119: Bridging the Gap of Equality with Chad Turner The Ultimate Achievement Show

On the show today, we have Chad Turner. Chad is President of the Charlotte LGBT Chamber and high level HR executive and consultant. His leadership is extraordinary and you are going to love this interview.
In the interview we discuss:
The history of the Charlotte LGBT chamber starting in such a conservative area. What can people do to enhance equality among the LGBT and POC communities and general population?  Challenges the LGBT community face that people would not really think about What it will take to break down the barriers of judging and excluding people based on their skin color or sexual orientation  What are the qualities of a great leader How we become better communicators And much more! What I found especially interesting about what Chad has created and is continuing to create in the community and as president of the LGBT chamber is that he is working to build up all small businesses and success for EVERYONE in the community and not just the LGBT community.
He is an amazing human being with a heart of gold and a brilliant mind. Under his direction with Chamber, they have received national affiliation with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, established the Aspiring Professionals’ Initiative for local colleges and also created a comprehensive training program for LGBT owned businesses.  The Chamber is now one of the largest LGBT chambers in the southeast.  In addition to his duties with the Chamber, Chad is a human resources consultant in the Charlotte region assisting businesses and professionals with their human resource needs. Chad has spent the past nine years training and advising small business owners, corporations and individuals in the areas of LGBT workplace issues, diversity, inclusion, equity and policy development. In his endeavor to create more equitable workplaces, he has opened dialogue with businesses by providing specialized training in benefit administration, policy creation and implementation and leadership development. He believes that companies and workplaces will create a new standard and develop best practices that will evolve from the changing perception of the LGBT community and those who support equality for all.   In 2008, Chad was designated a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resources Certification Institute.  In 2015, 2017 and 2019 he completed certificates with Notre Dame School of Business in the areas of human resources, small business supplier diversity, organizational development and chamber planning.  He is a frequent clinician in the Charlotte region on these topics.  Chad holds a BA in Music from Lee University and his BS in Human Resource Management from Villanova University.  His work has also provided the ability to work with various organizations such as Charlotte Pride, Charlotte Black Pride, Time Out Youth, RAIN and the Charlotte LGBTQ Elders to be a support and resource for development, philanthropy and marketing.  He serves on the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance (Charlotte Chamber) Business Leader's Roundtable, the Mecklenburg County Business Roundtable and the Charlotte Small Business Recovery Taskforce.  Most recently, as a founding member, Chad and the Charlotte LGBT Chamber formed the Charlotte Small Business Coalition, which he serves as chair.  Chad's efforts and strategic planning assisted with the passage of the $50 million dollars of grant funding for small businesses in Charlotte affected by COVID-19. Chad and his husband, Nate, are both small business owners and actively involved in both the business and LGBT community. 
Chad has accomplished more in the last 10 years than most people do in 2 lifetimes. It was a privilege to sit down and have this amazing conversation.