Media Room
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.
- 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
U.S. Small Business Administration and Chamber Renew Strategic Alliance
The strong collaboration between the Chamber and the SBA help LGBTQ+ and Allied owned businesses thrive and succeed.
U.S. Small Business Administration and Chamber Renew
Strategic Alliance
“The SBA has been a tremendous strategic partner with the Chamber starting quite literally from day one to support our mission of economic inclusion for the LGBTQ+ business community.”
HOUSTON, TX (January 7, 2021) – In a virtual signing ceremony, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce and its strategic partner, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), officially renewed the long-term strategic alliance between both entities. The signing of the Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) continues the strong collaboration between the Chamber and the SBA to help LGBTQ+ and Allied owned businesses thrive and succeed.
Through the strategic alliance, the Chamber collaborates with the U.S. Small Business Administration and closely with the Houston District Office throughout the year on various areas including programming, resources and other key focus areas to support Chamber members.
“The SBA has been a tremendous strategic partner with the Chamber starting quite literally from day one to support our mission of economic inclusion for the LGBTQ+ business community,” said Tammi Wallace, Chamber Co-Founder, President & CEO. The SBA was one of the Chamber’s participating organizations for the launch of the organization in 2016 through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) & SBA LGBT Business Builder Program.
“We are thrilled to be renewing and expanding our formal relationship with the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber,” said Tim Jeffcoat, U.S. Small Business Administration, Houston District Director. “SBA was honored to be involved in the founding of the Chamber and has been delighted to watch it evolve and grow to be one of the most impactful, dynamic LGBT chambers in the nation.”
“Under the leadership of Houston District Director, Tim Jeffcoat, the relationship between the SBA and the Chamber has grown tremendously since the start of the strategic alliance. “We appreciate the tremendous support and commitment from the SBA to support LGBTQ+ businesses and the strong collaboration with the Houston District Office. The support from the SBA has been invaluable over the years and even more so during the pandemic,” said Wallace.
The commitment between both entities through strategic alliance is to partner and share resources and ideas to help LGBTQ+ businesses achieve the American dream of small business ownership. The U.S. Small Business Administration has a wealth of information to support businesses from loan programs, to educational programs and mentoring. The SAM Agreement marks a renewal for two years through 2022.
The virtual signing, including other SBA Strategic Alliance Partners, was recorded and is viewable by clicking the image below.
The full Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) can be reviewed here.
Read the recent Chamber Chat Blog Post with SBA Houston District Director, Tim Jeffcoat.
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.
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Media Contact : Tammi Wallace / 713-301-2266 / tammi.wallace@houstonlgbtchamber.com
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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