{"id":3718,"date":"2023-06-21T23:42:39","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T23:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/?p=3718"},"modified":"2023-06-22T15:33:26","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T15:33:26","slug":"pride-at-asu-two-community-innovators-taking-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entrepreneurship.asu.edu\/blog\/2023\/06\/21\/pride-at-asu-two-community-innovators-taking-action\/","title":{"rendered":"PRIDE at ASU: Two Community Innovators Taking Action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When we include diverse perspectives, we make better decisions. And in business, creating a welcoming space for everyone to participate can improve employee engagement and overall performance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the LGBTQ+ business community includes 1.4 million business owners.<\/a> Imagine the possibilities if all our local businesses fully harnessed the power of this community, benefiting both entrepreneurs and our economy. Considering the profound impact entrepreneurship holds over our economy, the more accessible we make business resources<\/a> the more approachable we can make owning or starting a venture for people of all<\/em> backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jesus \u201cJesse\u201d Baltazar is a highly accomplished office manager and event coordinator within the Sandra Day O\u2019Connor Law School and is a founder of The Queer Center<\/a>, a nonprofit focused on connection and communication. When Jesse first arrived in the Valley of the Sun more than six years ago, he was working with queer-serving businesses and noticed a fundamental lack of community and networking within the local ecosystem. The Queer Center emerged from his determination to address this concern, marking the start of his social entrepreneurship journey alongside a small but dedicated network of individuals striving to make a significant impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Queer Center spans the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and connects people to resources, opportunities, and one another. In the communities it serves, the center aims to use technology and a mix of site-specific artistic and educational events to gather resources, generate opportunities, and foster connections and community. In 2022, The Queer Center merged with Trans Spectrum of Arizona (TSAZ)<\/a>, which hosts peer support meetings for Trans Feminine, Trans Masculine, Gender Expansive, and Significant Others, Family, Friends, and Allies (also known as SOFFA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jesus \u2018Jesse\u2019 Baltazar Founder\/President\/CEO of the Queer Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Designed with community in mind, The Queer Center partners with other local organizations and small businesses to increase its overall impact. As a means of uplifting the local LGBTQ+ community, they now partner with the following organizations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n