FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2023
Pittsburgh, PA — On Tuesday, March 27, Cynthia Oliver, Executive Director of Three Rivers Business Alliance the local LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce joined other top women affiliate chamber leaders from across the country representing the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) for a kickoff event at the White House for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2023 Women’s Business Summit.
“ It was amazing to meet President Biden and hear his strong commitment to small businesses,” said Oliver, “ equally inspiring was hearing the journeys of top women CEO’s. Purpose, perseverance, and passion was their truly appropriate message for budding entrepreneurs.”
SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman kicked off the event, which coincided with Women’s History Month, followed by remarks by President Biden who announced the addition of new federal resources to support women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs, including a planned expansion of the SBA’s Women’s Business Centers.
The Summit, as detailed in the White House Fact Sheet (FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Resources to Support Women Small Businesses Owners, Continued Commitment to Supporting America’s Entrepreneurs | The White House), highlighted new resources and initiatives to support women small business owners. Key elements of the Fact
Sheet include:
● $3 billion in funding for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 7(a) Loan Program to
prioritize women entrepreneurs and those from underserved communities,
● A commitment to increase federal contracting opportunities for women-owned small
businesses, and
● Enhanced technical assistance, training, and mentorship programs for women small
business owners.
As a representative of 3RBA and our LGBTBE businesses, Cynthia participated in discussions surrounding the challenges faced by women and LGBTQ entrepreneurs. Her attendance at the Summit underscores 3RBA's ongoing efforts to advocate for equitable access to federal government contracts and resources for our LGBTQ business community in the Pittsburgh region and beyond.
"We are incredibly proud of Cynthia's participation in the Women's Small Business Summit," said Ron Hicks, Esquire, President of Three Rivers Business Alliance. "Her presence at the White House signifies the importance of LGBTQ representation in conversations surrounding women's economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. We are committed to working with federal and local partners to ensure that our LGBTQ business owners have the support and resources they need to succeed."
Three Rivers Business Alliance will continue to work diligently on behalf of our LGBTQ business owners and LGBTBE-certified businesses in the Pittsburgh region. We are dedicated to fostering growth and opportunity for our members, and we are excited to build on the momentum generated by Cynthia's participation in the Women's Small Business Summit.
For more information on 3RBA, our initiatives, and how to become a member, please visit our
website at www.3rba.com.
There are nearly 13 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. or about 42 percent of all small businesses. Women-owned businesses employ over 9.4 million workers. Additionally, half of all new small businesses launched in the last two years have been started by women.
Taking place each year in March, Women’s History Month is a valuable chance to spotlight the significant contributions of women to modern society, including the small business community. Women’s History Month has been observed nationally since 1987, with smaller-scale celebrations dating back an additional ten years.
