NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce Denied Entry to The USHCC Annual National Convention

NEW YORK - Oct. 6, 2016 - PRLog -- NYC LGBTQS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DENIED ENTRY TO ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE U.S. HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

For the first time in 15 years, The NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce will not be in attendance at the annual national convention of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) due to the termination of their membership by the USHCC.  The event which begins October 9th in Miami Beach, Florida is the largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in the United States.

"The chamber members and I are extremely disappointed to not be allowed entry to this year's USHCC National Convention in Miami, Florida" said Rev. Carmen Hernandez, President and Founder of the NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce.  "It is a major disadvantage to the LGBTQS chamber members to not have access to the biggest networking event of the year which allows Hispanic vendors and corporate buyers the chance to establish partnerships and foster new business opportunities. Our chamber has been a dominant resource for the USHCC over the years, and we have facilitated many relationships with key stakeholder of major corporations."

Earlier this year the NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce received an official termination letter from the USHCC's attorney stating "… the Board of Directors had unanimously voted to terminate their membership and they were not authorized to attend any USHCC-sponsored events."   The letter failed to cite a specific cause for the termination.  Rev. Carmen Hernandez believes the termination is a result of continued questioning made by her and other local leaders, including Frank Garcia of the New York Statewide Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, of the USHCC's (1) lack of transparency, and (2) failure to hold elections as mandated in the USHCC's bylaws.

"We were the first and only LGBTQS chamber to be part of the national organization and the USHCC's decision to terminate the membership now results in the significant loss of representation of the LGBTQS community" said Rev. Carmen Hernandez.

The NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce and other local leaders attempted to negotiate an amicable resolution with the USHCC for months with no success.  Therefore, they were left with no alternative but to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for failure to abide by bylaws and that their terminations were conducted in retaliation to criticisms made against the management of USHCC's operations.

About the NYC LGBTQS

The NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a not-for profit 501 (c) (6) whose purpose is to assist in and facilitate economic development opportunities for LGBTQS in business and minority businesses in the borough of the Bronx, New York City and out of NYC.

The mission of the NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is to foster economic development opportunities for LGBTQS businesses in the Bronx & in NYC. It is our hope to increase the visibility and strengthen the place of LGBTQS in business in the global economy, starting with our borough. We are committed to providing the necessary information and resources to our community in order to ensure their success and endurance, while assisting in removing barriers and creating new opportunities for minority businesses. Historically known for its predominant LGBTQS population, the dynamics of the Bronx and NYC are undeniably changing as our community is preparing for rapid growth and development. This phenomenon is especially present in the LGBTQS business community as alliances are being forged and barriers removed. We intend to partner and work with government, corporate and small businesses, individuals, and organizations in order to assist in bringing about further development and opportunities that will assist LGBTQS businesses in being a viable competitor in the global market.

The NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
P.O. Box 115
Bronx, NY 10472

Telephone: (347) 547-6300

Email: nyclgbtqschamberc@live.com

Website: nyclgbtqscc.com


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