The Philadelphia Business Journal will announce its second-annual list of the top-25 LGBT-owned businesses in the tri-state region in December. PBJ launched its inaugural list last year in partnership with the Independence Business Alliance and, this year, the organization is partnering with IBA again, as well as Philadelphia Gay News. PBJ is currently seeking submissions from businesses up until 5 p.m. Oct. 21. PBJ will accept applications from companies in Pennsylvania counties Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery and Philadelphia, as well as Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem in New Jersey and in Delaware. PBJ editor-in-chief Craig Ey said the publication compiles lists spotlighting a variety of minority-owned businesses, and it was time the LGBT community had a list of its own. “It was sort of a natural extension to do an LGBT list partly because it has been in the news, so it has news value and importance,” Ey said. “This is something people really need to see — the economic power of the community.” Businesses interested in being included are asked to submit information about their number of employees and revenue and also answer open-ended questions about the challenges and advantages of being an LGBT-owned business. Ey, who said PBJ has always had a good relationship with IBA, wanted to also enlist PGN to help get the word out and create a more inclusive list. “I thought it would be a natural partnership, since we’re both in media. Of course, PGN already has a voice in the LGBT community and we have a general authority on our end so it made sense,” he said. “We have been admirers of PGN for a long time and always wanted to work together.” Ey said the list is an effort to create awareness about the many LGBT-owned businesses that are thriving in the region. “Sometimes when we do these kinds of lists, people will say, ‘Why are you putting these kinds of business in a box?’ and that is not the intent,” he said. “The intent is to celebrate them and show their economic power, and people can see how many important businesses are in the community.” Ey said the list is also used to highlight deserving businesses that may have not yet received recognition in the competitive business environment. “Our lists have kind of became a standard of measuring businesses and helps add some of the businesses that wouldn’t make it on other lists because there are too many people ahead of them. It was created to give them the credit they deserve,” he said. “I hope it, as it does for all of our lists, creates a celebration of the business community. It will show the importance of the LGBT community in Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia area. Hopefully it acts as a kind of list that people can rally around and see it as a point of pride.” Interested businesses can submit an email for an application to research director Sharon Oliver at [email protected] or by calling 215-238-5146. Interested applicants should include company name, contact name, email and phone number.
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