Members and Supporters,
With April in the rearview mirror, and now, here we are at the middle of May, we all continue to experience so much during this challenging time. The Chamber is working to keep you connected by bringing you online networking, educational opportunities through webinars and continual updates on COVID-19. We will continue to bring you the latest information and resources to support our members.
Speaking of connection, we will be rolling out a webinar on May 20 in collaboration with the Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce. This webinar,
How To Get LGBTBE® Certified
, will include presenters from the
NGLCC
and our corporate partner,
Shell Oil Company
. We had planned to hold this workshop in person last month but…! Online it is and now we have opened up the opportunity to collaborate with other LGBT chambers across the state. Have you been wanting to learn more about getting LGBTBE® certified? Then you’ll want to attend this webinar!
The collaboration with the
Texas LGBT Chambers of Commerce
will continue through June to celebrate Pride and to connect our members statewide. Keep an eye out for announcements.
The
Member Facebook Group
has grown tremendous since we launched it in early March. If you are a member, you can request access. The Member Facebook Group is a great way to share more about your business. Do you have a special offer for members or want to share a resource that’s been helpful? Or just want to say hello. Post up!
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Tammi Wallace
Co-Founder & Board Chair
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Congratulations to Newly Appointed OBO Director,
Marsha Murray
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We extend our congratulations to Director
Marsha Murray
! Mayor Turner has appointed Marsha Murray as the
Office of Business Opportunity
(OBO)
Director. She was confirmed in late April by Houston City Council and has filled the role as Interim Director since September 2019. Director Murray previously serviced as Deputy Director of OBO from 2012-2019.
We look forward to working with Director Murray to engage the LGBTQ & Allied Business Community through OBO programming and other resources.
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The
Office of Business Opportunity
is committed to cultivating a competitive and diverse economic environment in the City of Houston by promoting the success of small businesses and developing Houston’s workforce, with special emphasis on historically underutilized businesses.
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Complete the 2020 Census!
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The 2020 Census is underway! Complete the census & ensure our community gets the money, resources, and representation that it needs today!
Did you know that Census figures help allocate federal dollars for infrastructure, public health, and education? In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Census Bureau has extended the window for field data collection and self-response to October 31, 2020. If you have five minutes, you have time to fill out the census.
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REGISTER FOR THESE UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Due to COVID-19, the Chamber has moved all events for May and June to an online format.
Do you have an
electronic or virtual door prize
that the Chamber can give away at an upcoming event? To thank you for your generosity, we'll highlight your business as our Door Prize Sponsor.
This is a great way to highlight your member business and support the Chamber!
Please email
info@houstonlgbtchamber.com
to let us know you have a door prize(s). We will have trivia questions or other activities during the events for attendees to win the door prizes! Sponsors are responsible for getting door prize to the winners.
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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Well…April was a lot different than we originally had planned but we made it work! With our pivot to hold events online, we rolled out plenty of educational opportunities and networking with more planned going forward.
We held our first Chamber Connect Virtual Networking in April and had a great turnout and interaction with members and guests. Join us every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. for Chamber Connect. Check the
events calendar
for registration information.
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The Chamber hosted five informative and timely webinars that covered topics such as employer relief amid the pandemic, how to create a holographic will, communicating during a crisis, dealing with commercial leases, and maintaining the strength and value of your business during a crisis. Thank you to Chamber members
Thomas Lopez
with
EconomiWorks
;
Mitchell Avila Katine
with
Katine, Nechman, McLaurin LLP
;
Lance Gilliam
with
Waterman Steele Real Estate Advisors
; and
Mike Holloman
with
Murphy Business Sales
as well as
Michael Gutierrez
with Workforce Solutions and
Elizabeth Johnson
with Hanszen Laporte
for sharing your expertise.
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Check the
events calendar
for registration information for upcoming webinars and networking events.
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CHAMBER CORPORATE PARTNERS RECOGNIZED ON 2020 TOP 50 COMPANIES FOR DIVERSITY LIST
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Our corporate partners,
Comcast, Dow
and
United
earned spots on the 2020
DiversityInc
Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. The Diversity List recognizes “Hall of Fame” companies for their continued commitment to inclusion and diversity. Silver Level Corporate Partner, Comcast, is ranked #7 on the list.
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THANK YOU RENEWING CORPORATE PARTNERS
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Thank you to our generous Corporate Partners who have renewed their support and investment in the Chamber!
BRONZE LEVEL
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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 Plus Level Members
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 Premium
Business Connect
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FEATURED MEMBER HIGHLIGHT - PREMIER WIRELESS
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Premier Wireless, a leader in Mobile Technology, provides cost effective solutions designed to increase your company’s profitability leveraging cell phones, tablets, GPS, push-to-talk & more.
Thank you to
Lea Bogle
and her team at
Premier Wireless Business Technology Solutions
for your support of the Chamber and the LGBTQ & Allied Business Community!
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Have you checked out the recent Chamber Chat Blog posts? We continue to highlight our members, post recent weekly COVID-19 updates and more. Check out the blog
here
.
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Check out the
Chamber Chat
with Inaugural Member and LGBTBE® certified business,
Michael’s Cookie Jar
. Michael shares his “secret sauce” that he uses to separate Michael’s Cookie Jar from the competition.
Learn more about what’s ahead in the next 3-5 years and about how Michael’s Cookie Jar was involved with Super Bowl LI as part of the NFL’s Business Connect program, where he was able to secure business as an LGBTBE® certified business.
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Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Fall Cohort 2020 – Application Open Through June 4
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HCC will hold a Fall Cohort for the
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business
program. The application is open until June 4, to allow for more candidates to apply for a larger fall class.
Click here
for more information. There is no cost to the business owner if accepted into the program.
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Member Benefit – Chamber Member Badge
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Chamber members can utilize the Chamber Member Badge on your business website as well as in promotional and marketing materials. Utilizing the Chamber Member Badge sends a message that you are an LGBTQ inclusive company!
Members receive a link to the Chamber Member Badge in your onboarding welcome email. If you are a member and need access to the badge, please login and access the Member Info Hub or email the Chamber Office at
info@houstonlgbtchamber.com
.
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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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