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What is the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce?

The Chamber is the leading voice for the LGBTQ+ and Allied Business Community in the Greater Houston region.

Mission: The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce accelerates economic opportunity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + business community through a strong network of business allies, innovative programs, strategic partnerships and advance policies that foster economic inclusion and equality.

The Chamber launched in 2016 to ensure representation for the LGBTQ+ Business Community.  The organization was founded by Co-Founders Tammi Wallace and Gary Wood.  The  Chamber is supported by members and Corporate Partners that invest in the mission of the organization.

Fast Facts:
  • Grown every year since the launch of the organization
  • Only business organization in the region focused on supporting and growing the LGBTQ+ and Allied Business Community
  • Working with the Chamber and the NGLCC, the City of Houston is the first city in Texas to recognize LGBT-owned businesses
  • Largest number of Certified LGBTBE® businesses in the State of Texas
Learn more about the Chamber here.

Houston is First in Texas to Include LGBT Businesses

City of Houston Makes Historic Announcement with the Inclusion of LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses


Houston is First in Texas to Include LGBT Businesses

Historic collaboration between The City of Houston, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce will generate massive social and economic gains for the LGBT business community of Texas 

Houston, TX  / Washington, DC (March 4, 2021) -  The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, is proud to announce Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has signed an executive order including NGLCC Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers and ensuring they have equitable access to contracting and procurement opportunities throughout the city. For LGBT citizens of Houston, this inclusive policy provides fair and equal access to contracting opportunities and economic development programs that drive innovation, create jobs, and promote economic growth throughout the region. 

“Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Sylvester Turner and of our local affiliate chamber, the award-winning Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, LGBT entrepreneurs in the Houston region will now have the opportunity to create jobs and develop innovations that benefit all who live there. History has been made here in Houston, and this victory for inclusivity has once again proved our core values that ‘diversity is good for business’ and that ‘if you can buy it, a Certified LGBTBE® can supply it.’ We are excited to see LGBTBEs in every field, from construction to catering and everything in between, help grow the economy of Houston and beyond,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson.

This Executive Order makes Houston the first city in Texas, and one of the largest in the nation, to intentionally create an initiative to expand its inclusion of LGBT-owned businesses in municipal contracting and procurement opportunities. Coupled with the educational, mentorship, networking and access to capital programs offered by both the national and Houston chamber networks, business owners from across all diverse communities in the greater Houston region will see fresh opportunities to thrive. 

“As the most diverse city in the country, the City of Houston is sending a strong message that our great city is open to all including LGBTQ owned businesses. The LGBTQ business community plays a vital role in the local economy and is an important part of our diverse city. Inclusion of the LGBTBE® Certification means that LGBTQ entrepreneurs can engage authentically and have access to economic opportunities, tools and resources. Thank you to Mayor Turner for paving the way in Texas and for his commitment to the LGBTQ business community,” said Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder, President & CEO, Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce. 

The City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) will provide implementation and oversight of this new initiative. Educational webinars and additional information about the inclusion of LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs®) in OBO’s online certification directory will be shared via email, as well as on national and local chamber websites, in the weeks ahead. 

“The signing of this executive order coincides with the five-year anniversary of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber, and I am especially proud to celebrate these two historic milestones,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “The City of Houston has always been committed to providing fair and equal access to economic and contracting opportunities to all eligible businesses – and we are proud to formally memorialize this commitment to the LGBTQ community.” 

In addition to its certification directory, OBO also provides a host of support services for Houston’s small business community, as well as business development and workforce development programs – all of which are available to all individuals. 

“We look forward to the increased participation and awareness of the LGBT community in our programs, which are meant to help businesses grow and increase their success in bidding for contracts in both the public and private sectors,” said OBO Director Marsha E. Murray. “We are eager to strengthen our partnership with the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber and the NGLCC to provide these opportunities.” 

Such inclusion is now a best practice of the private sector and of an ever-growing number of states and municipalities thanks to the advocacy of NGLCC and its state and local affiliate chambers like the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Recent advocacy wins for NGLCC Certified LGBTBE® suppliers include New York City; Los Angeles; Chicago; Miami; Nashville; and statewide opportunities with Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and California. 

“While we have a long way to go for LGBT equality in the region, Texas has always defied stereotypes and discrimination with a strong and growing network of NGLCC Certified LGBTBE® suppliers and LGBT-owned companies. We hope this Executive Order in Houston will encourage more cities in Texas to proactively include the LGBT community for the optimum social and economic health of their cities. Collectively, LGBT-owned businesses contribute to the $1.7 trillion dollars that the LGBT business community puts into the national economy.  Progressive and inclusive leadership, like that of Mayor Turner, will ensure greater access to the American Dream for every American,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & CEO Chance Mitchell. 


Click here to watch the signing Ceremony with Mayor Sylvester Turner.

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About NGLCC

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses, known as LGBT Business Enterprises (Certified LGBTBEs®). www.nglcc.org @nglcc


About the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Established in February 2016, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to accelerate 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.

NGLCC MEDIA CONTACT
Jonathan Lovitz, Senior Vice President
press@nglcc.org | cell: 954-695-5896

GHLGBTCC MEDIA CONTACT
Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder, President & CEO
tammi.wallace@houstonlgbtchamber.com | cell: 713-301-2266


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Listen to Chamber Leadership talk about the important work of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce focused on economic inclusion for the LGBTQ+ & Allied Business Community. The Chamber is at the intersection of business + community!

The Chamber provides tremendous value to member businesses through business development opportunities, marketing exposure to businesses and consumers, including the LGBTQ+ market, representation in the regional and national LGBTQ+ and business communities, resources for business growth and operation, and advocacy for equal rights and business-friendly public policy.

Media Inquiries:

For media inquiries, please contact 832-510-3002 or info@houstonlgbtchamber.com

The Chamber is always making news! Check out recent articles about the Chamber here.