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Dear Greater Houston LGBTQ,
What an incredible month it has been for the Chamber! From vibrant celebrations to remarkable accomplishments within our community, October truly showcased the power and impact of our members and partners.
This month, as we celebrate some of the amazing achievements from across our membership — we’re so proud of their success and grateful to have them in our Chamber family! It’s inspiring to see the impact our members and partners are making every day in their fields and for the LGBTQ+ community.
One of the highlights this month was our inaugural Elected Officials Reception, which was an overwhelming success, and we’re thrilled to see the strong support for our work in bridging relationships with our elected representatives. Thanks to all who joined us for this landmark event — we look forward to building on this success in the years ahead.
October also brought us to five Pride events throughout the region. It was wonderful to be out celebrating with communities across the region, strengthening connections and showcasing our community’s pride and resilience. Thank you to everyone who helped represent the Chamber at these events!
As we close out LGBTQ+ History Month, let’s take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made together and the work still ahead. Our Chamber’s success and growth are part of the legacy built by countless advocates who fought for the inclusion and acceptance we see today. We honor their contributions and recommit ourselves to advancing equality in every facet of our work.
Finally, as we are nearing election day, let’s make our voices heard! Early voting is already underway, and Election Day is just around the corner. I encourage each of you to participate in our Get OUT the VOTE campaign — every vote counts, and together we can shape a future that supports and empowers our community.
Thank you for your continued support, engagement, and dedication to the Chamber and our mission. Here’s to even more success as we look forward to the months ahead!
With gratitude,
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Tammi Wallace (she/her/hers)
Co-Founder and President & CEO
Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
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LGBTQ+ Workplace Alliance Happy Hour
It was a successful happy hour bringing together our Impact Partners from across the region for networking and connection. Thank you to Chamber Member, Pearl Bar, for hosting.
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First Friday Meet & Eat
Thank you to one of our newest members, Weights & Measures, for hosting the First Friday Meet & Eat. We had a create turnout and tons of connections were made!
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Elected Officials Reception
Earlier this month, we hosted a successful inaugural Elected Officials Reception. This gathering brought together members, community leaders and elected officials from across the region. The event created a unique opportunity for Chamber members to connect directly with elected officials. The event fostered meaningful conversations and connections.
We look forward to building on this momentum and making the reception an annual highlight that strengthens connections between the Chamber, our members, and our dedicated public servants.
A huge thank you to our generous sponsors for their support including:
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The Chamber is incredibly grateful to Cindy Clifford, with The Clifford Group, for spearheading this wonderful event with Dr. Lucky Chopra and 51fifteen.
Check out all of the photos here.
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3rd Thursday Breakfast
It was another fantastic 3rd Thursday Breakfast with our special guests, HPD Chief Noe Diaz and HFD Chief Thomas Muñoz. Thank you to our sponsor, Horizon Advisory Group for your support.
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Drag Bingo
Drag Bingo was a blast at Eureka Heights. Featured member tables with Pizza Birra Vino, Hopes for Healing, McHugh Tea Room & Gifts, and Native Citizen. Thank you to Dessie Love-Blake for your bingo host fabulousness!
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BE A PART OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS!
The Chamber calendar is regularly updated, so bookmark it! 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.
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HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR LGBTQ+ YOUTH. | |
SPONSOR THE CHAMBER HOLIDAY FOOD & SUPPLY DRIVE! | |
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Can you help us make a difference for LGBTQ+ youth by sponsoring the annual Chamber Holiday Food & Supply Drive? This annual event makes an impact, but it doesn't happen without the generosity of our sponsors.
Sponsors are needed to support the Chamber Holiday Food & Supply Drive. Your sponsorship makes a difference! Help us make a difference for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth. Sponsor the fifth annual Chamber Holiday Food & Supply Drive!
Sponsorships and donations will help fill the supplies and food needs at Tony’s Place, a resource center and community space focusing on LGBTQ+ youth who are in need of help with safe housing, queer health services, educational support, and more.
At the Chamber, the Holiday Food & Supply Drive is about community and giving back. Together, we are bringing business and community together to support LGBTQ+ youth this holiday season. Give with Pride and help us make a difference for our kids!
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Small Biz Insights Monthly Newsletter Launches | |
We officially launched our Small Biz Insights monthly newsletter to keep our small business members and key stakeholders updated on various opportunities, information and resources focused on small businesses. If you missed the inaugural issue, check it out here. | |
CHAMBER PARTNERS WITH GRSM TO EMPOWER SMALL BUSINESSES | |
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We are thrilled to announce a new impact partnership between the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP (GRSM), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking a half-century of dedication to legal innovation and client service. Founded in 1974 by Stuart Gordon and Donald Rees, GRSM has become a leading innovator in the legal services industry, achieving the historic milestone in 2019 of becoming the first and only law firm with offices and attorneys in all 50 states.
This collaboration will support the Chamber’s ongoing mission to empower and uplift small businesses within the LGBTQ+ and allied communities. As part of this partnership, we’re excited to introduce In the Know: Legal Essentials for Small Business, a dynamic workshop series designed to help business owners navigate critical legal aspects essential for success.
Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or an established business looking to grow, this series offers actionable insights and guidance on key legal topics critical to running a small business.
These workshops will be led by expert attorneys from GRSM, who bring years of experience advising businesses of all sizes. Participants will leave each session armed with knowledge and resources.
This partnership reflects our shared commitment to fostering a thriving, resilient LGBTQ+ and Allied business community, where entrepreneurs have the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. We’re proud to partner with GRSM to bring this crucial legal expertise to our members.
We are kicking off this series this fall, with three more sessions planned for 2025.
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REGISTER for the First Workshop: Employee Issues Keeping You Up at Night?
Make your plans to join us for our first workshop in this learning series on November 12th titled "Employee Issues Keeping You Up at Night?". The first workshop will cover how employment laws impact your business or organization and taking the right steps to protect both your employees and your business.
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Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your legal know-how and protect your business or organization. Register now to secure your spot!
Thank you to GRSM for your support and commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
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Congratulations to Stephen Miranda (he/him), our incoming Chamber Board Chair, who recently was appointed to the Harris County Opportunity Fund Loan Review Committee, supporting the Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity.
Recently, the Harris County Opportunity Fund Program launched to support small businesses. This fund is a revolving loan program, made available by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), to provide low-interest capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
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Congratulations to Rachel Bickham, CDT with Chamber Member Bickam Services Unlimited on being named a mentor for the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women (OMBW): Black in Business Program! | |
Congratulations to Clay Allen, General Counsel with Chamber Cornerstone Investor Impact Partner Houston Rockets, on being named #11 on the Outsports Power 100 list of LGBT people in American sports. | |
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The National Association for Catering and Events recently awarded their 2024 Danny Kallen Networker of the Year Award to Kristan Williams with Chamber Member Imagen Venues. Congratulations Kristan! | |
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OUTstanding achievement! Many congratulations to Avery Belyeu, CEO, with inaugural member, the Montrose Center, who was named to OUT MAGAZINE's Out100 list this year! The Out100 list spotlights a selection of the “most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people” each year.
As Avery shared, "I’ve perused this list each year since I was a young queer person. I’m thinking about my young queer self, trying to my best to find my way, and doing what I could to survive from day to day. I wish my young gay boy self could see me now - no longer just surviving- but thriving in authenticity, leading, and co-creating queer brilliance in community. I’m so very grateful."
Congratulations, Avery on this remarkable recognition!
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Congratulations to Khaliah Guillory with Chamber member Nap Bar on winning one of the top spots in the SCORE Mentors Houston Final small business pitch competition.
These competitions are an avenue for small business owners to showcase their presentation and selling skills to industry experts, win funding and gain valuable knowledge and mentorship, all at no cost.
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Congratulations to Chamber Member, Dessert Gallery! They were recently recognized by the BBB as a 2024 Pinnacle Winner. | |
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We are giving a shout out to Chamber Member, Gonzalez Olivieri LLC! Recently they were recognized as a BBB 2024 Winner of Distinction by the BBB. Way to go!
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Congratulations to Dr. Roy Rivera, Jr., with Chamber Member Elation Physical Therapy. The company recently received the Minority Business Development Agency (MDBA) Minority Health Products and Services Firm of the Year Award. The award is presented to a minority-owned firm that has improved the quality and delivery of healthcare through innovation. | |
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. | |
GAYEST & GREATEST 2024 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS | |
Congratulations to Chamber Members who were recognized as winners or finalists of the 2024 OutSmart Magazine Readers' Choice Awards including our Co-Founder, President & CEO, Tammi Wallace, who was a 3-category winner. | |
Check out the articles in October issue of OutSmart that highlight Chamber members and leaders who were winners this year. | |
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This month, our Featured Member is the Dalton DeHart Photographic Foundation. The vision of Foundation is to connect people through the passion with which he has photographed the life and culture of the Montrose neighborhood and Houston, Texas.
This site currently has 310,919 original photos taken by Dalton spanning from 1990 to 2024, with more being digitized from the archive all the time.
Did you know that Dalton has been our Chamber Photography Sponsor since we launched? That's right! Dalton has pretty much covered every event that the Chamber has hosted since 2016. We are grateful to Dalton for his longtime partnership!
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CATALYST INVESTOR IMPACT PARTNERS | |
THANK YOU RENEWING IMPACT PARTNERS AND CHAMBER MEMBERS | | |
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Chamber Leadership joined our partner, the BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas, for their annual Awards for Excellence luncheon. The event recognizes various businesses and nonprofits and their commitment to ethics and excellence. Congratulations to our members who were recognized at the event! | |
The Chamber, along with The Woodlands Pride, was a proud sponsor of the Transgender Unity Banquet, the largest Transgender Community event held in Houston. The Banquet raises money for scholarships, Houston Pride activities, Houston DOR, annual recognition awards and small grants. | |
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The Chamber team was ‘Out for Good’ on October 5 in support of the Montrose Center at their record breaking 2024 gala, raising funds for their important work in our community. The Chamber is proud to have the Montrose Center as one of our inaugural members and we celebrate their impact in Houston! Thank you to Amegy Bank and Nancy Sims LLC for hosting us at their tables! | |
Chamber Leadership attended the BBB Pinnacle Awards Luncheon and was proud to congratulate multiple award-winning Chamber members. | |
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Congratulations to Chamber Co-Founder, President & CEO, Tammi Wallace, on winning the Philanthropic Female Award at the 2024 Latino Learning Center Humanitarian Awards Luncheon on October 9. This event recognized "angels without wings around us who, on their daily agenda, create a positive impact in the life of others." | |
Chamber Leadership had a great time at hOUsTon Industry Mixer earlier this month. It was wonderful to connect with some of our Impact Partner's and members. | |
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Jack Berger, the Chamber’s director of programs & events attended the Houston Dynamo & Houston Dash’s “Growing the Game 2026 and Beyond” in conjunction with the 2026 World Cup Houston Host Committee this morning at the team’s headquarters.
SJ Luedtke, Dynamo/Dash Chief Marketing Officer, led the panel consisting of Team Owners Ted Segal, Tim Howard, and Chris Canetti, president of the 2026 Host Committee. (Left to right)
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Jack and new team owner Tim Howard, NBC Sports Soccer commentator and 3-time U.S. Men’s National Team World Cup goalkeeper. | |
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Curve Magazine Archive Celebration at Chamber Member Pearl Bar on Sunday, October 13.
Airbnb, Chamber Impact Partner, also sponsored the event along with the University of Houston Libraries.
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Chamber Leadership attended the State of Downtown Luncheon today with keynote speaker General Stan McChrystal. Thank to Chamber Partner IKE/OBM for hosting us!
It’s an exciting time for all the upcoming projects and growth in Downtown HOU! Congratulations to Kris Larsen and the Downtown Houston+ Team on a successful event.
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Thank you to Amegy Bank's LGBTQ+ BRG & Allies for hosting Chamber staff, board members and members for lunch today at Amegy Tower. The Chamber is grateful to our inaugural Impact Partner for our 8+ year partnership and Amegy’s commitment to inclusion. | |
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On the Road in October Celebrating
PRIDE & COMMUNITY!
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Chamber Leadership and Team attended not one but two Pride festivals on October 12. Our team had a great time at the first-ever OUToberfest Brazos Valley Pride Festival in Downtown Bryan! | |
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Our second Pride festival on October 12 was The Woodlands Pride. We had a great time seeing so many Chamber members. | |
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We had a great time at the Katy Pride Celebration on October 19 celebrating pride and the LGBTQ+ community and visiting with our members. Also, a huge THANK YOU to our volunteers who helped promote the Chamber at our booth. | |
Big shout out and thank you to our volunteers and members who came out to support us at the 3rd Coast Pride Fest and parade today in Galveston, especially Chamber Member Jill Maxwell for driving us in the parade in your fun Jeep! | |
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We had a wonderful time hosting Families with Pride with Council Member Abbie Kamin. We loved seeing so many of our members and partners attending and sponsoring.
It was pure joy to celebrate and uplift our families in such an inclusive space. Our community is incredibly diverse, and events like this are vital in creating the visibility, acceptance, and understanding that help our families thrive.
Thank you to Council Member Kamin for your leadership and always standing with the LGBTQ+ community. We appreciate the collaboration with Discovery Green and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events along with the many sponsors.
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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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