Members and Supporters,
It’s hard to believe we are over the six month mark for 2020. As we look forward for the remainder of 2020, we know it continues to be challenging with the impacts of the pandemic and the world we are now living in. The Chamber is committed, more than ever, to supporting our members and helping you through this difficult time.
This month we are thrilled to highlight some of our members doing great work or in the news such as
Tirey Counts
, with
Apartment World
, who has generously underwritten a Chamber membership for another member or
Harold’s in the Heights
, who delivered 165 boxed lunches to Chamber member,
Legacy Community Health
. These stories of members helping members are exactly what the Chamber is about…supporting each other.
Speaking of support…thank you for your continued support of the Chamber during this time. We run the Chamber on 100% dues, sponsorships and events. Unfortunately, we were unable to hold our Pride in Business Luncheon in June, our biggest Chamber fundraiser of the year, and many other in-person events.
The support of our members and corporate partners are crucially important, especially now, so we can continue to our work to support the LGBTQ & Allied business community and economic inclusion. If you are in a position to help the Chamber by underwriting a membership for another member in need, increasing your current membership level, sponsoring an upcoming online event or just making an additional donation to the Chamber, please contact me at
tammi.wallace@houstonlgbtchamber.com
. Thank you.
While we move through this challenging time, it’s a good time to focus on your business and your positioning for the future. To help you do just that…we have some great events including our upcoming virtual
Business Builder Series Workshop: 6 Steps to a Better Business
. It’s also a good time to consider applying for the LGBTBE® certification. Check out the recording of the recent
LGBTBE® workshop
and learn more.
Check out the upcoming events and join us via Zoom. We would love to “see” you online. Connection is important especially now. We are here for you!
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Tammi Wallace
Co-Founder and President & CEO
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CHAMBER CHAMPION - APARTMENT WORLD!
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Thank you to
Tirey Counts
with Chamber Member,
Apartment World
, for underwriting an annual membership for one our members whose business has been hit hard by COVID-19. We appreciate your kindness and generosity! Another great example of members helping members.
Our beneficiary member said about this generous act of kindness, “Thank you, Tirey. Your generosity has been a blessing. As the Owner of a business in The Woodlands, it's very important to me to support the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber and all the great work they are doing. Your incredible gesture has made that possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Sponsor a Chamber Membership!
If your business is doing well and you want to help one that is struggling right now, please consider "paying it forward" by sponsoring a 1-year Chamber membership renewal for another business owner. We have members who can definitely use your support to renew their chamber membership during this pandemic.
Are you in a position to help? We would love to highlight you as one of our Chamber Champions! Your support as a Chamber Champion not only supports a fellow member but the Chamber as well. Please contact the Chamber office at
info@houstonlgbtchamber.com
or 832-510-3002 to coordinate your Chamber Champion donation.
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Our
Pride Across Texas
event last month connecting LGBTQ chamber members in Austin, North Texas and San Antonio was such a success that we’re going to hold this fantastic event quarterly. We already have members doing business together across the miles! Our next Pride Across Texas event is on Thursday, August 27.
Register here.
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Can you say 165? That’s 165 boxes lunches that Chamber member Harold's delivered to
Legacy Community Health
, also a Chamber member. Yes – 165! Legacy is on the frontlines during this pandemic doing amazing work.
Thank you to
Harold’s in the Heights
for spearheading this generous ChamberCares donation! We (heart) seeing Chamber members supporting one another!
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CHAMBER SIGNS MOU WITH
CONSULATE GENERAL OF MEXICO IN HOUSTON
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We are proud to now officially call the
Consulate General of Mexico in Houston
one of our collaboration partners. Chamber Leadership participated in the “virtual” signing ceremony with
Consul General Alicia Kerber-Palma
. The event was
live streamed
on Facebook.
Read more
details about this historical collaboration.
Consul General Kerber-Palma also held a Facebook Live discussion with members of the LGBTQ community to celebrate and highlight Pride Month. Two of our Chamber members participated in the informative discussion including
Miriam Lopez
with
SeEQmore Consulting
and
Oscar Roa
with
Equitable Advisors
. Check out the live stream recording
here
.
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APPLICATIONS OPEN: HARRIS COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY FUND
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With COVID-19 continuing to affect the health and economy of our community, Harris County is stepping up to help those who are at risk of losing everything. On Monday, July 13, the $30 million Small Business Recovery Fund will begin taking applications from small business owners who are having trouble staying afloat and keeping their employees on the payroll.
The Fund will provide grants of up to $25,000 for the most vulnerable Harris County small and micro businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. The grants will help cover necessary expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, payroll costs, and other operating expenses.
Applications will be accepted beginning July 13 at 8 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. on July 24, either online at www.harriscounty-SBRFund.org or at by phone at 713-845-2476. The website also contains complete instructions and eligibility requirements.
The following documents will be needed to complete your application:
- Business tax return for 2018 or 2019
- Three months income and expenses
- Articles of incorporation, business license, or DBA certificate
- W-2 statement, pay stubs, or personal tax return
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Ilich Ramirez – What Pride Means to Me
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The Chamber recently connected Chamber member, Ilich Ramirez, with
eXp Realty
with the Houston Chronicle. The Chronicle wanted to profile someone from the LGBTQ community in Katy. Check out
“SUNDAY CONVERSATION: What it means to celebrate Pride Month in Katy.”
Ilich shares what Pride means to him including his courageous sharing of an incident when he was attacked 15 years ago. Thank you, Ilich, for sharing your story!
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Chamber Member CEOs Recognized in the Houston Business Journal!
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The Houston Business Journal released their honorees for the 2020 Most Admired CEO Awards and we have two Chamber member CEOs on list including John Boerstler, CEO of
Combined Arms
and Katy Caldwell, CEO of
Legacy Community Health
. Congratulations to John and Katy on this recognition. Read more
here
.
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Miriam Lopez - Success Expert
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Miriam Lopez with Chamber member,
SeEQmore Consulting
, was recently profiled in OutSmart Magazine. Miriam helps businesses reach their full potential at SeEQmore Consulting. Read more
here
.
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CHAMBER IN THE NEWS...PRIDE MONTH
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Check out the two articles in the Houston Business Journal during Pride Month where the Chamber is highlighted. Our Co-Founder, President & CEO, Tammi Wallace, is interviewed about the recent Supreme Court job discrimination ruling and the business changes in Montrose.
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REGISTER FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Due to COVID-19, the Chamber has moved all events for July, August and September to an online format.
While we know meeting virtually is not optimal, it does create needed connection for our membership. We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!
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It was a busy Pride Month even online! We kicked off another full month of online programming including learning opportunities and networking and held a historical event with the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce.
On June 9, the Chamber hosted an informative and timely webinar, "
Ask the Expert: Hurricane Season, Seriously?,"
presented and sponsored by
Patrick Torma,
with Chamber Member,
Goosehead Insurance
.
The Texas Diversity Equity & Inclusion Conference
hosted by our colleagues with the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce was held June 16-18.
The Chamber joined up with the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce for a collaborative webinar, "Legal Guidance for Employers and Employees During Coronavirus" on June 18 presented by
The Fowler Law Firm.
We closed out the month with celebrating
Pride Across Texas
in partnership with the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce.
Check the
events calendar
for registration information for upcoming webinars and networking events.
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PPP LOANS STILL AVAILABLE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS & AG BUSINESSES
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The U.S. Small Business Administration is encouraging small businesses, self-employed persons, independent contractors, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses economically impacted by COVID-19 to apply for a PPP loan to cover up to 24 weeks of payroll costs and certain overhead expenses.
The deadline for SBA to approve PPP applications is Saturday, August 8.
Participating PPP Lenders can be found using the SBA Lender Locator at
https://bit.ly/3e7ZiKY.
Loan forgiveness is based on the borrower maintaining or quickly rehiring employees while maintaining salaries and hours. New PPP loans have a maturity of 5 years and an interest rate of 1%. Additional information on the PPP program and other SBA emergency capital programs are available at
www.sba.gov/coronavirus
.
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The Chamber is proud to welcome our newest members who joined in recent weeks.
Thank you for supporting the Chamber and the LGBTQ & Allied Business Community!
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Business Connect Level Members
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THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERS
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Thank you to the following members who have renewed their membership. We appreciate your continued support of the Chamber!
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Business Plus
Business Connect
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PRIMARY RUN-OFF IS JULY 14 - TOMORROW
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Know Before You Go: Your personalized sample ballot is ready for you online at
HarrisVotes.com
. So, get ready to cast your vote during the July 14 Primary Run-off!
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HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE CENSUS?
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WHERE CAN I GET PPE?
Do you need PPE for your business? The Chamber members below are now offering an array of PPE options via their websites.
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Check out their products
here
. No minimums and you can order with or without company logos.
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SILVER CORPORATE PARTNERS
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BRONZE CORPORATE PARTNERS
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PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE MEMBERS
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Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce | 832-510-3002 | info@houstonlgbtchamber.com | houstonlgbtchamber.com
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