The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the grand opening and rainbow ribbon cutting ceremony for the Impact Center for the Carolinas on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The facility is located at 2838 Queen City Drive, Suite A, in Charlotte.
The Impact Center for the Carolinas is a groundbreaking initiative designed to motivate economic empowerment, workforce development and small business and professional growth throughout the region. Boasting 2,800+ square feet, the center will serve as:
- The administrative home of the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce & The 628 Foundation
- A non-profit incubation space, supporting emerging organizations dedicated to social impact
- A co-working and training hub, providing resources and guidance for entrepreneurs and small business owners
- A multipurpose room for educational programs, events, workforce development initiatives, and professional training
- A Wi-Fi lounge & collaboration space, fostering an environment where professionals and business leaders can connect and thrive
- Pod & media space for content creation and education
The multipurpose room, Wi-Fi lounge, and co-working space and training hub will be available to members and partners, and can be reserved.
In its 34rd year, the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce continues to expand its reach, now serving more than 500 members and 45 corporate partners across 90 counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. The launch of the Impact Center strengthens the Chamber’s mission to provide education, economic opportunity, and advocacy for small and minority-owned businesses, non-profits, and professionals.
The Freedom Center for Social Justice will add their headquarters to the Impact Center as well. For more than a decade, we have relied heavily on their partnership and value their continued collaboration.
Grand Opening Celebration
The Chamber will host the open house from noon – 7:30 p.m., with the official rainbow ribbon cutting at 6:30 p.m., alongside staff, board members, elected officials, corporate partners, and community leaders. The event will feature food, music, networking, and celebrations honoring those who contributed to making the Impact Center a reality.
A Community Effort
The creation of the Impact Center was made possible through the dedication of key partners and sponsors who played a vital role in the design and buildout of the space, including CLTGeek, Jen Carbuto Designs, Hatted Handyman Services, Truliant Federal Credit Union, Make A Move and Wells Fargo.
“We are excited to be a community partner of the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce in all their business and professional efforts,” says Toya Patterson, Business Partner Officer for Truliant. “We congratulate the Chamber on their continued intentional impact in the community and look forward to future partnerships that support local businesses and economic growth.”
“The Impact Center is more than just a building—it’s a catalyst for growth and change,” explains Chad Turner, President & CEO of the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce. “This space will empower small businesses, provide resources for non-profits and create an inclusive hub for professionals to engage, learn, and grow. We are incredibly grateful to our partners and supporters who have helped bring this vision to life.”
“As a member of the Chamber for the past 10 years, I’ve witnessed both the obstacles we’ve faced and the powerful progress we’ve made fighting for equity, growing our membership, and expanding partnerships that uplift LGBTQ+ businesses across the region,” CLGBTCC Chair, Mel Morris offers. “Until now, that work has happened in a patchwork of borrowed spaces, fueled by passion and grit.
“The new Impact Center changes everything. We’re finally creating a home. An intentionally designed, safe, and vibrant hub where LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and business owners can access vital services, ongoing training, collaborative co-working, and community resources. This isn’t just a building. It’s a bold statement of presence and possibility. It’s a beautiful Queer Quilt stitched together by us, for us and it’s ready to wrap our community in connection, support, and strength.”The grand opening and rainbow ribbon cutting of the Impact Center for the Carolinas is open to all. For more information, visit www.clgbtcc.org or call 704-837-4050, ext. 7102.