Independence Business Alliance

08/20/2026

So great to see IBA Member Beyond the Bell Tours featured in this article!

This two-night community event narrated the stories of the Italian Market’s immigrant workers through public art, colorful light boxes and guided tours.

08/20/2026

What if q***r joy could transform our health? The Joy Project is recruiting LGBTQ+ Philadelphians to join a paid focus group on joy and q***r wellbeing. 🌈

Share your lived experience with q***r joy and directly shape community-centered health tools used by organizations across Philly.

This research is led by the Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative at Penn School of Nursing and SAFElab at Annenberg School for Communication.

Eligible participants:

✅ Are 18+
✅ Identify as LGBTQ+
✅ Live in Philadelphia
✅ Can attend an in-person or Zoom focus group

See if you qualify today: https://redcap.link/joystudy

08/19/2026

Thinking About Buying a Home but Not Sure Where to Start? The home buying process doesn't have to be overwhelming!

Join the IBA and IBA Member, The Avenue Team, for a FREE First-Time Homebuyer Workshop and learn everything you need to know—from getting pre-approved to receiving the keys to your new home.

✔ Understand the buying process

✔ Learn about financing options and grants

✔ Get tips from local real estate, mortgage, and title professionals

✔ Ask questions in a relaxed, no-pressure, LGBTQ+ friendly environment

Whether you're just starting to explore or you're ready to buy, we'll walk you through the process step by step and answer all of your questions.

September 30, 2026
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Spire Abstract
1516 N. 5th Street, Unit 109
Philadelphia, PA 19122

08/18/2026

MEET THE SPEAKERS: IBA ERG SUMMIT 2026

The IBA is thrilled to be hosting our 3rd annual ERG Summit on September 17, 2026. This Summit is about building real skills, not just conversation!

We are so grateful to be welcoming Jameel Rush, Skylar Lingo, Fareeha Arshad, Robert D'Annibale, Dr. Dom Revere, and Tito Valdes, Esq. to this year's event! Swipe through to learn more about each of these incredible speakers!

The IBA's ERG Summit is FREE FOR ALL MEMBERS AND CORPORATE PARTNERS!
The Summit will be taking place at Quorum at the University City Science Center from 11:30 AM until 5:00 PM. Learn more and register: https://members.thinkiba.com/events/Details/erg-summit-2026-1769160

08/17/2026

New Member Monday 💖

These organizations and individuals have recently joined the IBA, demonstrating their commitment to equitable access to economic empowerment for local, vibrant LGBTQ+ communities and those who support equality. Thank you!!!

Please help us welcome them to the IBA community!

Small Business Member
- Accesso Care: accessocare.com
- Adelphos Direct Care: adelphosdirectcare.com
- Insight Engine: insightengine.nz
- O.M.Gee Events: omgee-events.com
- Tail of Two Creatives: tailoftwocreatives.com
- The Stoop Pigeon by Watch Party PHL thestooppigeon.com

Non-Profit Business Member
- Delaware River Port Authority: drpa.org
- Fairmount Park Conservancy: myphillypark.org

Individual Member
- Evan Weiner
- Janelle Levesque
- Peter Watson

08/05/2026

Have you registered for the IBA's ERG Summit yet?

Our 3rd Annual ERG Summit is FREE for all IBA members and corporate partners (and their employees). This unique event brings expert-led discussions, workshops, and new connections to you and your team!

FAQ:

CAN I SPONSOR THIS EVENT?
✨Yes! Sponsorship opportunities are available! Please visit the registration page to view the sponsorship levels. All sponsors can confirm desired level via registration page.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
- Practical tips and takeaways to apply right away
- Interactive workshops for in-the moment ideation
- Dynamic learning moments from peers and subject-matter experts
- Connections and networking with like-minded peers

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- ERG Leaders and Members
- Executive Sponsors
- HR, Talent, and People and Culture Practitioners
- LGBTQ+ and allied community members
- Business Leaders
- Those curious about ERGs

WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?
- Develop the skills it takes to participate in and lead ERGs so that you can effectively work towards your goals. Expert speakers will lead hands-on sessions on meeting facilitation, event planning, public speaking, and other topics related to the internal functioning of ERGs.
- Programming aimed to support both well-established ERGs and those who are just starting.
- Engage in focused discussions with other ERGs about what works when creating programming, making their efforts relevant and attractive to their audiences, as well as ways that they can more effectively work with other parts of their organizations.

WHAT IS THE COST?
IBA Members & Corporate Partners and their employees are welcome to attend for free. For future IBA Members/Corporate Partners, there is a registration fee of $25.

SHOULD I INVITE MY COLLEAGUES?
Absolutely! This Summit is intended for teams to attend together, have dedicated time to brainstorm, plan, and learn with each other!

08/04/2026

Congrats Mads! The IBA was thrilled to join Councilmember Rue Landau to present Mads and Handy Dandy Home Services with a new computer courtesy of our friends Comcast . After receiving the PNC Bank LGBTQ+ Business Award at our Business Leaders Luncheon, our IBA community stepped up to provide additional support to secure this critical hardware for Handy Dandy Home Services. Thank you Councilmember Landau’s Office and Comcast!

To learn more about Handy Dandy Home Services and the handy work services they offer to the Philadelphia q***r(+) community, visit handydandyhomeservices.com

08/04/2026

REGISTER NOW for the IBA's 2026 ERG SUMMIT! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

The Independence Business Alliance is thrilled to host our 3rd annual summit for employee resource groups (ERG/BRGs)! Join ERG leaders, HR and people/culture professionals, LGBTQ+ and allied community members, business leaders, and others to learn more about ERG programming and build the skills to deliver on your goals. This Summit is about building real skills, not just conversation! It is intended for teams to attend together, have dedicated time to brainstorm, plan, and learn with each other!

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please visit the registration page to view the sponsorship levels: https://members.thinkiba.com/calendar/Details/erg-summit-2026-1769160🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

07/24/2026

✨AUGUST CONNX @ THE HART OF CATERING CAFE ✨
💙🩷🤍🩷💙 🏳️‍🌈

Join the Independence Business Alliance, Greater Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, for our Free Monthly Networking CONNX! It was wonderful to connect with so many people at our July ConnX at City Winery, we hope you can join us whether it's your first time or you're a regular. ConnX is a casual networking event, please come as you are and don't worry about standards of 'professionalism' that might be expected in other networking spaces. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

August ConnX will have a special focus on nonprofit organizations, boards, and staff!
REGISTER: https://members.thinkiba.com/ap/Events/Register/KVF4ag8cnCBCW

August ConnX: The Hart of Catering Cafe
2101 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA

Tuesday, August 11. 5:30-7:00pm

07/23/2026

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS!

The City of Philadelphia is Launching the Latest Round of Boost Your Business Program Offering $50,000 Forgivable Loans to Help 20 Philadelphia Businesses Grow.

Businesses interested in applying are encouraged to attend a hybrid information session on August 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER: https://pidcphila.com/events/boost-your-business-information-session-4/