Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | September 13, 2021 | Worcester Business Journal 31 Member FDIC | Member DIF Tomorrow is already on its way, and our job is to set you up for success. As a local bank, we know what it takes to run a business around here. With personalized guidance and a suite of business products — free checking, online and mobile banking, cash management services and lending — we're committed to helping your business grow and prosper. We're here for local business. Learn more at bankHometown.com or call 888.307.5887 Reason for % of U.S. % of Mass. hate crime hate crimes hate crimes Hate crimes Note: U.S. data is from 2020, when 7,554 incidents were reported; Massachusetts data is from 2019 when 421 incidencents were reported. Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security Sexual orientation is one of the leading causes of hate crimes, both in Massachusetts and nationally. Race LGBTQ+ non-LGBTQ+ Racial diversity among Mass. LGBTQ+ Source: The Boston Foundation, 2017 In Massachusetts, the racial breakdown of the LGBTQ+ community mirrors the non-LGBTQ+ population. see it when you look at me and that causes incredible disparities throughout," Moreno said. Unlike being a person a color, being gay is not a visible quality. As a result, many individuals decide not to disclose their sexual identities for reasons such as protecting their livelihoods. "If staying closeted will help my business thrive, then people do not need to know I am gay. So, within that it is really hard to get people to disclose. If there is no benefit to being out as a business, then I do not have to be out as a business," Moreno said. e Mass. LGBT chamber has 242 registered mem- bers. However, if at least 5% of the state's nearly 7-mil- lion population identifies as LGBTQ+, the amount of LGBTQ+owned businesses should be much higher. In Worcester, 10 busi- nesses in the city identify as LGBTQIA+ in the Diverse Business Directory, a list maintained by the Worces- ter's Executive Office of Di- versity and Inclusion, where businesses can voluntarily submit as being owned by someone who is a minority, new American, woman, veteran, LGBTQIA+, or with a disability. "Right now we have this amazing chamber that is here to help every member individually, to really advo- cate when we see there isn't resources set aside for our population, and yet, we have a really hard time finding the businesses to enroll," Moreno said. Moreno's goal is to show members the advantages to being an out LGBTQ+owned business. e chamber connects LGBTQ+ small businesses with corporate contracts, financiers, and government agencies who are inclusive and actively seeking LGBTQ+ members. Deciding to identify CEO Ryan Canuel added his video game company Petricore Inc. to Worcester's Diverse Business Directory because he thought it was an interesting opportunity. Video games are meant to be played by everyone all over the world, which means that inclusivity is key be- cause it reflects the diverse make-up of Petricore's video game players. "We need people on our team who represent all those different perspectives," Canuel said. A mentor inspired Canuel to openly identify on the city's directory. His mentor, who is of Indian descent, told Canuel he was able to meet many business contacts by embracing his background/identity, and he encour- Ryan Canuel, CEO of Petri- core Inc., has registered his company on the Worcester Diverse Business Directory. Continued on page 32 D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N F O C U S Race 62% 51% Sexual orientation 20% 22% Religion 13% 24% Gender identity 3% 2% Disability 1% 0.2% Gender 1% 1% White, non-Hispanic 75% 78% African-American 6% 5% Asian & Pacific Islander 3% 3% American Indian 1% 0% Hispanic 9% 8% Other race 7% 5%

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