Thomas “TJ” Chernick is the director
of the National LGBT Chamber of
Commerce, New York (nglccNY),
where he has worked since June of 2014.
TJ oversees the NGLCC’s New
York-based efforts and helps lead
the chamber’s national mission to
drive economic advancement in the
community at the local level. In New
York, TJ handles the local chapter’s
memberships and advocates for NGLCCcertified
businesses — thanks in part to
NGLCC’s successful campaign to push
Thomas “TJ”
Chernick
National LGBT Chamber of
Commerce-New York (nglccNY)
for the certification of queer-owned
businesses in the city.
TJ rose to become the organization’s
director after previously serving as the
NGLCC’s director of membership and
engagement.
Outside of NGLCC, TJ has experience
coordinating international genderbased
projects in Iraq with the
International Human Rights Law Institute.
He once worked as a program officer
for the International Fulbright Scholar
Program.
An avid writer and traveler, TJ is
interested in issues pertaining to sexual
minorities in the context of international
human rights — and he has lived
in Morocco and Iceland, where he
performed research. He enjoys playing
cello in his spare time.
TJ has a master’s degree in journalism
from DePaul University and a bachelor’s
degree in international relations from St.
Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.
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