Volume 42 | May 28, 2021

Members and Supporters,

Is it true that April showers bring May flowers? It’s great to see so much “springing” back from the Texas Freeze! It’s unbelievable that we are putting a wrap on May (is that even possible?!)? It’s been another busy month with various events, networking and more.

Of course if it’s May then it means that Pride Month is just around the corner! As we get ready for Pride Month, we are preparing for the virtual Pride In Business celebration on June 24, to celebrate Pride Month, the Chamber’s 5 Year Anniversary as well as the launch of the Pride In Business Awards. Did you see the announcement about our Pride In Business Emcee? We are thrilled to have Melanie Lawson, Anchor with ABC-13, as our emcee for the event. 

Read further to learn to check out upcoming virtual and in-person events including the new First Friday Meet & Eat. We are working on more in-person events for the rest of the year but will also look at a mix of virtual events as well. As the “Greater” Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, we recognize some members may not be able to participate in-person plus some members have shared that they prefer virtual over in-person…and others not so much! Our goal is to continue both formats to support our members.  

Since virtual events will be part of the new norm for most organizations, those who engage via a virtual format will be well prepared and take advantage of this new norm in our world both personally and from a business perspective. If you haven’t joined us for a virtual event on the Airmeet platform, you’re missing out! The platform allows you to control your networking experience. It’s definitely not Zoom!  :)

It’s an amazing time to join the Chamber! It’s a terrific time to get LGBTBE® Certified too. As a reminder, your certification fee is waived if you’re a member of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Join the Chamber today and plug into one of the most active chambers in the region!

With Pride,
Tammi Wallace
Co-Founder and President & CEO
p.s. Don't forget to join the Member Facebook Group where you can share more about your member business, stay updated on Chamber events and more. Join here.
Pride In Business is less than a month away! This Chamber Signature Event is a great opportunity to promote your business during PRIDE month and with the LGBTQ+ & Allied business community. The Pride In Business celebration is the only event in Houston focused on the LGBTQ+ business community during PRIDE month. Read more about the event and sponsor opportunities at https://www.houstonlgbtchamber.com/2021pib/.
June is always a busy month for the Chamber! Check out some of these upcoming Pride Month events and register today!

Other Upcoming Events
We have some great upcoming events over the next few months including in-person opportunities!


Check out the events calendar for more events coming up!

Did you know that most Chamber virtual events are hosted on Airmeet? With the Airmeet platform, it’s a very different virtual experience. If you haven’t checked out a Chamber event lately, we encourage you to do so and see how you can control your experience via Airmeet. Most of our events are virtually via Airmeet.

Guests are ALWAYS welcome at Chamber events! Contact the Chamber Office at 832-510-3002 or info@houstonlgbtchamber.com for complimentary registration.
ARE YOU MAXIMIZING THE CHAMBER NETWORKING CAFE?
This event is informal and allows members to connect virtually via Airmeet. We have some great success stories from members who have connected at the Chamber Networking Cafe (CNC). We even have one member participating from New York City! The power of virtual events to connect! No program…it’s just pure networking and you control your networking experience via Airmeet. Drop in at the June Chamber Networking Café on Thursday, June 17 from 3-4 pm.

Did you know you can use the CNC to schedule one-on-one with other members? Invite 2-3 members to connect at the CNC next month and grab a one-on-one table to connect!
APRIL EVENTS RECAP
Thank you to Chamber Member, J Flowers Health Institute, and Dr. James Flowers for sponsoring Brewing Up Business on April 14. Click here to learn more about J Flowers Health Institute.
Along with Gold Level Corporate Partner the Houston Rockets, we hosted a virtual event focused on LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Sports + Workplace on April 14. Thank you to our panelists from the LGBTQ+ community who shared their experiences of working in the sports industry. Later that night, we partnered with the Rockets for their first Pride Night!
The Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce hosted their second LGBTBE® Roundtable of the year on April 20. The program focused on building a dynamic capabilities statement and included speakers from Bank of America, Bexar County, Chevron, OutBranding Promos (Certified LGBTBE), Pendergast Consulting Group and PepsiCo.
We closed out the month with our Biz Connect Mixer on April 29, sponsored by Inaugural Chamber Member, Legacy Community Health. Click here to learn more about Legacy. Thank you to Legacy for your support of the Chamber!
WELCOME NEW CORPORATE PARTNERS!
BRONZE CORPORATE PARTNERS
Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages manufactures, markets and distributes beverages of The Coca-Cola Company for markets across Texas and in parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas. They encourage an entrepreneurial mindset in our talented and diverse team of more than 8,000 associates who operate 7 production plants and 37 sales and distribution facilities, serving more than 31 million consumers. Social responsibility and community-mindedness are among their foundational values. They emphasize sustainability in our operational practices, volunteerism among their people, and giving back as a company to the communities that help their business thrive.
H‑E‑B began with one store in 1905, nestled in Kerrville in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. They have always believed in the value of hard work and the importance of taking care of people. What makes H-E-B truly stand out is their commitment to public service in the communities they serve. Known as the H-E-B Spirit of Giving, this philosophy is an integral part of everyday business at H-E-B. Each year, H-E-B donates five percent of pre-tax annual earnings to charitable organizations that focus on hunger relief, education, health, environmental sustainability and diversity initiatives. It's their way of saying thank you for allowing them to be your neighbor.
JSX is a hop-on jet service that’s faster on the ground, more comfortable in the air, and competitively priced with flights starting from $99 each way. JSX provides Customers with a line-free, crowd-free travel experience that begins in their private airport terminals. JSX is committed to championing equality, diversity, and inclusion in the community. As an air carrier, JSX connects loved ones, colleagues, and businesses everywhere it works and serves, and is not just nondiscriminatory, but highly and intentionally inclusive.
RENEWING CORPORATE PARTNERS!
Thank you to our Gold Corporate Partner Fertitta Entertainment: Landry's | Golden Nugget Casinos | Houston Rockets and Bronze Corporate Partners Shell Oil Company and SignatureCare Emergency Center who renewed their investment. We appreciate your long-time support of the Chamber!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
The Chamber continues to grow! Welcome to our newest members.   
Business Premium Level Members
Business Plus Level Members
Business Connect Level Members
HAPPY CHAMBERVERSARY!
The following members are celebrating their Chamber Anniversary. We appreciate your continued support of the Chamber!
Business Premium Level Members
Business Connect Level Members
Shane Theriot
Patrick Torma
MILESTONE 5TH ANNIVERSARY!
As the Chamber celebrates its 5 year anniversary this year, we are highlighting this milestone celebration throughout 2021 as well as our Inaugural and Founding Members and Corporate Partners throughout the year. Click here to view the Anniversary Page we have setup to capture the year of celebration including photos, accomplishments, proclamations and more.

Thank you to Judge Lina Hidalgo for proclamation recognizing the Chamber’s 5 Year Anniversary!
In 2021, we are highlighting our amazing Inaugural Corporate Partners, Inaugural Members and Founding Members. Thank you for your support over the past 5 Years!  
Thank you to Comcast for being one of our Inaugural Corporate Partners. Learn more about Comcast.
Thank you to Murphy Business Sales for being a Chamber Founding Member. Learn more about Murphy Business Sales.
Thank you to Accendeo, LLC for being an Inaugural Business Member and LGBTBE® Certified Business. Learn more about Accendeo, LLC.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST
LGBTBE® CERTIFIED MEMBERS
Congratulations to DA Mid South and Newbart Products who have received their LGBTBE® certification!
Ready to get your biz LGBTBE® certified? Learn more via the Chamber's LGBTBE® Resource Page.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
Congratulations to Mad Hat Maven on their 2…yes 2! Hermes Creative Awards for social media and strategic communications.
Check out the recent Chamber Chat blog post with Charlotte Petrey owner of Chamber Member, You Lucky Dog. You’re gonna love these photos!  
HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL AND CHAMBER
NEW PARTNERSHIP!
The Chamber is proud to partner with the Houston Business Journal on an 8-page special section, "Business of Pride" which will run on June 25, 2021, and will be distributed to over 1 million readers in celebration of Pride Month. The Business of Pride special section will focus on Pride Month, the Chamber's 5 Year Anniversary, inaugural members, Pride In Business Award Honorees and more. 

As part of the Chamber's partnership with HBJ, your company can take advantage of the special one-time rate for first-time, non-contracted advertisers for the Business of Pride special section. For details on details on advertising in this special section, contact Rob Cravaritis, Head of Sales, at 713-395-9618 or RCravaritis@bizjournals.com.  
We are highlighting LGBTQ owned member businesses during Pride Month. Do you have a special offering for Pride Month? Let us know by emailing info@houstonlgbtchamber.com and we may feature your biz during June!
MEMBER ORIENTATION
Did you miss the last Chamber Member Orientation this month? We’ve got you covered! Check out the recording and learn more about maximizing your membership.
GOLD CORPORATE PARTNERS
SILVER CORPORATE PARTNERS
BRONZE CORPORATE PARTNERS
CORPORATE PARTNERS
FOUNDING MEMBERS
PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE MEMBERS
Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce | 832-510-3002 | info@houstonlgbtchamber.com | houstonlgbtchamber.com