The Commission's Economic Development, Small Business, and Supplier Diversity Committee is actively working to expand small business contracting opportunities to the LGBTQ community. While this issue long predates the Commission itself, it is noteworthy that there is agreement among state agencies - namely the Office of the Governor and the Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprises (OMWBE) - that more expansive supplier diversity efforts are overdue. Commission members are considering and working on different avenues – including legislative action – to implement any needed changes. This could allow LGBTQ-owned small businesses the opportunity to apply for more contracts for all kinds of services with the state government.

Broadening supplier diversity efforts to include LGBTQ people was one of the goals mentioned in community testimony for the bill to establish the state LGBTQ Commission. Community led efforts over the last decade have been spearheaded by organizations including GSBA (Seattle) and INBA (Spokane) and by individual small business owners interested in winning state contracts. The National LGBTQ Chamber - NGLCC - offers one commonly recognized certification that is accepted by Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, the California Public Utilities Commission, and soon New York State. A future Washington State program would likely follow the model of existing state programs. Jurisdictions in Washington that already include LGBTQ people in their supplier efforts include the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle, King County, and Snohomish County.

Join the Office of Homeless Youth of the Department of Commerce to discuss a funding opportunity for organizations who serve gender diverse youth (under 18 years old).

This funding opportunity will open in fall 2023. We anticipate awarding up to $1.8 million in supportive care grants to community organizations serving youth seeking protected health care services (gender affirming care or abortion access) as part of our implementation of Senate Bill 5599.

Agenda for these sessions:

• Provide details about intent of this funding.
• Provide examples of how this funding could be used.
• Share overview of timeline and application process.
• Seek feedback to learn how to make this opportunity accessible and meaningful for young people who are most impacted.

Feedback Session for LGBTQ+ serving organizations: Tuesday, Sept 5th from 10:30am-12:00pm on Zoom – Register here.

Caucus Feedback Session for QTBIPOC serving organizations: Wednesday, September 6th from 3pm-4:30pm on Zoom – Register here.

The Office of Equity has contracted with RTI International, a non-profit research organization, to conduct a study of Washington State Patrol related to workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The purpose of this study is to develop agency-specific strategies for pro-equity anti-racism practices, policies and procedures that improve agency programs and services and reduce disparities across the agency. As part of this initiative, RTI will conduct in-person and virtual community listening sessions to solicit feedback from groups that are underrepresented in the WSP workforce. We hope someone from your organization will consider participating!

Please know that your participation in the listening session is confidential no information or thoughts you share will be directly attributed to you in any reports received by WSP or the Washington Office of Equity. RTI will produce a report that provides only aggregated summary results of the listening sessions, and statements will not be directly attributed to specific participants. Participation is voluntary and will last about 90 minutes. To thank you for taking the time to participate in the listening session, in-person sessions will provide complimentary refreshments and snacks. If it is requested, childcare will also be provided for the duration of the listening session. All participants, in-person and virtual, will be compensated for their time.

 Listening sessions will be held at the times and dates below. If you are interested in participating in a listening session, please access the registration form at WSP DEI Community Listening Sessions Registration Form.

1. August 29: Virtual session. 3:30-5:00pm.
2. August 30: Virtual session. 5:30-7:00pm.
3. September 19: Virtual session. 3:30-5:00pm.
4. September 18: SeaTac, African Community Housing & Development, 16256 Military Rd South Suite 107. 5:30-7:00pm.
5. September 25: Yakima, Central WA University, room TBD. 4:00-6:00pm.
6. October 2: Spokane, Equity & Community Inclusion Center (at the Resource Center of Spokane County) (tentative). 4:00-6:00pm.
7. October 9: Bremerton, location TBD. 4:00-6:00pm.

We value your perspective and input and look forward to using the results of this survey to improve DEI strategies in the Washington State Patrol. If you have questions about the Community Listening Session or overarching project, please contact RTI International (wspcommunity@rti.org).

MultiCare Health Systems invite bisexual women of color in Washington state to consider joining their THRIVE Community Steering Committee.

Joining the THRIVE Community Steering Committee involves:

• Committing to a two-year term that includes participating in eight meetings per year. Our first meeting will be held September 20, 2023, from 5:30-6:30 pm.
• Co-creating approaches to improve bisexual Women of Color’s representation in maternal health research, so no one gets left behind.
• Contributing to the development of an anti-racist, bisexual-affirming maternal health toolkit for maternal health providers and birth workers.

To make meeting attendance easiest for a wide group of people, MultiCare Health Systems will hold all meetings virtually. Our team can help identify community spaces with free computers and WIFI access as needed. Members will be provided $75 as compensation after every meeting attended.

Those interested in becoming THRIVE Community Steering Committee members and/or learning more can reach out to Deana Williams, the study lead, at deana.williams@multicare.org or complete the intake form at https://redcap.link/JoinThrive.

September 28-30, 2023

Greater Tacoma Convention Center and Partially Virtual

This conference brings together community organizations and advocates alongside legal professionals to develop a shared vision and learning space to demand justice from legal systems. The conference theme, Shifting Justice Towards Accountability and Trust, is a pledge by those working within the legal system to be accountable to and build trust with the communities with whom we aim to partner. In the end, we hope conference attendees and presenters will walk away with a shared belief that we can effect change, recognizing our own power, and validating the leadership of the community. Learn more here.

This will be our first-ever hybrid conference. The in-person option will be at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and we will stream some of the sessions for remote participants. When you register you will be asked to select in-person or virtual participation.

📢 Attention Virtual Attendees: Sort the agenda by the tag “Virtual” so you can see your options. There will be the opportunities to schedule your own virtual meetups so you can network and connect outside of sessions with fellow online attendees. If you register by September 1st, you can expect a welcome snack box in the mail.

This two-day event will connect certified small businesses with corporate and government entities in order to explore opportunities to do business together. Day One, in person, includes learning opportunities and a Pitch Competition where the winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 NGLCC Conference (conference fee, hotel and airfare) courtesy of Wells Fargo. To qualify, you must be a GSBA member, LGBTQ Certified or in process of certification.

Details, registration, and more information through this link.

Washington is home to vibrant communities and diverse Washingtonians who all have unique talents, skills and experiences. Governor Inslee places a high priority on boards, commissions, and agencies that are reflective of the diverse make-up of Washington and that utilize the impressive talent of Washingtonians. We are always seeking skilled and experienced individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to participate in boards and commissions ensuring an effective and representative government.

We are excited to share the highlighted Current and Upcoming Gubernatorial Appointment Opportunities.

As someone with deep roots in your respective communities and organizations, we hope that you will share these opportunities.  Anyone interested in being appointed will need to fill out this Application.  Please explore the Boards and Commissions Profiles if you are interested in learning more about the many opportunities to get involved!

Thank you for your assistance in helping Governor Inslee find well-rounded candidates with significant talent and diverse experiences. Please feel free to reach out to Boards and Commissions staff with any questions you might have.  Thank you for your time.