Independence Business Alliance

10/09/2026

The LeadLab Showcase is back!

Each year, LeadLab brings together a cohort of creative professionals to explore how they lead—with greater courage, intention, and connection. The Showcase opens that experience to the broader community, bringing together LeadLab alumni, partners, friends, and new faces for an evening that offers a glimpse into the people and ideas behind the program.

This year, hear from 2027 Guest Facilitator and LeadLab alum Jason Prunty, enjoy performances by 2026 alumni Jayana China and Aubrey Donisch, and hear reflections from alumni Monifa Kincaid and Devon Horace .dev

Whether you’ve been part of LeadLab from the beginning, are just discovering our work, or want to connect with others invested in creative leadership in Philadelphia, we’d love to have you in the room.

📅 Thursday, December 3, 2026
📍 Bond Collective | Philadelphia
Space is limited. Register Here:

Join us Thursday, December 4, for an inspiring evening of speakers, performances, and connection. Hear from LeadLab alumni Jason Prunty, our 2027 Guest Facilitator; Jayana China and Aubrey Donisch, who will perform; and Monifa Kincaid and Devon Horace, who will share testimonials. Enjoy light appeti

10/08/2026

$10K Grant Opportunity! Get Small Business Digital Ready from Verizon!

Don't miss this chance to help your business grow and help the IBA while doing so!

Every year, Digital Ready (SBDR) provides over $1M in grant funding, including $10,000 small business grants. You only have to apply once to be considered all year for a $10K grant—which makes today the perfect time to sign up. SBDR is a platform for entrepreneurs and small business owners to access unlimited resources for scaling and growing their business.

Register for free to start exploring the library of online courses, live workshops, hands-on-help from experts, peer-to-peer review sessions, grant funding, and more!

REGISTER HERE USING THE IBA'S UNIQUE LINK: https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/partner-nglcc-iba

10/05/2026

It might be the start of a cold and spooky month but here at the IBA we want to give a very warm and friendly welcome to our new members! Please join us in welcoming them to the community, and if you are curious about becoming a member yourself you can visit thinkiba.com or contact us [email protected]!

Non-Profit Business Members:
- PHS Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
- Philly Pride Visitor Center Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation

Partner Business Members:
- Senior Helpers (seniorhelpers.com/pa/philadelphia-greater-philadelphia/)

Small Business Members:
- Better Half Photography (betterhalfphotography.com)
- Cell Connect, Inc. (ccgcweb.com)
- Synergy Consultants & Psychotherapy, PC
- All Home Downsizing and Design
- Mosaic Bloom Counseling, LLC

Individual Members:
- Nicole Barbye
- Janelle Levesque

10/03/2026

MEET THE IBA!

Are you a new or returning member to the IBA? Join us virtually on November 10th to learn more about the IBA and connect with staff and board members!

This VIRTUAL event on Zoom will provide an overview of the resources you can access, discuss the LGBTBE and Allied SME certification process, help you with setting up your directory listing, and provide time to connect with fellow members!

Come prepared with any questions you might have for us. We want you to utilize all that the IBA has to offer and this is a great first step!

Must register to receive Zoom link!

November 10, 2026
12-1pm

10/02/2026

THE IBA IS ON THE ROAD! Join us in Chester County on October 20th for connections and community with the LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County!

This event will feature networking from 1-2pm, followed by a presentation and facilitated discussion on LGBTBE Certification and Allied SME certification.

Curious about certification? Read on, contact us, or join us on the 20th to learn more!

The IBA is an official affiliate of the National LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The National LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce is the exclusive certifying body for LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE®)—verifying that businesses are majority LGBTQ+ owned. This nationally recognized certification helps LGBTQ+ owned businesses stand out, connect with corporate partners, and compete for new opportunities.

Why Does Certification Matter?
- LGBTBE® Certification and Allied SME Certification is more than recognition: it’s a gateway to relationships, visibility, and business growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Who is LGBTBE Certification ideal for?
- Majority (at least 51%) owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBTQ+ person or persons who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
- Exercises independence from any non-LGBTQ+ business enterprise
- Has its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States
- Has been formed as a legal entity in the United States

What is Allied SME Certification?
- This is a NEW and nationally recognize certification. Allied SME (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise) Certification is designed for businesses that are not majority (less than 51%) LGBTQ+ owned but are committed to engaging with and supporting the LGBTQ+ and allied business community.

Who is Allied SME Certification ideal for?
- Allies of LGBTQ+ communities
- Businesses partially owned by LGBTQ+ individuals
- Any business wanting to stay ahead of current trends in supplier diversity and impact

10/01/2026

Join the IBA and on November 16th for 360° Branding Workshop: From Strategy to Website to AI-Ready Marketing (Done Right)!

This workshop is perfect for everyone who struggles with and could use support with branding, website, and marketing!

Who it's for:
- Anyone who feels like marketing is a hamster wheel
- Anyone whose brand, website, and marketing feel like three separate projects instead of one connected system
- Small business owners who handle their own marketing (or wish someone else did) — no design or marketing background needed

What you'll learn:
- How business strategy, brand strategy, website design, and marketing actually connect — and why skipping a step shows up as problems later (a website that doesn't convert, marketing that doesn't land)
- The signs that a brand has outgrown itself, and how to spot them in your own business
- A real case study showing how one brand's vision statement directly reshaped their website's navigation — a concrete look at how strategy becomes structure
- How to turn your brand fundamentals into a brief that gets AI tools to write like you, instead of like everyone else

What you'll walk away with:
- A first draft of the hardest, highest-value pieces of your own brand: your mission, your "onlyness statement" (what you do that nobody else does), and your top audience segments
- A reusable AI brief template, built from your own answers, ready to paste into any AI writing tool
- A clear-eyed read on where your website or marketing might be out of sync with your brand today

Format: 90 minutes, virtual, and hands-on. Two live drafting exercises, not just slides.

Hosted by: Pixel Parlor: a woman-owned, Certified B Corp branding and design studio based in Philadelphia since 2012.

Presenters: Jenn Richey Nicholas, CEO, and Hilary Young, Strategist + Marketing Lead

November 16, 2026
2-3:30pm
Zoom *must register to receive link*

09/30/2026

MAXIMIZE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH THE IBA & SBN!

You're invited to join the Independence Business Alliance (Greater Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce) and the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia for invigorating panel, roundtable discussion, and networking event! The panel will be focusing on "The Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, and Prosperity," and how each pillar is foundational to integrate into business.

We hope to connect with you there!

October 6, 2-4:30pm
Doors open at 1:30 PM and event starts at 2:00 PM.
Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square

REGISTER HERE: https://members.thinkiba.com/ap/Events/Register/52Fj7WbUbCWCq

09/29/2026

SAVE the DATE!

We're thrilled to announce that the IBA's 2026 Holiday Party will be... DECEMBER 15th at the CESCAPHE BALLROOM!

Mark your calendars, get your best outfits ready, and join us for the event of the year!

The annual IBA Holiday Party has become the largest LGBTQ+ holiday gathering of its kind in the Greater Philadelphia region, where members and non-members alike join together to celebrate the holiday spirit and network one last time before the new year. This event will be particularly special as our last premier event before our year-long celebration in 2027 for the IBA’s 20th Anniversary!! Our Holiday Party has grown to be bigger and more fabulous each year, and last year we brought more than 300 guests together for holiday cheer and business networking! We hope you can join us!

Sponsorship opportunities are available. To learn more about ways you can support please contact us: [email protected] or 215-557-0190. Thank you!

09/25/2026

JOIN THE IBA AND SBN FOR MED WEEK 2026!

The Independence Business Alliance (Greater Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce) and the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia are partnering to bring an invigorating panel, roundtable discussion, and networking event! MED Week is Philadelphia's Micro Entrepreneurship Development Week, now in its 42nd year, and a recognition of the exceptional achievements of Philadelphia small, local, and underrepresented business enterprises. We hope you can join us!

EVENT DETAILS: Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, Prosperity with the IBA & SBN. Panel, Roundtable Discussions, and Networking!
DATE: October 6, 2-4:30pm
LOCATION: The Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square

REGISTER: https://sbngreaterphilly.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F59030

09/23/2026

Meet the Speakers! IBA Women in Business Breakfast: The Solopreneur Mindset: Expanding Courageous Ecosystems

Join the IBA to kickoff our revitalized Women in Business programming with a breakfast at Quorum at the UCity Science Center on OCTOBER 28th!!!

As workplace expectations evolve, more women are challenging traditional definitions of career success and choosing paths that prioritize purpose, impact, and economic empowerment. Whether they're building businesses, leading change inside organizations, or navigating the space in between, this conversation explores what women need to thrive and how stronger ecosystems make that possible.

What you'll gain:
- Candid conversations that challenge conventional career paths.
- Actionable insights from founders, leaders, and changemakers.
- Authentic networking with women across industries and career stages.

Location:
Quorum at the University City Science Center
3675 Market St, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA, 19104