OUT Loud: Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce Podcast

This week's episode is a recording of our CEO Keynote with Dax Dasilva, founder of Lightspeed from our 2021 Digital LGBT+ Global Business Summit. We chatted with Dax about how to cultivate inclusive communities and bring about positive social change.

To kick off Pride month, join us as we chat with Toronto-based SOFONDA, recording artist and Canadian drag sensation for 20 years, Mona Moore - recent winner of Miss Canada Continental based in Calgary, and Velvet Code - award-winning DJ, Producer and founder of LGBT+ music label So Fierce Music to discuss what it takes to make it as a drag performer.

Many are surprised to hear that Canada is home to over 28,000 LGBT+-owned businesses. Collectively, these businesses generate over $22 billion in economic activity - employing over 435,000 Canadians. In other words, LGBT+ business in Canada is big business. On this episode of OUT Loud, we're joined by Bruce McDonald and Darrell Schuurman, co-founders of Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) to revisit how the CGLCC was founded, and discuss where LGBT+ business in Canada is going.

After many awkward doctor’s visits where they didn’t feel comfortable discussing their sexual health needs, our guest’s on this week’s podcast wanted to create an easily accessible solution for HIV at-risk Canadians to access judgement-free healthcare. Enter Freddie - a team of clinicians and pharmacists offering PrEP - or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis - at little or no cost. PrEP is highly effective in preventing new HIV contraction, but it’s expensive - and accessing it can cumbersome at best. How did this team of friends become the largest HIV prevention service in Canada? Let's listen.

Jalisa Luces-Mendes is the founder of Toni Marlow clothing; a gender inclusive undergarment brand for folks who defy traditional gender norms. Jalisa's story is a testament to the fact that whether in business or in life - it's often the case that it's less about finding the right fit, and more about creating it for yourself.

Together Michael Rizzi and Chris Zapata have garnered over hundreds of thousands of followers across social media. We chatted with the couple about the status of influencer marketing in 2021, and how brands and small businesses can break into influencer marketing.

This week we hosted a special panel discussion with three trans entrepreneurs: Kai Scott - President at TransFocus Consulting, Michela Toscano - Principal Technology Architect at IONICA, and Toni Johnson - Founder of Pelican Fitness, for a special episode dedicated to International Transgender Day of Visibility.

This week we chatted with Connie Stacey, founder and president of Growing Greener Innovations, Inc. - a clean, energy solutions company based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for a special episode on women in tech dedicated to International Women's Day.

Continuing our focus on Black History Month, this week we chatted with Al Ramsay - Associate Vice President, Customer Strategy & Sales Development, Wealth & Business Banking at TD Bank on the importance of allyship and authenticity.

This week, we chatted with Raia “Coach” Carey - a 3x Certified Life Coach and motivational speaker - about the importance of resiliency, especially in the wake of 2020 with racial injustice and a mental health crisis at an all time high.