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Dear Greater Houston LGBTQ,
It's hard to believe we are now on the cusp of September. Time flies and it certainly has for us at the Chamber. It's been another busy month focused on networking, connecting members, engaging elected officials and much more. We got back earlier this month from Palm Springs (can you say hot?!?!) as we attended the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce International Business and Leadership Conference. Read further to check out all of this month’s highlights.
Congratulations are in order! In this issue, we are highlighting Chamber Impact Partner, Comcast, and some of our members who are recipients of the Comcast RISE program.
Also, we have started our 2025 planning and we are excited about next year as we support our members and engage. Did you know, with the Chamber's growth, it now takes us around 3-4 months to do our annual planning? With almost 500 members (and growing!), there is so much to do as we look ahead. It's a big task but exciting as well as we plan for the year ahead.
With that...we still have a ton planned for the rest of this year so stay tuned. Check out the Chamber calendar for all of the upcoming events.
In the meantime, enjoy this recap and member highlights in this issue of the Chamber Connection. I hope to see you at an upcoming event! By the way...if you are not a member, we would love to get you engaged. Visit houstonlgbtchamber.com to learn more.
Let’s continue to grow, advocate, and celebrate our diverse and dynamic community.
With Pride and Purpose,
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Tammi Wallace (she/her/hers)
Co-Founder and President & CEO
Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
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And that’s a wrap! It was great to spend time with the team, colleagues and friends at the NGLCC Conference in Palm Springs! The icing on the cake to top off a fabulous week...our Chamber won a gift from Google for best social media engagement during the conference! Special thanks to Chamber Partner, Soneja Creative LLC, for capturing the amazing photo and video content! See you next year in Vegas! | | |
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Check out the latest updates on Hurricane Beryl Disaster Recovery Resources on the Chamber Disaster Recovery page. | | |
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Thank you to everyone who joined us today for the First Friday Meet & Eat at Chamber Impact Partner IKEA’s restaurant! It was a fantastic lunch filled with networking, savoring Swedish meatballs, and celebrating Jack’s birthday | | |
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We had an incredible morning at the Chamber's 3rd Thursday breakfast!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special shoutout to our sponsor Gonzalez Olivieri for their unwavering support.
We're also deeply grateful to Postino WineCafe, Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe, and Vinny's for their generous donations during Pride Month. We accepted the "big checks" from their fundraisers for the Chamber, making the morning even more memorable for our Chamber community. Together, we're building a stronger, more inclusive future!
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Thank you to those who joined our Director of Programs & Events, Jack Berger, for this month's PERK'D UP at Chamber Member Salt & Sugar! What started as a 'Come & Go' event turned into a 'Come & Stay' gathering, and we loved spending two hours connecting with everyone!
A special thanks to Salt & Sugar for being the perfect hosts! Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to meet or a cozy place for weekend brunch, they’ve got you covered!
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A big thank you to everyone who came out to the LAMBDA NextGen Happy Hour! Your energy and enthusiasm made it an incredible evening of networking, fun, and community. We loved connecting with all of you and can't wait for the next one!
And thanks to Chamber Member 8th Wonder Brewery for hosting this event!
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BE A PART OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS!
The Chamber calendar is regularly updated, so please check back often. Our Events 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.
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BLACK BIZ MONTH HIGHLIGHTS | |
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Did you know that August is National Black Business Month? The month was created to celebrate, recognize and support Black-owned businesses in the United States. Here are some of our members that we are celebrating this month!
Black-owned businesses are a testament to the country's progress towards equality and diversity. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 3.6 million Black-owned businesses in the United States, which generate $217 billion in revenue annually and support more than 3.56 million jobs.
Check out these members and more on the Chamber Directory.
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COMCAST'S RISE PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE CHAMBER MEMBERS! | |
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Chamber Impact Partner, Comcast released its list of recipients for the Comcast RISE program. 100 area small businesses are getting a $500K boost, tech makeovers and more.
Congratulations to our members who received support through the grant including:
- Debonair Design LLC
- Elation Physical Therapy
- B2G Victory LLC
- Star Sailor
- Like Minds Communications
- Santander Concepts, LLC
The Comcast RISE program is now in its fourth year, the program has distributed more than $140 million in grants to 14,000 small businesses nationwide.
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CHAMBER'S STANDARDS OF CONDUCT & BUSINESS ETHICS | |
REMINDER! Upon joining the Chamber, all members agree to abide by the Chamber's Standards of Conduct & Business Ethics. We encourage all of our members to review the Standards of Conduct & Business Ethics here. | |
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YOU'RE INVITED!
Houston Business Action to End HIV Inaugural Convening
Wednesday, September 25th | 12-2PM
Registration and lunch begin at 11:30 am
Hilton Garden Inn/Home 2 Suites Houston Medical Center
6840 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77030
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U.S. Business Action to End HIV, an initiative of the Health Action Alliance, is launching its second local coalition to engage the private sector in responding to the unique needs of the Houston epidemic. The Houston Chapter is locally managed by the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.
We are inviting influential Houston business leaders (whether small business or major employer) who are committed to the health of their workforce and community to learn how your company can help contribute to the end of HIV in Houston. JOIN US!
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Please register by Wednesday, September 18 at noon. | |
HUGE congratulations to our very own Ryan Wilson. He is one of the newest fellows for Leadership Houston, Class XLIII. These community leaders will dive into the 10-month Signature Program, exploring Houston's neighborhoods and enhancing their civic leadership skills. We are so proud of Ryan! | | |
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Congratulations to Nathan Hejl (he/him), with Chamber Pivotal Investor Impact Partner, Sysco. He has been named Lead of the U.S. National Chapter of Sysco’s Spectrum LGBTQ+ and Allies Colleague Resource Group (CRG). This CRG represents the LGBTQ+ and allied community of Sysco’s 50,000+ U.S.-based colleagues. As an out-and-proud colleague he is committed to "continuing to demonstrate Sysco’s core value of being Committed to Inclusion."
In June, Spectrum was named 2024 Pride In Business Employee Resource Group of the Year Honoree by the Chamber. Check out the award acceptance video here.
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Congratulations to Chamber Impact Partner Wells Fargo Pride Employee Resource Network on being named winner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) LGBTQ Business Group Challenge. The group was recognized for their efforts to drive supplier diversity and make a difference within the company and the communities they serve. | |
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Join us in welcoming His Majesty's Consul General Sujeevan Satheesan to the British Consulate Houston. We look forward to working with Consul General Satheesan. We are proud to call the British Consulate Houston one of our International Partners. | |
Congrats are in order for Seante Johnson, Founder of nonprofit member Birthday Bash Box as she has been selected for the Distinguished Young Alumni Award at the Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston. Way to go Seante! |
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Congratulations to our Co-Founder, President & CEO, Tammi Wallace! She recently received the Katy Caldwell Humanitarian Award from the UH LGBTQ Alumni Association! 👏🏻 | |
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Do you have good news to share?
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.
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As part of our partnership with Sesh Coworking, we are proud to highlight them as a Featured Member. Sesh is one of our President's Circle Members. | |
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As a valued member of the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, members receive a complimentary day pass each month for workspace use! Additionally, take advantage of discounted rates on booking our premium conference rooms, event spaces, and more.
Contact Sesh at hello@seshcoworking.com to schedule your personalized tour and unlock these exceptional offerings! Sesh is your #1 office sidekick!
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CATALYST INVESTOR IMPACT PARTNER | |
THANK YOU RENEWING IMPACT PARTNERS AND CHAMBER MEMBERS | |
Chamber Leadership joined Fort Bend County Pride for a “Community Conversation” roundtable discussion. The event was an opportunity for neighbors to share ideas and discuss important topics affecting the LGBTQ+ community. We are proud to call Fort Bend County Pride one of our members and support Fort Bend County! | | |
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The Chamber team had a blast at the inaugural Fort Bend County Pride Festival and enjoyed connecting with our members and the community! | |
We participated in a workshop hosted by Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Houston Branch. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, otherwise known as FinCEN, has been holding a variety of presentations regarding the Corporate Transparency Act, which requires many companies doing business in the United States to report information about the individuals who ultimately own or control them. For more information, go to www.fincen.gov.boi | |
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Thank you to Chamber Impact Partner Comcast for inviting us to attend the Digital Equity Symposium, discussing public, private, and non-profit strategies to address the digital divide in our communities and expand broadband access to all Houstonians. | |
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Congratulations to the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) on 40 Years! We are honored to be a longtime partner with OBO and to receive recognition from OBO for our contributions and dedication to OBO and to help in their success.
Thank you to Interim Director Holryd, the OBO team and Advisory Board for your commitment and dedication to lift up ALL businesses in the City of Houston.
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Thank you to Verizon, who is one of our newest Impact Partners, for inviting the Chamber to be a part of today’s Small Business Lunch and Learn. The Chamber is proud to collaborate with Verizon and the NGLCC on the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready (VSBDR) Program: a free online curriculum designed to give small businesses the tools needed to thrive in today's digital economy. | |
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NOT A CHAMBER MEMBER? JOIN TODAY!
It’s a great time to be part of our growing and thriving Chamber community. The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce is the leading regional advocate for the economic and civic interests of the LGBTQ+ business community. Whether you're an LGBTQ+ or Allied-owned business, a large company, or a professional or young professional you can get involved with us. Chamber membership is comprised of a wide array of entrepreneurs, executives, small businesses, and Fortune 500 firms. Learn more about membership benefits and levels.
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Stay up to date on the latest happenings Follow the Chamber on social media!
Also, check out the Facebook and LinkedIn Member Groups where member can post information about their organizations. Are you a new Chamber Member? Post up an intro video and let us know about you and your member business or organization!
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ADP | Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas | |
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Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
www.houstonlgbtqchamber.com
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