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Dear Greater Houston LGBTQ,
It's been another busy month at the Chamber. We have been "OUT & About" from Austin to Galveston to Katy and much more in between connecting with members and the community not to mention our legislators at our Day at the Capitol.
I want to take a moment to thank our incredible team for all of their hard work. They continue to go above and beyond to serve our members and community. Their tireless dedication to our mission is what moves us forward especially during these trying times. I am grateful for ALL they do.
Their resilience is built into our organizational DNA as we keep the organization moving forward. Why? Because our members and community need us to push forward.
For the Chamber, we continue to emphasize that this is a year of resilience and purpose. We have much work to do and just like this past month, you'll see in this issue, we are working for you and our community, there is more ahead. Now is a great time to get engaged and be with community.
We are here for you!
In Community,
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Tammi Wallace (she/her/hers)
Co-Founder and President & CEO
Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
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It was a very successful Day at the Capitol with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce. Thank you to everyone who joined us to connect with legislators and advocate for those issues that matter to our businesses and community.
Check out photos and videos from the day here.
| | | SPONSOR PRIDE IN BUSINESS! | | This premier Pride Month event is a fantastic sponsorship opportunity! We anticipate 800+ attendees on June 6, making it the perfect platform to showcase your company and commitment to inclusion, equality, and community. | | |
Align your brand with inclusion, equality, and community. Showcase your support by sponsoring this signature Pride Month event.
Sponsorship opportunities are now available—showcase your support today!
With your partnership, we will take the Pride In Business Celebration to the next level. Join us in making an impact—secure your sponsorship now!
| | | | | At the Chamber's Anniversary Celebration last month, we recognized Thomas Lopez, whose leadership has helped guide the Chamber through a period of tremendous growth and impact. He finished up his recent term as board chair. Thomas' commitment to the Chamber and the LGBTQ+ business community has been invaluable, and we are grateful for his service and vision. Thank you, Thomas! | | 2024 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR | | |
A huge congratulations to our 2024 Volunteer of the Year, Greg Kay. His dedication and hard work have made a lasting impact on the Chamber. We are deeply grateful for his time, talent, and the passion he brings to support our work.
We surprised Greg with the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Chamber's 9-Year Anniversary Celebration event last month. Congratulations Greg!
| | | LAST CALL! APPLY BEFORE MARCH 28! | | | | |
The Chamber is proud to collaborate with Commissioner Adrian Garcia on the Precinct 2 Biz2Empower Small Business Accelerator program. Learn how to make your business thrive in 2025 with the training modules in the Government Contracting Made Simple Certificate Training Course through business modules including Simplifying Government Contracts, Credit Smart for Small Business, and Competitive Bid Pricing Strategy.
As part of Commissioner Garcia’s support of the LGBTQ+ community and the Chamber, the spring cohort will include a focus on LGBTQ+ owned businesses. We thank Commissioner Garcia for his continued support and investment in the LGBTQ+ community. Apply today for this unique opportunity to help your business grow and thrive. The deadline to apply is TOMORROW, Friday, March 28, 2025.
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First Friday Meet & Eat at Hearthstone Country Club
Great networking this afternoon as the Chamber’s only country club member - Hearthstone Country Club - hosted for the First Friday Meet & Eat!
Outstanding attendance, delicious food, fun door prizes and great conversations! Thank you to one of our newest members, Hearthstone Country Club for hosting us.
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2025's First Show Your Pride Photo Shoot in Galveston
We hosted our first Show Your Pride Open Studio Session on the island! We appreciate Chamber Member, Galveston Arts Center, for hosting us.
Thank you to everyone who join us! Be part of the 2025 campaign! Check out the calendar for upcoming Show Your Pride photo shoots.
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Walk to End HIV
It was another great year at the Walk to End HIV! Congratuatlions to Chamber nonprofit member, Allies In Hope, for a successful walk.
Shout out to ExxonMobil's PRIDE Group for raising the most dollars of any ERG group!
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Show Your Pride Open Studio Photo Shoot at Sesh
We hosted the first Show Your Pride Photo Shoot in HTown. Thank you to Chamber Partner, Sesh Coworking, for hosting us and partnering with us on this important visibility campaign.
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3rd Thursday Breakfast - Community & Connections
Over 100 people joined us for the March 3rd Thursday Breakfast. We appreciate Chamber Impact Partner, Legacy Community Health, for sponsoring the event.
As part of the breakfast, we recognized LGBTQ Health Awarness Week. Thank you to Kenneth Jones, Manager of Pharmacy Operations at Legacy shared urgency often helps for sharing his personal connection to their important work. If you're not attending the breakfast, you are missing out!
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Houston Rockets Pride Night
If it's March - it's Houston Rockets Pride Night. It was a win over the Atlanta Hawks 121-114. Way to go Rockets!
Each year, we work with the team on recognition of community leaders during halftime. This year the following Chamber members were recognized:
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Ashley Barnes, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
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Avery Belyeu, the Montrose Center
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Brandi Lira, Out for Education
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Hunny Phillips, Fort Bend County Pride
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Timothy Wayne, Brazoria County Pride
Congratulations to all of these remarkable community leaders!
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BE A PART OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS!
The Chamber calendar is regularly updated, so bookmark it! We are currently updating the calendar with 2025 events. Our Calendar provides the details and all you have to do is register. We hope you'll join us - as always, we'd love to see you! We have so many ways to engage and be involved every month.
| | WILL WE SEE YOU AT THE BRUNCH? | Join us at the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund for the upcoming Houston Champagne Brunch this Sunday, March 30th at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. | | Houston Business Journal Diversity in Business Award Honorees | 👏 Congratulations to our Chamber Members and Partners honored by the Houston Business Journal as Outstanding Diverse Organizations and Outstanding Diversity Champions in the Diversity in Business Awards! We’re so proud to celebrate their impact and commitment to inclusion! | | Special shout out to Chamber Board Members, Thomas Lopez, Stephen Miranda and Dr. Roy Rivera, Jr. for their awards! | | |
Talking about impact! One of our newest Chamber Impact Partners, CORT, came through to support community.
They donated furniture to the Chamber for our office and we facilitated a donation to Chamber Member, the Montrose Center as well. Thank you, CORT!
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Statement on the Passing of
Congressman Sylvester Turner
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The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce mourns the passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner, a trailblazing leader whose unwavering commitment to equality, justice, and economic empowerment transformed the lives of countless individuals and businesses in our community.
As Mayor of Houston, Congressman Turner championed a groundbreaking initiative to support LGBTQ+ businesses, where he issued a historic executive order ensuring the inclusion of NGLCC Certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE®) in municipal contracting and procurement opportunities. This bold action made Houston the first city in Texas—and one of the largest in the nation—to prioritize equitable access for LGBTQ+-owned businesses, fostering economic growth and innovation across the region.
| | Houston 50 Most Influential Women 2024 | | |
Congratulations to the following Chamber Members and Partners who were recently recognized as one of Houston's 50 Most Influential Women for 2024.
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Teal Holden, Memorial Hermann Health System
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Vicki Luna, H-E-B
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Caroline Vérot Moore, CFA, Regions Bank
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Gretchen Sheirr, Houston Rockets
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Nancy Sims, the Montrose Center
| | | Explore 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities! | | | | |
Check out the Chamber's 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities Guide. Unlock incredible opportunities to spotlight your business or organization while supporting the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s mission in 2025!
From signature events like Pride In Business to impactful campaigns like Show Your Pride, our sponsorships are tailored to maximize visibility and engagement. Our 2025 sponsorship opportunities offer meaningful ways to promote your brand, engage with the community, and drive economic impact.
| | By partnering with the Chamber through sponsorship, you’re investing in a win-win - advancing equality and visibility while creating connections that support your business or organization. Your sponsorship support makes a huge difference for the Chamber! | | | | Congratulations to Chamber Member, Nancy Sims, on two recent outstanding recognitions. Nancy was honored on the floor of the Texas House as one of three Houston women making a difference during Women's History Month. She was also named one of Houston's 50 Most Influential Women by Houston Woman Magazine, with Mayor Whitmire personally presenting her award. | | Do you have some good news to share? From time to time, the Chamber highlights significant accomplishments, big milestones and other good news about our Members and Corporate Partners. Please submit news about your member business via the form below. | | THANK YOU RENEWING IMPACT PARTNERS AND CHAMBER MEMBERS | | | | |
It was fantastic few days in Cleveland, OH with our LGBTQ+ Chamber colleagues at the 2025 National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Affiliate Chamber Education Summit.
| | Chamber Board Member, Thomas Lopez participated in a Greater Houston Workforce Roundtable discussion hosted by Commissioner Adrian Garcia, which included higher education and other community leaders. The discussion focused on the impact of new policies from Congress and the Trump Administration on Greater Houston’s workforce. | | | | | We had a wonderful time at the Houston’s International Women’s Day Celebration at City Hall. The event was sponsored by the United Nations Association in partnership with Mayor John Whitmire's Office. | | Thank you to Chamber Impact Partner, Arca Continental Coca Cola Southwest Beverages for hosting us at the Houston Rodeo. Yee-Haw! 🤠 | | | Chamber Co-Founder, President & CEO, Tammi Wallace, joined Rev. Heather Patriacca Tolleson to tour First Katy Christian Church, one of our nonprofit members, and one of their ministries, Transparent Closet, which occupies nearly 4,000 square feet of space for clothing donations, shoes, binders and much more. Everything in the closet is free and offers a place for youth and young adults to shop and try on clothes that is safe. | | | | | Ryan Wilson, Director of Corporate Relations with the Chamber, joined the Shell USA team for Houston Dynamo game at Shell Energy Stadium. Thank you to Shell USA for including the Chamber along with other community partners for a fun night! | | |
Our very own Tammi Wallace emceed/moderated
Commissioner Briones' Women's History Month Luncheon. The event included an outstanding panel of women sharing their stories. It was powerful event reminding everyone on the room that there is still so much more work to be done but leaving everyone energized to move forward. Thank you to Commissioner Briones for the invitation to join her for this special event.
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| | Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas | | |
Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
www.houstonlgbtqchamber.com
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