Page 5 - BEQ Magazine Iss 19

Florida residents and businesses signal to centered on social justice and equality. and his ability to uplift anyone in his
all who need to know they belong. The Ocala Chamber and Economic company (pun intended). His skills and
Ryann Brooks has authored many Partnership is a catalyst for a prosperous passion for procurement and sourcing are
insightful articles for BEQ Pride over the community. The Ocala Metro CEP was second to the value he places on family. He
years, from @DoctorJonPaul to Nielsen’s awarded Chamber of the Year by the is a family kind of guy and he brings that
Matt Hanzlik to Desmonde Monroe to Irene Association of Chamber of Commerce quality to his team. He’s the kind of leader
Brank and her daughter Sam. This time Executives. The Ocala, Florida area was hit that cares about the people who work with
Ryann is writing about her conversation hard by the Great Recession with almost him at Nationwide, but it doesn’t stop
with trans activist Karen Kendra Holmes. no chance of recovery without rethinking there. He is committed to engaging diverse
As Ryann confronts anger, hate and fear how it addressed economic development suppliers and to growing the number
in her own life, Karen offers advice and — so they did through a merger and an of LGBTBE® suppliers participating in
an ear as she embarks on a new journey of innovative new business model. This Nationwide’s supply chain.
advocacy on behalf of her daughter Ashley. article is a tale of two chambers meeting Diversity is about the numbers;
Sometimes we find we can set conditions the needs of 21st-century businesses by Inclusion is making the numbers count.
and facilitate an environment that focusing on belonging. Belonging in the 21st century is the same
encourages belonging — a primary role for Charles “Chuck” White is vice president as it has always been — an inward journey.
parents of young children. Ryann rocks! of procurement at Nationwide Mutual In this issue, you’ll find that each of our
In the business community, belonging Insurance in Columbus, Ohio. Chuck is a subjects decided to belong first and then
can happen by joining community leader made for these times — a leader’s things shifted into place. So, what does
organizations. Seattle’s GSBA, an affiliate of leader. Besides being raised in a family belonging look like now? In the 21st
the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce of entrepreneurs and strong women, century, it means you are standing up,
(NGLCC), is an award-winning community he served almost 10 years as a Naval being heard (don’t stop until you are heard)
and social justice-centered agency. It Aviator with over 1,950 hours logged and taking action.
is not only the largest LGBT business in high-performance carrier-based jet
organization in North America, it is also aircraft. Since 2018, he has been leading Enjoy!
the oldest - it has been in existence since procurement for Nationwide and taking a
1981. From out travel to scholarships to special interest in supplier diversity and
community small cash grants, this affinity the economic impact in the community as
chamber shows up in the community to a result of their investment in the program.
be seen and heard creating space and When speaking with Chuck White, you
facilitating inclusive community building quickly come to understand his brilliance

BEQ PRIDE ADVISORY BOARD

LYNN KJ ROBIN MICHAEL K. JOY
C. REYES WARD, ED.M. PULFORD ROBINSON WONG
Business Value Artisan sysTemic160/ ECF Supplier Diversity Program Director, Corporate Vice
IBM Corporation Strategy Manager Supplier Diversity President, Supplier
Writer, Editor, American Airline IBM Corporation Diversity/Procurement
Communications (Retired) New York Life
Professional

SUMMER 2021 5
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