Diversity & Inclusion
Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce's Values
The Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce (GNHCC) is committed to representing our diverse population by providing opportunities for growth and advancement for all businesses. We respect the culturally rich communities within the Greater New Haven region where we work, live, and conduct business.
The Chamber’s legislative priorities, programs, and services reflect the region’s diverse marketplace and the business professionals it serves. We support diverse and minority-owned businesses through inclusion and collaboration with all businesses and community leaders. The Chamber’s work focuses on achieving economic parity and equity.
Inclusive Growth
Economic expansion that ensures traditionally underrepresented and marginalized communities benefit. The goal is to create opportunities where all individuals—regardless of ethnicity, income level, gender, or background—can not only participate in economic progress but also prosper and thrive.
Diversity & Inclusion Council
The Diversity & Inclusion Council empowers Chamber members to drive business growth and profitability through effective D&I strategies. By fostering inclusive workplaces, attracting diverse talent, and expanding market reach, we help businesses thrive while strengthening the Greater New Haven economy.
GNHCC’S Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals:
- Incorporate Inclusive Growth as core to how the Chamber operates.
- Create a unified and consistent culture of inclusion between all GNHCC members ensuring all feel welcome.
- Speak out against biases, barriers, and policies that disenfranchise and marginalize people and communities of color and prevent Black, Hispanic and other minority-owned businesses from reaching their full economic potential.
- Build alliances and support other groups that promote economic inclusion.
- Develop programs and partnerships for diverse business owners and professionals to grow and thrive economically.
- Partner and develop legislative goals that promote business and economic access.
The Chamber Proudly Employs an Inclusive Growth Coordinator:
To make real change and achieve inclusive growth in the community, the Chamber must use its platform to be an advocate and take coordinated action to promote economic access. The Inclusive Growth Coordinator provides an opportunity for the Chamber to be an active partner with community-based organizations in the city and region while also coordinating new opportunities for inclusive initiatives. The Inclusive Growth Coordinator ensures the Chamber continues making investments in all businesses, including diverse-owned ones. The Inclusive Growth Coordinator will also ensure special attention is paid toward capacity building while maintaining an emphasis on expanding access and opportunity.
Diversity & Inclusion Council:
The GNHCC recognizes the region’s value, strength, and competitive edge within its diverse communities. The role of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council is to assist its business partners in serving its wide-ranging customer base, hence increasing economic success for all. The GNHCC champions access and equity of opportunity through inclusion of all its members and business partners.
GNHCC’S Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals
- Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk of Inclusive Growth
- Create a unified and consistent culture of inclusion between all members
- Promote ongoing internal & Chamber-wide diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) training
- Speak out against systemic racism, biases, barriers, and policies that disenfranchise and marginalize people and communities of color
- Promote disability-owned businesses and the employment of people with disabilities
- Promote LGBTQIA+-owned businesses and the employment of LGBTQIA+ individuals while speaking out against barriers
- Build alliances and support other groups that promote economic inclusion
- Develop programs and partnerships for diverse business owners and professionals to grow and thrive economically
- Partner and develop legislative goals that promote business and economic access
The Chamber's Continued Work
-
Supporting Inclusive
Economic Growth -
Diverse Board of Directors
& Administrative Team -
Inclusive Growth Coordinator
-
Diversity, Equity &
Inclusion Council -
Promotion
- Build partnerships – Establish relationships with organizations already embedded in diverse communities
- Support minority-owned businesses – Through Chamber staff and the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council
- Provide access, connections, and resources for diverse businesses
- Direct outreach in diverse business districts across New Haven
- Develop procurement initiatives with anchor companies and partner organizations
The Chamber is committed to maintaining a diverse Board of Directors and Administrative Team to uphold our Diversity and Inclusion values.
To make real change and achieve inclusive growth in the community, the Chamber must use its platform to be an advocate and take coordinated action to promote economic access. The Inclusive Growth Coordinator provides an opportunity for the Chamber to be an active partner with community-based organizations in the city and region while also coordinating new opportunities for inclusive initiatives. The Inclusive Growth Coordinator ensures the Chamber continues making investments in BIPOC-owned businesses. The Inclusive Growth Coordinator will also ensure special attention is paid toward capacity building while maintaining an emphasis on expanding access and opportunity. The Inclusive Growth Coordinator will work to promote the State’s own procurement efforts to support a diverse supplier base. This includes:
- Creating additional programs to improve access to capital and development resources for BIPOC-owned businesses
- Ensuring economic growth is occurring at the same pace in minority communities by directly investing in businesses in
economically distressed areas - Increasing supplier diversity programs within the State to promote economic opportunity
The GNHCC recognizes the region’s value, strength, and competitive edge within its diverse communities. The role of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council is to assist its business partners in serving its wide-ranging customer base, hence increasing economic success for all. The GNHCC champions access and equity of opportunity through the intentional inclusion of all its members and business partners.
Monthly Inclusive Business Spotlight in the Chamber’s email newsletter highlighting Black, BIPOC, minority, women, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and veteran-owned businesses. This digital advertisement promotes diverse businesses, encouraging members to do business with each other. Diverse businesses are also published in the Chamber’s BIPOC and Diverse Business Enterprises Directory, which provides a central location of diverse businesses on the GNHCC website.
Invest in Your Business Today!
Our team of business development specialists take the time to learn about your business so that we can better address your needs.
