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In the News
Houstonia: Houston Business Deals Just Got Way More Inclusive (March 2021)
KUHF: Teachers Move Up The Priority List for COVID-19 Vaccines (March 2021)
ABC13: Houston becomes first in Texas to set participation goals for LGBTQ-certified businesses in city contracts (March 2021)
Community Impact: Houston becomes first in Texas to set participation goals for LGBTQ-certified businesses in city contracts (March 2021)
Greater Houston Partnership: Houston First in TX to Expand Contracting with LGBT Businesses (March 2021)
Houston Chronicle: Houston adds LGBT certification for city contractors (March 2021)
Houston Business Journal: Houston first city in Texas to create initiative to expand contracting with LGBTQ businesses (March 2021)
OutSmart Magazine: LGBTQ-Certified Businesses Now Included in the City of Houston Procurement Process (March 2021)
Houston Business Journal: Houston Business Journal names individual honorees for 2021 Diversity in Business Awards (February 2021)
KPRC2: House pass legislation to ban discrimination on sexual orientation, gender identity (February 2021)
Community Impact Newspaper: Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce celebrates five years of service (February 2021)
Realty News Report: Nation's Largest LGBTQ Seniors Housing Center Opens in Houston (February 2021)
ABC13: $1 million grant to be awarded to 100 minority-owned Houston businesses (February 2021)
Houston Business Journal: Comcast pledges $1M in grants to BIPOC-owned Houston small businesses (February 2021)
Telemundo Houston: Comcast otorga $1 millón de ayuda para pequeños negocios en Houston (February 2021)
Houston Chronicle: $1 Million in Grants to be Allocated to Houston Minority Small Businesses (February 2021)
Houston Public Media: New $1 Million Grant will Go To 100 Minority-Owned Houston Businesses (February 2021)
OutSmart Magazine: ’Tis the Season for Giving (December 2020)
Community Impact Newspaper: Greater Houston LGBT Chamber hosts holiday food drive (November 2020)
OutSmart Magazine: Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce Hosts ‘Pride Across Texas’ Today (November 2020)
Dallas Voice: LGBTQ chambers hosting statewide networking event (November 2020)
KPRC2: Francis becomes 1st pope to endorse same-sex civil unions (October 2020)
OutSmart Magazine: Chamber Recognized as Favorite Local LGBTQ Community Organization (October 2020)
Dallas Voice: Texas LGBTQ Chambers introduces Out To Vote Early (September 2020)
Houston Business Journal: LGBT Chamber Chair: Cos' have to put in the work' after Supreme Court's job discrimination ruling (June 2020)
Greater Houston Partnership: Empowering Houston's LGBT Business Owners and Allies (June 2020)
Houston Business Journal: For Montrose, Pride amid Covid-19 evokes complex emotions (June 2020)
OutSmart Magazine: Will Corporate Sponsors Show Up for Pride 2020? (May 2020)
OutSmart Magazine: Local LGBTQ Businesses Come Out …of Quarantine (May 2020)
OutSmart Magazine: LGBTQ Organizations Adapt to the Pandemic (April 2020)
OutSmart Magazine: Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s 4th Anniversary Party (March 2020)
RocketsWire: Houston Rockets announce first annual Pride Night for April 2 (February 2020)
OutSmart Magazine: Rockets Host Their First-Ever Pride Night (February 2020)
KPRC2: Baseball is for everyone': Houston Astros to host Pride Night in June among other special days (February 2020)
Houston Chronicle: Astros to host Pride Night during 2020 season (February 2020)
OutSmart Magazine: Astros to host an LGBTQ Pride Event (February 2020)
NGLCC: Building Resources for a Robust LGBT Business Community (February 2020)
InnovationMap: Houston software entrepreneur discusses company growth and the importance of remembrance during Pride Month (June 2019)
Houston Business Journal: Op-ed: Stonewall paved the way for Houston's LGBTQ community (June 2019)
InnovationMap: Houston Business Leader on the Importance of Engaging the LGBTQ community (June 2019)
OutSmart Magazine: New LGBTQ Coalition Seeks to Hold Politicians Accountable (June 2019)
BEQ Magazine: Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce scores big for local businesses (March 2019)
OutSmart Magazine: Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce Unite (March 2019)
Houston Business Journal: Yes, Texas LGBT business leaders advocate for social issues, but focus just as much on economic ones (February 2019)
Houston Business Journal: LGBT business groups link up with state lawmakers to push for greater protections in Texas (February 2019)
Dallas Voice: Texas LGBT Chambers form coalition (February 2019)
OUTINSA: Four Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce Join Forces to Advocate for Equality (February 2019)
OutSmart Magazine: Author Mark David Gibson Brings "Living Authentically" Discourse to Houston (January 2019)
OutSmart Magazine: Constable Rosen’s Office to Offer Self-Defense Training to LGBTQ Community (December 2018)
KPRC2: 'It's an Act of Hate': Police Investing defacement of Houston's Pride Wall. (November 2018)
Houston Business Journal: Op-ed: Supreme Court ruling isn't the end of the religious freedom in business debate (June 2018)
Houston Business Journal: Houston companies make some strides in LGBTQ equality, but still lag behind other cities (June 2018)
Houston Public Media: LGBT and immigration activists from Houston go to Austin to criticize SB4 and SB6 (March 2017)
Houston Chronicle: LGBT chamber, small business agency form partnership (September 2016)
Houston Business Journal: New Houston LGBT chamber of commerce forms (February 2016)
Monthly Newsletters
April 2021 - Inaugural Member Spotlights, Pride In Business, Viral Video
March 2021 - Celebration, Inaugural Member Spotlights, Pitch Your Biz
February 2021 - Chamber Anniversary, Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, Member Spotlights
January 2021 - PPP, Legislative Convenes, New Events for 2021, Member Spotlights
December 2020 - Closing out the Year, Chamber Holiday Food Drive, Corporate Partner Highlight
November 2020 - Gratitude, Chamber Holiday Food Drive, Alley Virtual Holiday Celebrations
October 2020 - Gayest & Greatest Winners, Out to Vote Early, LGBTQ Bar Polling Location
September 2020 - President & CEO and Board Leadership Announcement, Member Spotlights, National Small Business Week
August 2020 - Gayest & Greatest, PPP Loan Forgiveness, Board Member Spotlight, New YouTube Channel
July 2020 - Chamber Champion, Consulate General of Mexico in Houston Partnership, Harris County Small Business Recovery Fund, PPP Deadline Extended
June 2020 - Pride Month, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Conference, PPP Funds Still Available
May 2020 - How To Get LGBTBE Certified, New OBO Director, Upcoming Events
April 2020 - ChamberCares, Bank of America Accepting PPP Applications, New Webinars
March 2020 - COVID-19, Support Local, Upcoming Webinars
February 2020 - Chamber 4th Anniversary, Pride Nights, New Corporate Partner
January 2020 - Chamber of the Year, NGLCC 2020 Conference
December 2019 - End of Year Message, Small Business Award Nominations
November 2019 - Holiday Party, October Event Recap
October 2019 - National Coming Out Day, Upcoming Events
September 2019 - Tropical Storm Imelda, NGLCC Conference Recap
August 2019 - New Corporate Partner, Member Spotlights
July 2019 - Inaugural Education Series, member gets special recognition
June 2019 - Celebrating Pride, Upcoming Events & More!
May 2019 - Pride in Business, LGBTBE® certification
April 2019 - NGLCC Conference Registration, United Leading the Way
March 2019 - Chamber 3rd Anniversary, New Strategic Partnerships
February 2019 - Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce Unite, Welcome Jonathan Marrs
January 2019 - Special event with Mark David Gibson, Regions Bank ribbon cutting
December 2018 - New Silver Corporate Partner Comcast, happy holidays
November 2018- New Chamber site, sponsorship opportunities and more
October 2018- Chamber Board Chair transition, SBA Strategic Partnership
September 2018- UH Small Biz Development Workshops, Entrepreneurial Bootcamp
August 2018 - Thank you to corporate partners, member gets special recognition
July 2018 - Prepare for natural disasters and countdown to conference
June 2018 - Pride in Business, Pride calendar and more
April 2018 - NGLCC mentorship, Contemporary Relationships Conference
March 2018 - NGLCC Early Bird rates, Facebook workshops
February 2018 - Women's Business Workshop and Philly bound
January 2018- Value of the gay dollar and recent event photos
Greater Houston LGBT Chamber Celebrates 1st Year
More than 50 members have joined organization
HOUSTON (March 6, 2017) – The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its first anniversary and marking significant achievements in its first full year.
The Chamber officially launched on February 24, 2016 and has since grown to include more than 50 members. Chamber Co-Founders Tammi Wallace and Gary Wood said they were pleased with the organization’s accomplishments over the last year, which include:
- Launch of branding and marketing elements including logo, website, social media channels and marketing materials.
- Creation of a formal Steering Committee.
- Creation of five committees focusing on everything from membership to development.
- Membership growth to more than 50 members, including four founding members and three corporate partners.
- Hosting of 20 events and programs including monthly happy hours and a collaboration on the Grow Your Business Summit.
- Establishment of a strategic alliance with the Small Business Administration, Houston District Office.
- Completion of more than 25 site visits to help businesses become certified as LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE®).
- Growing the number of LGBTBE® certified businesses in Houston to nearly 30.
- Partnering with the Super Bowl Host Committee as part of the NFL's Business Connect program, which resulted in six Chamber member companies securing contracts with the Super Bowl.
“We could not have asked for a better first year, but it’s only the beginning,” Wallace said. “We have ambitious plans to grow this organization and expand on our mission to create economic opportunity for LGBT-owned businesses in the region.” Part of the opportunity ahead includes educating businesses about the LGBTBE® certification and continuing to grow the number of certified businesses in the region. Wood said, “Our tremendous growth in our launch year has resulted in close to half of all LGBTBE®certified businesses in Texas that are located in the Greater Houston region,” Wood said. “We are excited to support even more LGBT business owners as they seek the LGBTBE® certification.”
Additional Info
Media Contact : Tammi Wallace (she|her|hers) / 713-301-2266/ tammi.wallace@houstonlgbtchamber.com