contents

Welcome

About the Chamber

Leadership & Executive Committees

Chamber Certification

Awards

Business feature: Kopitam

Business feature: 4West Lounge

Business feature: Superfine

Business feature: Henrietta Hudson

Business feature: Pierogi Boys

Chamber Committees

Government Advocacy

Benefits of Membership

Chamber Events

Educational Opportunities

Corporate Sponsors

List of Advertisers

Membership Listings

COVER SPONSORS:

Spanish Millenium

Red Thread

Zahn Law Group

340 W. 42nd Street

New York, NY 10108

www.nglccny.org | 646.964.5027

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Welcome!

Hello nglccNY,

Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker, they say. And it feels wonderful to be back among the incredible network of business and community leaders at nglccNY as your Interim Director over the next several months. My journey with nglccNY and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) began nearly a decade ago, and in that time, working with you has been one of the greatest honors of my career.

This is a huge moment for nglccNY — and the LGBTQ business community we serve in New York City, Long Island and across the entire Empire State. Our membership continues to grow, our Certified LGBTBE® suppliers continue to achieve unprecedented success, and our community partners continue to see the power and progress of the LGBTQ community being led by our businesses. And giving back to our community continues to be a critical part of our work — including the presentation of $100,000 in grants to LGBTQ-owned bars and restaurants in NYC hit hard by the pandemic.

2023 is just around the corner, which means nglccNY’s 15th anniversary as the LGBTQ and allied business network for the entire NY region is almost upon us. If you were looking for a moment to double down on your engagement with nglccNY, now is the time! Take advantage of nglccNY’s outstanding programming for business owners, including:

• Outstanding networking events, like the Members Monthly Mixers and New Member Breakfasts

• Exceptional training programs for your business, like nglccNY’s LGBT Biz Pitch and Certified Superstar pitch program

• Inspiring educational programs, like our Lunch & Learn series and ERG Roundtable

• Lead generation from our Business Directory and Member Spotlight program

And because our community never stops growing, neither does nglccNY. Our presence on Long Island has grown exponentially and will continue to see a huge increase in networking and business development programming throughout Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. If you have any colleagues or connections on Long Island, refer them to LongIsland@nglccny.org — we’d love to welcome them to the ever-growing nglccNY family. We are continuing similar efforts to expand in Upstate and Western NY in 2023, as well!

And speaking of growing, the incredible volunteers at the helm of the nglccNY Executive Committee are now supported by a new member: Gunner Gardner (they/them), Membership Manager at nglccNY and the Regional Certification Specialist for NGLCC. Their extensive experience at other NGLCC affiliate chambers will help all of our members — new and old — find success, connections and opportunities to grow in our network.

On that note: please remember our entire team is here for YOU. Please reach out to us anytime at info@nglccny.org for any ways we can help grow and support your business and our community.

THANK YOU for being a part of the nglccNY community and helping us bring more leaders like you into the spotlight you deserve. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming programming and events!

Yours in making a difference,

Jonathan Lovitz

Interim Director, nglccNY

Welcome!

Dear nglccNY,

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for the LGBT business community. NGLCC is the exclusive third-party certifying body for LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs).

As a member of nglccNY, the New York affiliate chamber and satellite office of NGLCC, you have access to a thriving community of over 900 members which include Certified LGBTBE® suppliers, ally-owned businesses, valued corporate partners, non-profit community partners, universities, students, and more – all dedicated to supporting the LGBT business voice of New York City and state.

After an unprecedentedly challenging year for New York business owners, NGLCC and our partners have never been more committed to ensuring opportunity and success for our community — one business and one connection at a time. The indomitable and entrepreneurial spirit of our LGBT family is what has made NGLCC the global leader in LGBT business opportunity, and we simply could not have achieved our success without you.

NGLCC has continued our ongoing commitment to connect our communities by increasing visibility and breaking down barriers for certified LGBT-owned businesses — over 1,500 strong, spanning all industry sectors, and many being in the great state of NY as nglccNY members

We are grateful for your strength and resilience as New Yorkers and want you to know you are a valued partner in NGLCC’s success. The innovation, passion, and drive you bring to the New York business community makes the American Dream more accessible to every LGBT citizen. Together, we are shaping an even brighter legacy for our LGBT business community. Together, we are ensuring our successes and opportunities can never be diminished. Together, we are NGLCC!

Warm Regards,

Justin G. Nelson, Co-Founder & President, NGLCC

Chance Mitchell, Co-Founder & CEO, NGLCC

ABOUT US

nglccNY is THE hub for LGBTQ businesses in NYC,
Long Island, and across the Empire State

By Jonathan Lovitz (he/him)

Interim Director

nglccNY

As the official LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce serving all of Long Island, New York City and the entire Empire State, the New York office of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce — nglccNY — looks forward to welcoming you and your business to our ever-growing network throughout all of New York City and state.

Businesses of all sizes and industries are welcome and will witness immediate growth. Whether you are seeking local customers or a national supply chain contract, nglccNY is the place for you to be.

nglccNY provides educational, networking, and business development opportunities that increase the financial, intellectual, and social capital of the LGBTQ+ business community and our allies. Business leaders in our community continually redefine industries and shatter stereotypes. From cyber technology firms to local restaurants and retail shops to consulting and farming, we power the economy of New York — and the entire nation.

And the opportunities for you, your business and your network are vast — and ever-growing. Our members range from sole proprietors and nonprofits to multinational LGBT-owned corporations with revenues in the hundreds of millions. The LGBT community spends more than $917 billion every year on goods and services, and they are more than 75% likely to switch brands when they know they are LGBT-inclusive. So let nglccNY help them find you!

And your next big customer might just be the City of New York! As Jonnel Doris, past Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services said, “A diverse vendor pool makes a stronger New York City, and we are excited to maximize the inclusion of LGBTQ certified firms into the City’s certification process. We look forward to our continued partnership with the NGLCC and nglccNY locally.”

If you are an LGBTQ business owner (or know one) and are not yet certified as one, you’re leaving opportunities on the table to help your business and be counted as part of our LGBTQ global economy. The NGLCC’s exclusive LGBT Business Enterprise certification is one of the most powerful tools available for LGBTQ businesses, opening doors of opportunity throughout the public and private sectors. It’s not just about unlocking access to billions of dollars in contracts, but also access to capital and business grants, mentorship and scholarship programs, diverse business training academies, and a global network of new B2B partners. You could join our ranks as a role model, job creator and future LGBT business success story.

nglccNY member businesses, whether LGBTBE certified or not, are also eligible for scholarship programs, mentorship and leadership training, and other business development tools you won’t find anywhere else.

The LGBT community is an economic force to be reckoned with — and every one of us plays a part in it. No one does business like New Yorkers — and wherever you are in the Empire State, nglccNY has your back to help your business succeed.

Leadership & Executive Committee

nglccNY / NGLCC Leadership

Jonathan D. Lovitz

Interim Director of nglccNY; Advisor, NGLCC

he/him/his

Jonathan@nglccny.org

Jonathan Lovitz is a nationally recognized small business and public policy advocate, DEI leader, and special advisor to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. He previously served as Director of nglccNY. At NGLCC he helped write, lobby for and pass the more than 25 county, city and state laws passed over the last decade, opening up contracting and economic opportunity to minority small business owners, including veterans, those with disabilities and LGBTQ-owned businesses.

He has led advocacy initiatives across America on voting rights, nondiscrimination, healthcare access, gun safety and more. Lovitz is a regular guest on MSNBC, CNBC, NPR and Bloomberg, among others, and has served as a keynote speaker for organizations including the US Dept. of Defense, Dept. of Treasury, United Nations and The Trevor Project. Follow on Twitter: @jdlovitz

Gunner Gardner

IMembership Manager, nglccNY; Regional Certification Specialist, NGLCC

they/them/theirs

Gunner@nglccny.org

Gunner Gardner is a new resident of New York City as of 2020. Originally from Austin, Texas, Gunner served as the Programs Director for the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce and an LGBTQIA+ Community Liaison for the City of Austin and State of Texas. A graduate of Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, Gunner played Division III NCAA Men’s Tennis and was the recipient of the NCAA Community Service Athlete of the Year Award in 2017. Gunner has since made their home in NYC and enjoys the numerous food choices the city has to offer along with performing as their drag persona Robin Rose Quartz at many of New York’s vibrant gay clubs.

Executive Committees

Ambassadors

Phyllis Mehalakes, Chair
she/her/hers
phyllis@nglccny.org

The Ambassadors Committee welcomes event participants, discusses membership benefits with members and guests, and manages the twice-annual New Member Breakfast. Phyllis is an associate real estate broker with Compass. She specializes in the sale of residential properties in Manhattan and Brooklyn including co-ops, condos, townhouses, multi-family homes and investment properties.

Corporate Engagement

Stefanie Francis, Chair
she/her/hers
stefanie@nglccny.org

The Corporate Engagement Committee builds new and manages existing relationships with nglccNY Corporate Partners. Stefanie is the founder of Hootology, a company that specializes in the art and science of smarter business decision making. Hootology is a Certified LGBTBE®.

Supplier Diversity 

Suann Ingle, Chair
she/her/hers
suann@nglccny.org

The Supplier Diversity Committee engages diverse groups and companies across the community to increase awareness of the economic power of minority professionals and business owners. The Supplier Diversity team works to provide opportunities for Certified LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) to gain exposure within corporate procurement processes. The committee educates the business community about the strength in a diverse supply chain. Suann is one of the country’s top visual communication consultants for trial attorneys and litigants and is the founder of SIA Decisive Trial Design. In July 2017, Suann also began serving a 4-year term on the board of the American Society of Trial Consultants.

Long Island and NY Regional Engagement

Kevin Claus, Chair
he/him/his

kevin@nglccny.org

The Long Island and Regional NY Engagement Committee engages with Long Island-based members and NGLCC Certified LGBT Business Enterprise companies through professional, personal and corporate programs. The committee plans and executes Long Island-based events and works strategically with local businesses to integrate them into the chamber with a guided view of how to leverage certification and the chamber to elevate their business. Partnering with the Corporate Engagement Committee, the committee identifies local Corporate Partner opportunities for nglccNY. Additionally, it engages with regions throughout NY State to provide strategic direction to grow nglccNY in their local area. Kevin is the founder and owner of Claus Coaching and Consulting LLC, specializing in leadership development, employee engagement, and executive and career coaching. Claus Coaching and Consulting LLC is a Certified LGBTBE.

Digital Strategy & Outreach

Marcela Aguirre, Chair

she/her/hers

marcela@nglccny.org

The Digital Strategy & Outreach chair is charged with expanding the chambers digital footprint, ensuring the mission of nglccNY is creating impact over all social media and digital platforms, in addition to identifying new opportunities for nglccNY and it’s members. Leveraging the power of digital for nglccNY, it is also the purpose of this chair to identify new opportunities to elevate the visibility of the nglccNY’s Corporate Partners, sponsors, members and advocates. Marcela is the founder of VINN Marketing, a purpose led consulting agency focusing on Strategic, Creative, Innovative & Results-Driven Digital Marketing Solutions, through Empathy Lens.

Awards

NGLCC, Grubhub and Playbill Award $100K to NYC Bars & Restaurants at ‘Pride in Times Square’

June 28, 2022, New York City, NY — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBTQ+ community and certifying body for LGBTQ+ businesses nationwide, and Grubhub, a leading U.S. food-ordering and delivery marketplace, joined Playbill’s “Pride in Times Square” celebration to present $100,000 in NGLCC/Grubhub Community Impact Grant Program funds to NYC-based LGBTQ+ and allied bars and restaurants.

Among the grants awarded were $25,000 each to Henrietta Hudson and 4West Lounge; and $10,000 each to Kopatiam, Baz Bagel, Pierogi Boys, The Crabby Shack, and Superfine.

“We often say at NGLCC that ‘If you can buy it, an LGBTQ+-owned business can supply it,’” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson. “That is especially true of the LGBTQ+-owned restaurants across America who kept our communities and first responders fed throughout the pandemic. We’re so grateful to Grubhub for joining NGLCC, nglccNY and Playbill for Pride in Times Square to spread some much-needed joy and inspiration to these outstanding businesses in NYC, as we have throughout the nation. America’s 1.4 million LGBTQ+-owned business owners have shown incredible resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, in turn, we can help them recover stronger than ever.”

“COVID has turned the restaurant industry on its head the last 18 plus months, and at Grubhub, we’ve been working hard every day to support our restaurant partners across the country,” said Amy Healy, vice president of government relations for Grubhub. “As the world starts to return to a new normal, we’re proud to partner with the NGLCC and provide these grants to LGBTQ+ - owned and LGBTQ+ - ally-owned restaurants across the country that are pillars of their communities.”

Of the over 100 grants to be awarded, 30% of the funds available are intended for businesses owned by people of color and transgender/gender non-conforming individuals. For more information on the Community Impact Grant Program please visit www.nglcc.org/ghgrant.

About NGLCC

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses, known as Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers.

About Grubhub

Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY, NASDAQ: GRUB), a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting more than 32 million diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 300,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

Business Feature

Kopitiam’s Malaysian dishes made from recipes passed down through generations

By Virginia MacDonald

Pang is a third generation chef specializing in Nyonya cuisine, a hybrid of Chinese and Malaysian food with flavor influences from the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Her family runs a restaurant in Malaysia.

She spent time as an event planner and in public relations before returning to her roots. Pang’s goal was to bring the family recipes to New York City, cooking with the style and techniques used by her ancestors.

“(I) was walking further from (my) own heart, and no one was continuing what my dad did,” Pang said.

She opened Kopitiam seven years ago. The eatery features dishes inspired by Pang family recipes.

The menu includes all-day Malaysian breakfast, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Criss Cross ‘Shrooms’ (red chilies, wood ear mushroom, served with a bowl of rice) and snacks such as Otak Otak (spicy grilled fish “quiche” seasoned with aromatic herbs wrapped in banana leaves) and Curry Puff (pastry dough, potatoes and fresh curry leaf). The dishes are prepared using ingredients directly from Malaysia or nearby markets.

The restaurant, which offers indoor and outdoor dining, has become a gathering space for local residents and workers.

“I didn’t expect it to become a neighborhood family place, but it did,” Pang said.

Kopitiam means coffee shop in Hokkien, named for her quest to bring the coffee culture to New York City.

“We serve food to connect people to people,” Pang said.

No reservations are taken at the restaurant, they allow walk-ins only. Customers order at the cash register, take a number and then seat themselves. When the meal is finished, diners must clear their own tables.

Pang sees the business as a spot where members of the LGBTQ community can thrive.

“I hire inexperienced kids from the neighborhood, hoping that would help them to work in a safe and comfortable place,” she said. “Some of them were not fully out due to their cultural background, but Kopitiam will always be the place for them to be themselves.”

Pang is a three-time semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation award and Kopitiam was recognized by Bon Appetit as America’s best new restaurant in 2019.

Pang’s restaurant was among those to receive financial awards earlier this year from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) in conjunction with Grubhub and Playbill.

Kopitiam, 151 East Broadway in the lower east side of New York City, is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For information, visit https://www.kopitiamnyc.com/

Welcome Home:
Owners of 4West Lounge Build a Community for LGBTQ Patrons

By Virginia Martin

In something of a turnabout in standard practices, the two men behind 4West Lounge first built a community, then established a business to serve it – and then another, with maybe a few more to come.

After Troy Berry and Brian Clark moved in together, they kept Berry’s old penthouse. When the pandemic hit, they invited family, friends and colleagues, many of whom also were Black and gay, to get together at the penthouse.

“Literally, out of our imagination, we said let’s create a SoHo House, meets Netflix meets WeWork kind of thing,” Berry said.

With New York nightlife closed down at the time, word spread and crowds began to show up. Then singers and performers with no venues at which to perform started asking if they could appear at the penthouse parties. Soon people were lining up down the block.

“We had security and bartenders and servers and point of entry, and I was like, we have a staff!” Berry said.

That’s when they went looking for a building where they could permanently park the party. On Aug. 6, 2021, they opened the 4West LGBTQ+ lounge in a building at 127th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem.

It could have been a foolish decision. Although Berry and Clark had backgrounds in business and finance, neither had experience with restaurants and bars. Nonetheless, it became popular immediately.

Berry and Clark noticed most of their patrons went late to the lounge, after 9 p.m. or so. The men wanted to bring in people earlier, and they expanded with a sister restaurant/lounge, called Next, located on 111 Street and Adam Clayton Powell. It is smaller and swankier than its sibling and known for its signature cocktails.

Both are venues where the LGBTQ+ community can go and be comfortable.

“For so long, we’ve had to basically blend,” Berry said. “Now that we have our own space, we don’t have to blend anymore.”

Then they started to pull together a geographic community, going to neighboring shops and restaurants and gyms and partnering with them to offer 4West members with discounts and special events.

They now have many events at 4West and themed events such as Taco Tuesday, drag nights and open mic night.

Berry said they don’t consider their businesses as just operating in the restaurant and bar space but in the life-changing space.

“Some people have told me they go because they don’t have family or friends here, so they go to 4West because they’re lonely. And they’re able to connect with other people … and they feel comfort,” Clark said.

“Welcome Home” is the theme of the lounge and, in fact, is emblazoned on the wall in lights.

They’re planning to spread that welcoming feeling by opening smaller venues in other cities. Already they’re looking for space to open in Atlanta.

Both said gay Black business owners are few and far between, and Black-owned gay bars are even more rare. They see a need they can fill.

“We’re just saying we’re happy. Come be happy with us,” Berry said.

For information, visit https://4wml.com/

Business Feature

Ever-evolving Superfine a mainstay in Dumbo community

By Marie Leech

In Brooklyn’s trendy Dumbo district, cobblestone streets are lined with dramatic architectural gems left over from the industrial days. Oversized warehouses have been converted into lofty spaces with cool restaurants, bars, art galleries and coffee shops.

One of the mainstays in Dumbo — an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass — is queer-owned restaurant and bar Superfine, which opened a month after 9/11 as the first farm-to-table organic restaurant in the area. The spot, at 126 Front St. in Brooklyn, has since become somewhat of a centerpiece in a community deeply rooted in the arts.

“The development here has gone bananas, but we are in our 21st year in this location and are very much engaged and a part of our community,” said Tanya Rynd, one of three Lesbian owners, all of whom bring a unique contribution and perspective to the business. “Superfine is a living, breathing environment that speaks to all people — gay, straight, families, kids. All different walks of life can come into our restaurant and feel comfortable.”

The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant features a changing menu reflecting the availability of the freshest ingredients, including organic pork and poultry, grass-fed beef, the freshest seafood in NYC, seasonal produce from local farmers and freshly made desserts. The restaurant also houses a gallery wall, which displays artwork from a different artist each month, and a stage that features musicians from down the street and around the world.

Rynd, a visual artist and jazz singer/producer, co-owns Superfine with best friends Laura Taylor, who is the restaurant’s chef, and Cara Lee Sparry, an industrial and graphic designer who oversees the restaurant’s design and management.

The idea for the restaurant was clear: They wanted a place that could be an affordable meeting ground for residents, tourists and businesses, no matter what age or socio-economic status. It was to go beyond food and drink — an art gallery, a live-music venue, a place to shoot pool or the perfect space for a private party. They would host non-profit and community events and support LGBTQ and other important causes.

The problem? They had absolutely no money.

“But we had a lot of vibe and we went with that as actual currency,” Rynd said. “Superfine was a barn raising, it took the whole community to raise this up; people from this real hardcore grassroots community saw an opportunity for Superfine as a meeting place for people to en-vibe.”

The initial startup money was raised through community donations. From there, Superfine was born.

“I feel like we are exactly where we are supposed to be,” Rynd said. “We have a huge art scene, a large music scene, and now we’re in the middle of a new gender revolution. This is a huge new opportunity for us to explore our network.”

For information, visit https://www.superfine.nyc/

Business Feature

Historic Lesbian Bar Makes Its Mark Again and Again

Photos by Molly Adams

Today, Henrietta Hudson, 438 Hudson Street in the West Village, is a mainstay in NYC’s queer culture. Founded in 1991, the famed lesbian nightclub embodies the freedom, fun and feistiness that its owner envisioned.

“This is a queer human bar built by dykes,” Cannistraci said proudly.

Cannistraci’s bar career began in 1985 when she ran inside The Cubby Hole bar to get out of the rain. It turned out she needed a job, and the owners needed a bartender. Cannistraci bartended there for five years and met, among others, the club’s “butch/dyke bouncer,” Storme DeLarverie, known in queer circles as the person who ignited the 1969 Stonewall Uprising.

Five years later, Cannistraci (along with business partner Minnie Rivera) reopened the space and named it Henrietta Hudson after the nearby Hudson River.

DeLarverie came to work with her.

“We were friends for more than 30 years,” Cannistraci said of DeLarverie, whose career included working for the mob and singing in drag with the Jewel Box Revue. When DeLarverie became ill, Cannistraci took care of her until she died.

For decades, the nightclub enjoyed a steady flow of first-timers and regulars who crowded in for dancing, pool, karaoke and themed parties. But that ended during the pandemic when the bar closed for 15 months. Yet, for five weeks, the bar set up a full-service COVID testing site for patrons and nearby residents.

With the world shut down around her, Cannistraci turned her attention to her ailing parents, who died during the pandemic, but not from COVID. Following their deaths, although grief-stricken, she felt more invigorated to reopen in May 2021.

“I knew I was going to do an entire brick/mortar renovation, and the focus would be on this being a queer human bar built by dykes,” she said. Cannistraci and her staff added additional seating inside the club and swanky cabanas outdoors. Other updates include expanded food and drink offerings, along with livelier DJ-mixed music and activities that appeal to a younger set.

“We wanted to do different layers of experiences,” she said, “and people just love it.”

Before COVID, the bar opened nightly – by necessity.

“A lot of my clientele back then were shunned by their families due to gay bashing and intolerance,” Cannistraci said. “I was open so they would have a safe space to go to, even on Thanksgiving and Christmas. But now things are different.”

Currently, club hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Cannistraci leaves the on-floor duties to others now, while she works behind the scenes planning events, ordering supplies and managing the place. Such seamless orchestration has paid off. The club was the focus of a “Late Night with Seth Meyers” segment that nabbed a GLAAD Award nomination, and its COVID site made it into a “Saturday Night Live” mention.

“I’m blown away by what has been created here,” Cannistraci said. “I am very proud of what I’ve been able to do with my team.”

For information, visit https://henriettahudson.com/

Business Feature

Pierogi Boys Bring Authentic Pierogi to Brooklyn

By Virginia Martin

Kinczyk said they believe theirs was the first food stand in New York City devoted to Polish pierogi. For most other places that serve pierogi, the dish is more of an afterthought than the star of the menu.

When Andrzej Kinczyk and Krzysztof Poluchowicz moved to New York in 2005, they made it their home.

But there was one thing from their old homeland that they missed terribly — pierogi. Real pierogi, the kind their grandmas used to make.

Their search for pierogi in New York didn’t satisfy them, and they started to make their own, honing their recipes until they had it down pat. Then they opened the Pierogi Boys.

The food stand is in DeKalb Market Hall, which is in the basement of the City Point building in Downtown Brooklyn. Kinczyk said they believe theirs was the first food stand in New York City devoted to Polish pierogi. For most other places that serve pierogi, the dish is more of an afterthought than the star of the menu. When they went looking for good pierogi in America, they always were disappointed.

The food stand serves three kinds of pierogi — a classic potato and farmer cheese pierogi served with caramelized onions, sour cream and fresh chives; a sauerkraut and mushroom pierogi served with mushroom gravy and fresh dill; and meat pierogi using beef cheeks and pork butt and served with meat gravy and fresh dill.

It also serves borscht and kielbasa, both of which are traditional Polish fare.

When Kinczyk and Poluchowicz first opened Pierogi Boys, they were “purely overwhelmed” and were running out of food by the mid-lunch rush, Kinczyk said.

“It was a very new idea at that time for the food hall to have a pierogi stand,” he said.

They also were surprised that about 97% of their customers were non-Polish people.

Making pierogi right is time intensive and requires a lot of hands, Kinczyk and Poluchowicz said. But the end result is worth the effort.

Diners can watch pierogi being made right in front of them at the Pierogi Boys stand.

What you won’t find at the stand is any Americanization or fusion. No, these pierogi are made directly from grandma’s recipe.

Kinczyk and Poluchowicz use fresh, local produce when available, non-GMO unbleached flour and cage-free eggs. The only exception is their pickles; they order them straight from Poland to keep their food as authentic as possible.

“We don’t own a freezer and we’re proud of that. We usually sell out by the end of the day,” Kinczyk said.

Not only is the dish of boiled pasta pouches filled with goodies, the comfort food of choice for Kinczyk and Poluchowicz, it is the national dish of Poland.

The “boys” did have a rough time during the worst of the pandemic. The food hall closed for months, and the restaurants still are recovering.

But they are undeterred. They are currently working on opening another Polish restaurant and specialty market in Ridgewood, Queens, where they both have lived for 17 years.

For information, visit https://pierogiboys.com/

What We Do

Our Committee

Ambassadors

The Ambassadors Committee welcomes event participants, discusses membership benefits with members and guests, and manages the twice-annual New Members’ Breakfast.

Corporate Engagement

The Corporate Engagement Committee builds new and manages existing relationships with nglccNY Corporate Partners.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Diversity & Inclusion Committee is the Gen Z conduit for engaging the diverse groups across the community to ensure that our Chamber is a reflection of our city and the LGBTQ and allied business community-at-large. The D&I committee drives awareness toward the economic power of Black and minority professionals, high-caliber women, and business owners. Through education and fortification, the committee works to strengthen the diverse business community at large. The committee also hosts events that promote inclusivity for all members of the community.

Supplier Diversity 

The Supplier Diversity Committee engages diverse groups and companies across the community to increase awareness of the economic power of minority professionals and business owners. The Supplier Diversity team works to provide opportunities for Certified LGBT Business Enterprise™ (Certified LGBTE™) businesses to gain exposure within corporate procurement processes. The committee educates the business community about the strength of a diverse supply chain.

Events & Experience

The Events and Experience Committee drives the engagement of prospective and current nglccNY members through the Members Monthly Mixers (M3) and all other special events. The committee works in tandem with the other committees to ensure every event hosted by nglccNY is a unique and worthwhile experience for its members.

Long Island and NY Regional Engagement

The Long Island and Regional NY Engagement Committee engages with Long Island-based members and NGLCC Certified LGBT Business Enterprise™ companies through professional, personal, and corporate programs. We plan and execute Long Island-based events and work strategically with local businesses to integrate them into the Chamber with a guided view of how to leverage certification and the Chamber to elevate their business. Partnering with the Corporate Engagement Committee, we identify local corporate partner opportunities for nglccNY. Additionally, we engage with regions throughout NY State to provide strategic direction to grow nglccNY in their local area.

Media & Communications

The Media & Communications Committee amplifies the work of nglccNY and its members to grow our visibility and solidify our role as the business voice of the LGBT community.

Digital Strategy and Outreach

The Digital Strategy & Outreach chair is charged with expanding the chambers digital footprint, ensuring the mission of nglccNY is creating impact over all social media and digital platforms, in addition to identifying new opportunities for nglccNY and it’s members. Leveraging the power of digital for nglccNY, it is also the purpose of this chair to identify new opportunities to elevate the visibility of the nglccNY’s Corporate Partners, sponsors, members and advocates. Committee Chair Marcela Aguirre is the founder of VINN Marketing, a purpose led consulting agency focusing on Strategic, Creative, Innovative & Results-Driven Digital Marketing Solutions, through Empathy Lens.

Government Advocacy

NYC: Certify with the City

“LGBT entrepreneurs in New York City will now have the opportunity to create jobs and develop innovations that benefit all who live there. New York City has a legacy of leadership in promoting inclusivity at every level of public life. Now, history has been made here in New York City, and this victory for inclusivity has once again proved our core values that ‘diversity is good for business’ and that ‘if you can buy it, a certified LGBT-owned business can supply it.’ We are excited to see LGBTBEs in every field, from construction to catering and everything in between, help grow the economy of New York City and beyond as M/WBEs and EBEs.”

 —Justin Nelson,
 NGLCC Co-Founder and President

Make NYC your next customer!

Thanks to a historic MOU between NGLCC and the NYC Department of Small Business Services, your NGLCC LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) Certification can now be used to help Fast Track your application to become a New York City M/WBE and/or EBE vendor!

The City of New York’s certification programs feature the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program, the Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) Program, and the Locally-based Business Enterprise (LBE) Program. They certify, promote, and foster the growth of the City’s M/WBEs and eligible small, diverse-owned businesses.

New York City spends up to $17 billion per year on goods and services. Getting certified will help you compete for these opportunities and access exclusive programs to help your small business grow.

More than 10,000 businesses currently benefit from New York City Certification, and the City is committed to:

  Award $25 billion in City contracts to M/WBEs by the end of Fiscal Year 2025

  Award 30% of the value of City contracts to M/WBEs by the end of Fiscal Year 2021

New and Current NGLCC Certified LGBTBE® suppliers can utilize their existing certification to meet a majority of the criteria needed to be certified by NYC’s Department of Small Business Services (SBS). The additional information required will be submitted via electronic addendum provided when a supplier begins the online application with the City of New York.

Get M/WBE and/or LBE certified faster with New York City, if you are already certified with their partners:

  National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)

  Women President’s Educational Organization (WBENC affiliate)

  New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. (NMSDC affiliate)

  Empire State Development Corporation

  New York City School Construction Authority

  Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Click here to explore other city, county, state, and public agency procurement opportunities that welcome LGBTBE Certification.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Business is all about connections. nglccNY not only focuses on business education and development, but also on creating spaces where real, meaningful connections between businesses, professionals and corporations can take place. Joining nglccNY is an investment in your business and career and is an important step in making connections with other people and companies in the region to further your success.

nglccNY also connects its members to important community issues and provides unique opportunities for individuals and businesses to make an impact on both their bottom line and their life. When you become a member of nglccNY, you automatically become a member of the NGLCC, and part of the growing and profitable national LGBT business movement.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS

In addition to becoming an nglccNY Corporate Partner, there are several opportunities throughout the year to attend/host/sponsor our monthly M3: Members’ Monthly Mixer events, sponsor nglccNY monthly professional development events, educational programs, participate in our Certified LGBTBE® supplier roundtable, and/or host a Certified Superstar event.

We also highly encourage and expect that our corporate partners in the nglccNY Network connect with our Certified LGBTBE® suppliers in your supplier diversity and procurement chains when looking at vendors to provide exceptional products and services to your company.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

The nglccNY has membership levels designed to fit the needs of a diverse range of businesses. Contact nglccNY If you have questions about which membership level is right for you.

Memberships for Your Business:

 Platinum Business Membership - $3,000

 Gold Business Membership - $2,000

 Silver Business Membership - $1,000

 Bronze Business Membership - $550

 Copper Business Membership - $350

Memberships for Individuals:

 Student Membership - $50
 Professional Membership - $175
 Nonprofit Community Partner - $300

CHAMBER
EVENTS

New Member Breakfast

Our New Member Breakfast is held twice annually to provide attendees an overview of our programs, events, and tools at a local and national level. Before and after our presentation, new members have the opportunity to network with each other and meet nglccNY Executive Committee members, staff, and Ambassadors in an intimate setting. Come and learn how to get the best out of your membership!

For questions, comments, and/or interest in hosting a future New Member Breakfast, contact Phyllis Mehalakes, Ambassador Chair at phyllis@nglccny.org.

Members’ Monthly Mixer

The nglccNY Members’ Monthly Mixer (M3) is THE not-to-be-missed LGBT business networking event each month. Make powerful connections with hundreds of fellow LGBT and allied business owners, Certified LGBTBE® suppliers, corporate procurement and diversity leaders, LGBT nonprofits, and even the occasional local celebrity or two.

Need help breaking the ice? No problem: that is what the nglccNY Ambassadors are here to do for you. We know there is no shortage of places in NYC for LGBT people to connect, but when you’re at an nglccNY M3 that means you are looking to help your business thrive — and we have the connections to make it happen.

EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES

Certified Superstar/nglccNY Biz Pitch

Certified Superstar and nglccNY Biz Pitch are both 20-minute mentorship programs where businesses that are at least 51% LGBT-owned and certified by NGLCC have the opportunity to appear before a panel of professionals from one or more of our corporate partners to provide a “mock” pitch. While both programs are conceptually the same, nglccNY Biz Pitch is a competition that runs throughout the year, culminating in prizes for the best pitches.

Each business has 10 minutes to make its presentation which should focus on a service and value proposition. Following each presentation, the panel (comprised of procurement and supplier diversity professionals) will provide 10 minutes of constructive feedback on style, content, presentation skill and communication. In addition, the panel will provide helpful tips to improve upon any visual presentations (PowerPoint, video, hard copy documents) that are used during the presentation.

Certified Supplier Roundtable

nglccNY businesses that are at least 51% LGBT-owned and certified by NGLCC are invited to attend several Certified Supplier Roundtables throughout the year. Roundtables offer certified businesses the opportunity to discuss best practices, learn from one another as well as from Corporate Partner Procurement and Supplier Diversity representatives, and hear from guest speakers on topics such as leveraging NGLCC certification, preparing for NGLCC national events, and developing your pitch.

Prior Roundtables have included:

  Panel discussions with Procurement and Supplier Diversity representatives from NBCUniversal, HBO, Time Warner, PepsiCo, AIG, New York Life, and TD Bank

  Coaching workshops for businesses interested in participating in nglccNY & EY Biz Pitch and Certified Superstar

  Guest speakers on topics such as sales, best networking practices, and how to do business with government agencies such as the New York City Department of Education

For questions, comments, and/or interest in hosting a Certified Supplier Roundtable, please contact Suann Ingle, nglccNY Supplier Diversity Chair, at suann@nglccny.org.

ERG Roundtable

In partnership with our corporate partners and various community organizations, nglccNY reaches out to LGBT employee resource groups (ERGs) in the New York metro area and offers customized interactive panel discussions, workshops, and content delivered programming. Hosted by various corporate partners throughout the year, the ERG Roundtable covers a wide range of topics including:

  Reenergizing ERG members and focusing ERG goals

  Leveraging ERG resources to make a tangible, results-driven impact on a company’s strategic direction and corporate decision making

  Expanding the role that ERG’s play in the community through advocacy work and civic involvement

  Enhancing supply chain diversity: access to high-quality goods and services generated by diverse business owners

Women Panel Discussions

The Women Panel Discussions are curated panel discussions aimed at increasing awareness and building thought leadership. The goal of the panel discussions is to showcase the economic power of high-caliber women, minority professionals and business owners.

We discuss ways women are challenged and succeed in building their careers and growing their businesses. The panel topics vary to ensure the inclusive activation of the female voice in business.

The panel discussions include the impact of female intersectionality on the individual’s professional and business journey, as well as how more women can be inclusive leaders and role models in changing the conversation to include all female voices.

Webinars

nglccNY is dedicated to our local network of exceptional Certified LGBTBE® suppliers, members, and business leaders. In our efforts to continue to provide you with resources and education to grow your business and professional community, you will find information on business development webinars, trainings, online matchmakers — both B2B and corporate, support with drafting capability statements and RFPs, and more, all provided by our local nglccNY members.

For questions about webinars contact info@nglccny.org.

The program’s mission is for NGLCC certified businesses to walk away with helpful advice from Corporate Partner representatives. Although these are mock pitches, these programs are a tremendous opportunity for NGLCC certified businesses to gain the following:

  FREE constructive feedback to help you improve your pitch, whether a casual elevator pitch or a formal pitch.

  A judgment-free, safe space for you to practice your pitch. Everyone in the room wants to help you succeed.

  See and be seen by representatives from many Corporate Partners. Participation is a great way to build relationships with key Corporate Partner representatives.

  Although Certified Superstar/nglccNY Biz Pitch is technically a mock pitch, many suppliers have actually obtained business from Corporate Partners as a result of their pitch.

  Learn what other Certified LGBTBE® suppliers do. You will likely be amazed to hear what some of your fellow nglccNY members are up to which could lead to ways for you to work together.

For questions, comments, and/or interest in hosting a Certified Superstar, please contact Suann Ingle, nglccNY Supplier Diversity Chair, at suann@nglccny.org.

Queens Coffee 

Best 

MAGAZINE 

AcademyL 

Ace Hotel 

Airlogix 

Alice-Austen House 

Antonio De Lucci Studio, LLC 

ARC Alternative and Renewable Construction LLC 

Balady Promotions 

Barton LLP 

Beardsley Events 

Best Ad Promos Inc 

Big Apple Group Engineering, D.P.C. 

BleuCooper Communications 

Business Equality Network/
BEQ Pride Magazine 

Casablanca Ventures 

CBD Kratom 

City Experiences 

CKP Media Corporation 

Claus Coaching and Consulting 

Cocktail Caterers 

CORCORAN 

Covenant House 

Destination Tomorrow, Inc 

DirectChoice 

Dr. Gerard Rosato 

East Midtown Partnership 

equalityMD 

EvensonBest 

Exit Gift Emporium 

Gardner Resources Consulting 

Get Beyond 

GET Phluid 

Gibson & Dehn 

Good Rebellion 

GTA + DESIGN LLC 

Handy Dandies 

Home Grown Meals LLC 

Hudson Court Reporting 

Hundred Fish Media 

Imprint 

Jeff Goodman @ Halstead
Real Estate 

Julius’ Bar 

KoMocean, LLC 

Law Offices of Rachel L. Kaylie, P.C. 

Lione Legault - Alibi Lounge 

Long Island Cares 

Maitri Realty Corp./
Realty Connect USA 

Meld Creative LLC 

Melody Man NY 

MGDK Architects 

MobileHealth 

mOdat Productions 

New Alternatives for
Homeless LGBT Youth 

New York Embroidery Studio Inc. 

Newburgh LGBTQIA Center 

Newmark 

NY Image Studio 

NYC Affirmative Psychotherapy
LCSW PLLC 

NYC Smile Spa 

On Beat ,

One Stop Grocery Supply 

Orange Mattress - Custom Bedding 

Oscar Wilde Tours 

Pathstone 

Phluid Phoundation 

Prime Content 

Rainbow Counseling 

Rainbow Mountain Resort 

Red Thread 

RingBoost.com 

Rivendell Media 

RMS Insurance Brokerage 

Sean E. Coleman, LLC 

Shaquanda Will Feed You LLC 

Social Strategy Associates LLC 

Spanish Millennium 

Stonewall Community Development Corporation 

Suann Ingle Associates 

SUTH MEDIA LLC 

TD Bank Inside Cover

The th Column PR 

The Clowdus-Rivera Team @
Cooper & Cooper Real Estate 

The Ito Partnership 

The Lure Group 

The Protein Bakery 

The Stonewall Inn Gives
Back Initiative 

ThoughtAction 

Toler Financial Group 

TransformingLives.Coach 

True Path Acupuncture & Wellness 

Van Goodwin 

Vibrant Spirit Quest 

Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP 

Visual Fuel Design 

Wed in New York City 

Weinman Schnee Morais Inc 

Whittington Consulting 

Wide Horizons Travel 

Wildfire Strategies 

Words and Strategy 

Zahn Law Group ,