Chamber Celebrates Six Year Anniversary

“…the Chamber has become the leading voice for the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community in the region.” 

HOUSTON, TX (February 24, 2022) – Every February, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce celebrates its anniversary month. Today marks the sixth anniversary for the organization. 

The organization was co-founded by Tammi Wallace and Gary Wood with the goal to ensure the LGBTQ+ Business Community has a strong voice and access to economic opportunity. The overarching work of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber is focused on economic inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. The Chamber focuses on supporting and growing a thriving LGBTQ+ and Allied Business Community to create economic opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Greater Houston Chamber of Commerce officially launched on February 24, 2016 and held a launch event as part of the “LGBT Business Builders” event sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). Other collaborating partners for the event included Houston Community College and OutSmart Magazine.

“Since the launch of the organization in 2016,” the Chamber has become the leading voice for the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community in the region,” said Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder, President & CEO. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to support our members, especially during the pandemic, and bringing a wealth or resources to help them survive and thrive. As an organization at the intersection of business and community we have a tremendous opportunity to support our members.”

The Chamber has grown tremendously since its launch in 2016. Major accomplishments and contributions to the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community, and community as a whole, include:

• Tremendous growth through an increase in the number of members every year since the launch of the organization
• Increasing the number of LGBTBE® Certified businesses in the region and state
• Working with the City of Houston on Mayor Turner’s historic executive order to include LGBTQ+-owned businesses in contracting and procurement
• Offering and increasing programming and events annually to connect LGBTQ+ and Allied entrepreneurs
• Collaborating with other economic development organizations including LGBTQ+ chambers across the State of Texas as well as local and international partners
• Advocating to ensure the LGBTQ+ business community has a strong voice locally, regionally and statewide
• Creating economic opportunities for its members
• Recognition as the leading voice for the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ business community

“As we celebrate another anniversary, it’s exciting to look back at the accomplishments over the past six years, especially during some very challenging times,” said Tiffany Tosh, Board Chair and Member of the Founding Leadership Council. “There is so much opportunity ahead for the Chamber to make a difference for the LGBTQ+ community in the months and years ahead. We will bring even more resources, programming and connection for our members and the community.”

The Chamber’s progress and many accomplishments are in part because of the investment that our members and Corporate Partners have made in the Chamber and the dedicated time and support of individuals such as our Board  (both past and present), Executive Administrators and Founding Leadership Council. Thank you to every member, Corporate Partner and others that have supported the Chamber’s invested in the organization and supported its growth and impact. 

With these and more accomplishments since 2016, there is so much more work to be done considering that the LGBTQ+ community lacks economic opportunity and inclusion because of years of discrimination and marginalization. The organization is committed to growing programming and resources to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community has the resources and tools to generate wealth, have access to high-quality inclusive jobs, capital to start a business, financial access and so much more. The organization will spearhead crucial initiatives in the years ahead to bring visibility and collaborative solutions to address the economic needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

About the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce accelerates economic opportunity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + (LGBTQ+) business community through a strong network of business allies, innovative programs, strategic partnerships and advance policies that foster economic inclusion and equality. Learn more at www.houstonlgbtchamber.com.

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