGBT-owned businesses, through individual patronage and through supplier diversity policies. It also helps policy makers understand the scale of our economic impact as LGBT-owned businesses and to help progress in the areas of non-discrimination and government contracts."



The NGLCC is the nation’s exclusive certifying body for LGBT owned and operated businesses.



“America’s top corporations are eager to do business with the LGBT community,” said Justin G. Nelson, President and Co-Founder of the NGLCC, “which is reflected in the ever-growing list of NGLCC corporate partners.”



With this official certification, the NGLCC, its organizational allies, and corporate partners now nationally recognize #Boom Magazine as a diverse supplier. The company joins the growing ranks of over 650 certified LGBTBEs.



#Boom Magazine is now eligible to participate in the NGLCC’s corporate partners’ supplier diversity programs, can take advantage of the vast educational opportunities promoted by the NGLCC, and can work to foster business to business relationships with other LGBTBEs.



"As a 100% owned and operated LGBT business, this was essential," said Colin Lovett, #Boom Magazine CEO and Publisher. "Aligning with the NGLCC and its corporate partners helps provide unique LGBT content to our readers and helps the providers to connect with the LGBT community we serve. The opportunities and resources provided by the GBC and the NGLCC are huge!"



"We're thrilled to join this community of LGBT businesses from across the country," added Colin Murphy, #Boom Magazine COO and Editor. "This will allow us to better promote our brand through collaboration and networking."



The NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative connects LGBT businesses with the tens of millions of corporate dollars being spent in the LGBT community each year. Today, the NGLCC has nearly 140 corporate partners who recognize the LGBTBE designation when making procurement decisions and who all share a commitment to ensuring diversity in their supply chains.



About #Boom Magazine



Founded June 2014, #Boom Magazine is a St. Louis based News, Advocacy and Community Publication Serving the LGBTQIA+ and Urban Progressive audience. #Boom Magazine enjoys an impressive reach across the region and nation and is media partners with LGBTQNation, the world's most followed LGBT news source. In February 2015, #Boom became the third entity in the world to migrate to the .LGBT Top Level Domain (TLD).



For more information, visit www.boom.lgbt or contact 314.502.9191.



About the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce



The NGLCC is the business advocate and direct link between LGBT business owners, corporations, and government. The NGLCC was founded as the exclusive organization for certification of LGBT owned businesses, and works to foster mutually beneficial opportunities for small businesses and corporate members. As the umbrella organization for 59 state, local, and international LGBT chambers of commerce affiliates, the NGLCC is the largest LGBT business advocacy and development organization in the world.



For more information, visit www.nglcc.org or contact 202.234.9181.



About the Gateway Business Guild of St. Louis



Founded in 2008, the GBG provides an environment for LGBTQIA+ business owners and local organizations to build an alternative community based on shared goals, friendships, relationships and trust. The GBC's goals are to promote networking, education, and professional development within the LGBT community and build support for both LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals.



For more information, visit www.gatewaybusinessguild.org.