SEATTLE – August 27, 2024 – The Wells Fargo Foundation is proud to support GSBA, Washington State’s LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce, with a $40,000 grant aimed at expanding their supplier diversity outreach. This grant will help GSBA strengthen its efforts to support small business owners from historically marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+, women, Black and African American, AAPI, Hispanic, veteran, and disabled entrepreneurs across Washington.
The Wells Fargo Foundation is committed to fostering diverse and inclusive communities, and this effort with GSBA will enhance supplier diversity programs in Washington. One of the initiatives is the upcoming 2024 Economic Development Conference on September 9-10 at Amazon “Arizona” in Seattle.
The two-day event will provide invaluable opportunities for small businesses to connect with corporate and government partners, including T-Mobile, Wells Fargo, Seattle Children’s, Kaiser Permanente, and more. Additionally, the event will host networking and learning sessions guided by speakers such as Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, and Beto Yarce with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“With a generous grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, GSBA is expanding our annual supplier diversity programming into a new, signature event for small business owners: the inaugural Economic Development Conference! Wells Fargo Foundation’s support for programs like this one allow GSBA to prioritize LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other equity-seeking communities in achieving economic vitality and champions the power of diversity,” says GSBA President & CEO, Ilona Lohrey.
For more information about the 2024 Economic Development Conference, please visit: https://bit.ly/4eZJhYv
