MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30: Mayor of Charlotte to Join Press Call with Small Business Owners, Advocates to Discuss Impact of New Anti-LGBT Law on North Carolina Small Businesses
Small Business Majority will host a press call with Mayor Jennifer Roberts, NGLCC and small business owners to discuss the negative impact of HB 2 on the state's entrepreneurs and business climate
WHAT: Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts will join Small Business Majority, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and local small business owners for a press call to discuss HB 2—legislation invalidating local protections for LGBT individuals—and how the law will harm the state' business environment for entrepreneurs.
WHO: Our panel includes:
- Jennifer Roberts, Mayor of Charlotte
- Rhett Buttle, President and Managing Director for Small Business Majority
- Jonathan Lovitz, Vice President of External Affairs for NGLCC
- Tony Cope, owner of Myriad Media in Raleigh
- Keil Jansen, owner of Ponysaurus Brewing Co. in Durham
CALL-IN INFORMATION: (641) 715-3670; Passcode: 605872#
WHEN: Wednesday, March 30 at 1:00 p.m. EDT
WHY: This press call will provide a valuable forum for media to hear the business case against discrimination in North Carolina in response to the passage of HB 2, which revokes legislation protecting LGBT individuals against discrimination. Small Business Majority's polling found two-thirds (66 percent) of small businesses say business owners shouldn't be able to deny goods or services to LGBT individuals. Additional polling found 67 percent of North Carolina entrepreneurs believe the state should have a law prohibiting employment discrimination against gay and transgender people.
TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW: Contact Cassie Mills, Communications Manager for Small Business Majority: (202) 289-6271 or [email protected].
About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.