A few years back, a former intern contacted me and asked to grab a coffee. Without hesitation, I invited them to a local coffee spot where we could meet. It had been years since we had seen or even spoken to each other.
To give you a bit of background, CargoTrans had an internship program engaging two to three local and international students per year. They taught us a lot, and many are still in the industry today.
It was one of those beautiful spring NYC mornings where the sun was shining, and the birds were chirping — everything seemed alright in the world. I headed to my corner coffee spot, where the former intern was waiting. We hugged — I grabbed some coffee — and we started to catch up. They were happy to see me, but I got the sense they were a bit shy. We began sharing some life updates and reminiscing about former and current colleagues. Sharing updates about our families and work.
I immediately thanked them for their kind words, but assured them that their hard work, courage to move abroad, and good instincts are how they achieved their success. Yes, we provided an opportunity, but they made it happen.
They stopped me — “No. You changed my life.”
I’m confused on the inside thinking — okay, maybe they really enjoyed their position, and we taught them more than I realized. They elaborated.
“Seeing you — a gay man — in the workplace changed my life. I, too, am gay.”
I was without words — which, if you know me, rarely happens. I think I successfully held back tears. I think. They were tears of joy, but also of disappointment. A missed opportunity to support them during their internship in a more meaningful way. At that moment, I felt so much responsibility. These are the moments I’ve often heard teachers and leaders of larger organizations talk about. It’s all about making a difference in someone’s life — no matter how small. I never thought I could make such an impact in our humble organization.
On Being Out in the Logistics Industry
To be transparent, I often struggle with being out in the logistics industry. Even within my own organization, it took time for me to talk openly about my life outside of the office. To this day, I admit there are times when I’m abroad or in settings where I don’t feel 100% safe, and I choose to avoid certain topics or questions. As I write this, I know that there may be people reading this with whom I haven’t been open — mostly because I’m unsure of how it would be received.
The logistics industry has evolved over the last decade; however, there is still more progress to be made toward equity and inclusion. It is, in many ways, a diverse industry due to the global nature of the business — yet that global diversity doesn’t always translate into personal safety or acceptance for LGBTQ+ professionals in every market and setting.
Our LGBTBE Certification
And so, as of March 8, 2024, CargoTrans has become an LGBTBE-certified business by the NGLCC — the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBTQ+ people, and the exclusive certifying body for LGBTQ-owned businesses.
As a family business, we wanted to display our pride and create a safe space for other LGBTQ+ individuals and minorities in logistics. We look forward to growing our diverse client, supplier, and employee network.
Our goal with this certification is to continue inspiring and supporting the interns and the people who aren’t sure they can. To that intern — you changed my life, and I’m forever grateful.
Quantify your exposure in 20 minutes
Our trade strategists run your last 90 days of entries through Captain to surface refund eligibility, Section 232 traps and PNTR risk.
What This Means for Our Work
This certification isn’t just symbolic. It shapes the kind of company we want to be — and the kind of service we provide. At CargoTrans, we believe that inclusive teams build better solutions. The same openness and adaptability that drives our commitment to diversity also drives our investment in technology and transparency for our clients.
Our supply chain visibility software and Control Tower platform were built by a team of people who believe in doing logistics differently — with more humanity, more transparency, and more care for the people on both sides of every shipment.
Questions? All you have to do is contact us.
