Global Diversity Export Initiative Strategic Partners

Global Diversity Export Initiative - Our Strategic Partners

The U.S. Commercial Service recognizes the importance of collaboration for international business success.  We partner strategically to enhance our ability to serve underserved communities in support of our mission to assist U.S. exporters develop new markets and expand internationally.

Strategic Partner	Organization Description
	The Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) encourages, facilitates, and supports the economic growth and sustainability of the greater Washington D.C. area community by building bridges and serving as a resource for the Asian Pacific American business community. AACC achieves this mission through business networking programs, summits, expos, business development workshops, seminars, and other special programs and events. Dedicated to improving economic development, AACC is an advocate for the minority- and women-owned business community, providing opportunities, resources, and mentorship to foster professional growth, business development, and leadership in the community.
	The 22 Fund is an early-growth, impact fund investing in climate/clean tech, and sustainable U.S. manufacturing companies to increase their international sales. Our investment strategy and impact are correlated leading to non-concessionary returns. Our mission is multifaceted to create the clean, quality jobs of the future in underserved and low-and-moderate income (LMI) communities and grow mobility and generational wealth for Woman and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). We intentionally invest in firms led by Women and BIPOC. We deliver both high returns and high social/economic impact.
	The Goldman Sachs Foundation (GSF) was established in 1999 as a global philanthropic organization. It supports initiatives such as 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB), a $750 million investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing access to education, capital, and support services. By working with local, regional, and national community development financial institutions and other mission-driven lenders, the 10KSB helps expand access to capital for small businesses. Through partnerships with community colleges nationwide and Babson College, 10KSB provides small business owners with a practical business education.
	Lendistry is a minority-led fintech that provides innovative lending products and access to grant programs for small businesses nationwide. Small business owners come to Lendistry for a flexible financing partner that can serve their needs for their entire business lifecycle, from early and growth phases, to established years when they’re staples of their communities. Based on its reputation for deploying funds efficiently and equitably, public and private organizations come to Lendistry to help their programs impact communities that need them most. As a fintech and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Lendistry is uniquely able to give borrowers both speed and convenience, and personal assistance with the application process.
	The National Black Chamber of Commerce® (NBCC) is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship, capitalistic activity within the United States, and via interaction with the Black Diaspora. Empowering the Black Business Community for 30 Years, the NBCC is the largest Black business association in the world. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NBCC was founded in 1992 by Harry Alford and Kay DeBow. Today the organization has over 200 chambers across 40 states and 50 nations.
	The National Business League is the first and largest, independent, not-for-profit, trade association for Black-owned businesses and professionals in the United States, founded by Dr. Booker T. Washington on Aug. 23, 1900. The NBL serves as a global catalyst toward the economic development, empowerment and liberative freedom of Black businesses. The NBL promotes the interest of more than 3.2 million Black American businesses that contribute $128 billion in economic output and produce 1.18 million jobs to the U.S. economy. The NBL has regional offices in Atlanta, Detroit, and Los Angeles, national headquarters in Washington, D.C., since 1966 and an international office in Cape Town, South Africa. Approaching 125 years of service, the NBL is a proud partner to more than 125 Fortune 500 companies, including public and private sector organizations worldwide, looking to provide Black economic equity and inclusion in the racially diverse global marketplace.
	With over 50 years of assisting American Indian Tribes and tribal people with business and economic development, The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development has evolved into the largest national Indian specific business organization. Our motto is: “We Mean Business” as we are actively engaged in helping Tribal Nations and Native business people realize their business goals and are dedicated to putting the whole of Indian Country to work to better the lives of American Indian people- both now and for generations to come.
	The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and the only global advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for the LGBT business community. NGLCC is the exclusive third-party certifying body for Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) companies. Over 350 Fortune 500 and multinational corporations recognize this certification and partner with NGLCC to create fully LGBT-inclusive supply-chains. The LGBT business owners NGLCC represents generate over $1.7 trillion in economic impact, create jobs, and innovate business solutions nationwide. Additionally, NGLCC is the leading public policy advocate working to include Certified LGBTBE® businesses in procurement opportunities at the federal, state, and local level. NGLCC Global is expanding its reach to five continents and over 30 countries, bridging economic opportunity and LGBTI human rights worldwide.
	The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), founded in 1972, is the longest-operating business growth engine for the broadest group of systematically excluded communities of color (Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and Native American), and its impact goes far beyond the supply chain. It’s about upward mobility for the emerging majority of Americans, an equal shot at participating in the American experiment of free-market capitalism and entrepreneurship. Its work is about correcting the unequal access to wealth-building opportunities.
	Affectionately known as the “National Voice of Black Businesses”, The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) provides committed, visionary leadership, and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment. Through the creation of resources and initiatives, we support a network of African American Chambers of Commerce and business organizations in their work of developing and growing Black enterprises. USBC is a level one national chamber (HUB), a partner of the Community Navigator Pilot Program. The Program is an American Rescue Plan initiative designed to reduce barriers that underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs often face in accessing the programs they need to recover, grow, or start their businesses. ByBlack, an extensive national Black business directory developed by USBC, and is now, with the support of American Express, the only national certification exclusively for Black-owned businesses. ByBlack is designed to provide Black entrepreneurs a way to reach new customers and get access to valuable business resources.
	The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) actively promotes the economic growth, development, and interests of more than five million Hispanic-owned businesses, that combined, contribute over $800 billion to the American economy every year. It advocates on behalf of its network of more than 260 local chambers and business associations nationwide, and also partners with more than 200 major American corporations.
	The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) is the most established and largest non-profit organization representing Pan Asian American and their related groups in business, sciences, the arts, sports, education, public and community services. As a thought leader with over 30 years of track record in business matchmaking accomplishments by connecting our constituents to Fortune 1000 corporations, government, non-profits, and small and minority businesses, USPAACC is poised to raise the bar of success to yet another level.
	The Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) offers exclusive, no cost training for owners, principals, and C-level executives of service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses. Since its establishment in 2009, VIP’s training approach has been grounded in exchanging real-world government contracting knowledge. Led by industry leaders and federal government experts, VIP’s in-person sessions deliver hands-on instruction tailored to current market demands across five (5) distinct curriculums. Each class covers over 20 critical topics during a comprehensive three-day, 27-hour classroom instruction period. VIP graduates have access to an extensive knowledge network of more than 2,300 alums. Additionally, they can engage with a forum of instructors and supporters who offer ongoing guidance and are crucial resources to support continued growth.
	United around the globe, the goal of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) is to foster international trade and the advancement of women in business. OWIT’s growing network continues to provide a collective forum to support education, to facilitate information exchange and to promote networking. In pursuing these goals, OWIT strives to provide a rewarding volunteer environment, to stay at the forefront of trade and technological developments, and to build partnerships and alliances with peer organizations and associations.
	Launched in 2020, TheWMarketplace is a nation-wide ecommerce marketplace for women-owned businesses to sell their products and professional and personal services. Offering favorable terms to its sellers, it also is a supportive community of women entrepreneurs that have access to learning opportunities through the trademarked HER-Commerce™ programs. With over 500 women-owned businesses selling 3500+ products and services ranging from home goods to coaching, in over 35 states, TheWMarketplace empowers shoppers with a new way to find the communities they want to support, including Black-woman owned, Latina-owned, AAPI-owned, Veteran woman-owned, and more.