Thank you, MBA Orlando, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and the greater Orlando business community for your support in helping launch The Out Entrepreneur's inaugural live podcast recording and LGBTQ marketplace event. With your support, the event was an enormous success! The stories shared about the power of LGBTQ businesses offered encouragement and support for those of us in the rainbow family, and to our corporate allies, especially those who work in the world of supplier diversity.

On Monday, December 11, the Out Entrepreneur will host a live podcast recording & LGBTQ marketplace event at the Orange Studio to amplify the power of LGBTQ business owners, strengthen our business relationships, and celebrate our authentic selves. The recording will feature local out business leaders, corporate partners, and representatives from MBA Orlando and the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Together, panelists will share how they are creating economic opportunities for LGBTQ communities and strengthening supplier diversity efforts for leading corporations in the Central FL and beyond. People living in the region can secure their early bird tickets here: https://livepodcast.eventbrite.ca, and for fans around the world, you can tune in live by visiting Rhodes Perry's YouTube Channel, and tuning in at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT.

Changing workplace culture is hard. Creating a workplace culture of belonging can seem even more daunting. To get the support you need to implement your organization’s D&I ethos into everyday best practices, consider participating in the next RPC live webinar on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern. The webinar will offer concrete strategies to help cultivate a workplace culture of belonging. Register for free by clicking here.

On Thursday, November 9 at 11:00 am Pacific/2:00 pm Eastern, the RPC team will host a live webinar offering participants simple and effective strategies on how to cultivate a workplace cultures of belonging. The webinar will accomplish two goals: 1) clarify why workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion matter, and; 2) define how any professional in the workplace can take personal actions to cultivate it. Whether you’re a senior executive or new to the workplace, you’ll walk away with concrete strategies and confidence to welcome and include diverse talent, ideas, and experiences in the workplace. Save your spot and register today!

Coming out on the job remains an extremely complicated matter. Without a consistent federal law prohibiting LGBTQ workplace discrimination, it’s no wonder that more than half - or 53% - of LGBTQ workers remains closeted at work. This post offers strategies to first consider before coming out on the job. If after reading this post, you would like to receive additional support, consider scheduling a 1:1 coaching call with me where we will explore your motivations to come out, and weigh all the factors before taking action.

The resources offered in this blog post are designed to help business executives communicate the LGBTQ business case. If you are struggling to create a workplace culture of belonging for LGBTQ and other underrepresented stakeholders, consider enrolling in the October LGBTQ A-Z Certification Program. Once you’re enrolled, you’ll receive four weeks of individual and group mentorship delivering the support you need to transform your workplace into one where LGBTQ stakeholders know that they belong. Use the enrollment code AUTUMN and receive an exclusive registration discount. Click here to enroll today.

In honor of October's LGBTQ History Month, I'm very pleased to announce the next offering of the LGBTQ A-Z Certification, which kicks off on Monday, October 2. The program offers individual and group mentorship for executive, HR, and diversity professionals looking for proven strategies to build a culture of belonging for their LGBTQ stakeholders. When you enroll by Friday, you will receive 50% off of the registration fee when using the promo code AUTUMN. Visit www.rhodesperry.com/mentorship to enroll today!

Over the past century, the workplace has evolved in significant ways. Unfortunately, what hasn’t changed for many workplaces is the physical nature of the office – it’s often overlooked as a source for building inclusive environments where teams can thrive. Given this pain point, experts have a wide variety of solutions to reimagine traditional office environments that can help drive innovation, cross-cultural collaboration, and a spirit of inclusion. This blog post offers strategies on how to up the ante of your office space. For leaders interested in communicating why creating an inspiring and inclusive workplace is critical, register for the next RPC free webinar on the topic by clicking here.

Are you a young professional craving the satisfaction that comes from helping businesses improve their workplace cultures for diverse employees? Are you comfortable joining a virtual team that knows how to balance hard work with good fun? Are you more than okay working on projects that promote entrepreneurship, social justice, LGBTQ movement building, and employment equity issues? You just might have what it takes to join the RPC team…

Happy Pride! For LGBTQ and ally folks looking to keep pride alive beyond June, consider committing to taking one, some, or all of the following actions in your workplace over the next 11 months. These actions are designed to help create a more inclusive environment for your LGBTQ colleagues. If you’re shot on time, consider registering for the next free RPC webinar all about making the LGBTQ business case to your leadership team. To prepare for the webinar, check out some of the available research to help craft your own talking points, and come to the webinar hungry with questions. There will be plenty of time for Q&A to help build your own business case.

Happy Pride! This post provides some background as to why we celebrate Pride Month, and it also offers resources to help you create space for Pride at work throughout the year. As a next step, consider registering for the next free RPC webinar all about making the LGBTQ business case to your leadership team. To prepare for the webinar, check out some of the available research to help craft your own talking points, and come to the session hungry with questions. There will be plenty of time for Q&A to help build your own business case.

As The Out Entrepreneur podcast grows in audience size, a curious discovery occurred earlier this week. I learned the podcast's iTunes page was hacked. As of this date, a completely different show title, host, description, and podcast category is layered over my own show's artwork and reviews. I'm currently working to resolve the issue, and hope that the content of the show inspired an iTunes hack-job. Given the current political and social climate, it wouldn’t be a stretch to make such a claim. Until I can track down more information and evidence, it’s simply speculation at this point. Given Apple’s strong support of LGBTQ people, and their faith in LGBTQ leaders (yay Tim Cook), it’s my hope that their team swiftly resolves this issue. If you have any guidance or suggestions on additional next steps, I’m all ears.

When the topic of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) management is addressed, senior executives and board members sometimes raise concerns about some stakeholders “losing power” when an organization commits to engaging, empowering, and elevating historically underrepresented and undervalued stakeholders into the highest levels of an organization in aggressive and achievable ways. These leaders falsely believe that DEI is a zero-sum game, or the idea that when one person gains something, another loses something in exactly the same amount. This post confirms through research and anecdotal experiences that DEI is instead a game where all parties can truly win. If you are curious about how to begin a DEI dialogue in your own organization, let’s set up a time to talk.

On Friday, May 5 at 11:00 am Pacific/2:00 pm Eastern, RPC will offer a FREE live webinar for those interested in learning more about the LGBTQ A-Z Certification mentorship program. This program offers proven and affordable solutions to help executive, human resources, and diversity professionals more effectively engage LGBTQ talent, markets, and suppliers within four weeks. Professionals interested in learning more about this program are encouraged to register for the FREE live webinar today. Those that participate on the live webinar will be eligible for an exclusive enrollment discount. The LGBTQ A-Z Certification begins on Monday, June 5 and participation is limited to the first 20 people.

Earlier this month I had the privilege of presenting at Project Harmony’s 10th Annual Speaking of Children Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. I was asked to lead a series of breakout sessions helping child welfare practitioners understand the needs of LGBTQ young people in foster care settings. After the session, I shared 10 resources to support child welfare practitioners deliver LGBTQ affirming services. If you find these resources helpful, subscribe to the RPC Newsletter, where you’ll receive exclusive content like next Friday’s (5/5) complimentary webinar all about creating inclusive organizations for LGBTQ stakeholders. Register today by clicking here: http://www.rhodesperry.com/register.

The march offering of the LGBTQ A-Z Mentorship Program is in full bloom! During our last coaching call, one of the participants requested simple strategies that can be implemented today to cultivate a LGBTQ inclusive workplace. I loved the question, and wanted to expand upon the response I offered on the call here. So without further ado, included below are 7 basic actions everyone from senior leaders to front line staff can take to demonstrate a true commitment to respecting LGBTQ people at work.

Are you thinking about how to fit LGBTQ people and perspectives into your workplace’s diversity & inclusion framework? If so, who are you turning to for support? Are you simply relying on your colleagues, or are you determined to bootstrap your own solutions? Have you arrived at a place where you are now seeking proven solutions that don’t break the bank, and connects you to a community of like-minded professionals? If you’re struggling with answering these questions, look no further. The LGBTQ A-Z Certification will deliver affordable solutions, and increase your confidence in implementing proven diversity & inclusion interventions. Watch this free webinar all about the program, http://www.rhodesperry.com/webinar, and then enroll by visiting, www.rhodesperry.com/mentorship.

Today marks the official launch of The Out Entrepreneur, a weekly Podcast where I have the privilege of connecting with some of today’s most authentic LGBTQ entrepreneurs. The show was created for the LGBTQ entrepreneur, business owner, or start-up founder, and the conversations are intended to inspire the next generation of out bosses. Each podcast episode runs around 25 minutes, offers actionable advice, and introduces listeners to some of the 1.4 million LGBTQ entrepreneurs crushing it in business, all while bringing their whole selves to work. Guests reflect upon the ups-and-the-downs of building their business, all in an effort to inspire fellow bosses to take action, and unapologetically be authentic, 100% of the time.

On Friday, January 27 at 11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern, RPC will offer a FREE live webinar for those interested in learning more about the LGBTQ A-Z Certification mentorship program. This program offers proven and affordable solutions to help executive, HR, and diversity professionals more effectively engage LGBTQ talent, markets, and suppliers within four weeks. Professionals interested in learning more about this program are encouraged to register for the FREE live webinar today. Those that participate on the live webinar will be eligible for a 10% enrollment discount. The LGBTQ A-Z Certification begins on Monday, March 6 and participation is limited to the first 20 people.

This post is for executive, HR, and diversity professionals struggling to effectively engage LGBTQ people in meaningful ways, comply with existing non-discrimination laws, and implement workplace policies that attract top talent and new customers. It details The LGBTQ A-Z Certification, a mentorship program that offers proven and affordable solutions to address these challenges within four weeks. Professionals interested in learning more about this program are encouraged to register for a FREE live webinar on Friday, January 27 at 11:00 am/2:00 pm. In advance, participants are encouraged to share their opinion about the type of mentorship they desire here. The LGBTQ A-Z Certification begins on Monday, March 6 and participation is limited to the first 20 people.