Rod Davis
By Cinthya Lavin
Rod Davis is the CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Florida and the Caribbean. Rod is in his seventh year as BBB’s CEO and during his tenure he has heavily focused on community outreach, strategic partnerships to help small businesses, and promoting diversity within the local and national BBB. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Rod shares his thoughts on Pride and the business community.
How do you celebrate Pride and what does it mean to you?
Pride is timed to coincide with the Stonewall riots, often cited as the birth of the LGBTQ+ movement for equal rights. Pride is a celebration of community, a recognition of the progress that has been made for LGBTQ+ and a call to action. I celebrate Pride by spending time with my husband, friends and LGBTQ+ friends and allies, attending local Pride events and supporting causes. Unfortunately, there is always a cause that emerges each year and the epidemic of crime targeting Transgender individuals and the recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation are examples of issues that I will continue to work with the community to overcome in the year ahead.
What do you think people can do during pride month to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues?
Harvey Milk, the gay politician and one of the leaders of the LGBTQ+ community challenged our community to come out. He did so, knowing that it was not always easy, especially in the 60s and 70s, but it remains true for many people even today. Every member of the LGBTQ+ community has family, friends and co-workers who know us. It is harder to accept the demonization of the LGBTQ+ community when people know and love someone in that community. In addition to just talking with friends, family and associates, we also need to organize and vote.
How do you feel about the current representation of LGBTQ+ community in the business marketplace?
LBGTQ+ people are creative and entrepreneurial and we have many members of our community leading strong businesses. We don’t know exactly how many business leaders are from the community, but in “safe communities” like Wilton Manors, the LGBTQ+ leaders are visible and provide examples for the aspiring business leaders of tomorrow. There are also LGBTQ+ Chambers and many of the traditional business organizations also provide networking opportunities for the LGBTQ+ business leaders in their membership.
Do you have advice for people that want to start their own company specifically in the LGBTQ+ community?
Like any start up business, it is critical to have a solid business plan, effective marketing and good customer service. Organizations like SBDC, BBB, SCORE, business incubators and chamber organizations, especially the LGBTQ+ Chambers, are great resources for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to utilize. These organizations can help, not only with the initial development and launch, but ongoing support to keep your business prospering. You only get one chance to make a first impression so invest the time and resources to get it right from day one.
How can companies create inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ employees?
The best way to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ employees is to have a culture that celebrates diversity. Our community is a melting pot bringing together people from various countries, languages, religions, genders, sexual orientations, age groups, and socio-economic backgrounds. Only with the full inclusion and engagement of employees from these varied communities, can a business most easily understand and adapt to reach, engage and motivate the broader community. The commitment to diversity must be genuine and embraced because employees and customers will see through efforts that fall short.
