Members and Supporters, You’ve heard it before…time flies! Can you believe the Chamber is celebrating its 5 year milestone anniversary…TODAY? That’s right…five years ago today, we officially launched the Chamber and held a launch event as part of the “LGBT Business Builders” event sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). Other collaborating partners for the event included Houston Community College and OutSmart Magazine. What a ride it’s been! I am incredibly proud to be one of the Chamber Co-Founders along with Gary Wood. When Gary and I launched the Chamber, we wanted to ensure that the LGBTQ+ Business Community has a strong voice and access to economic opportunity.   We knew that it not only was important but crucial to make sure the LGBTQ community was represented when it comes to economic development and economic inclusion. With our work since the launch of the Chamber, we have created a ‘seat at the table’ for the LGBTQ+ Business Community. The Chamber has become the leading voice locally and regionally and through our statewide collaboration with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce.   With these accomplishments and more, it’s such a collective effort on many fronts. Through the initial support of our Inaugural Corporate Partners, Founding and Inaugural Members and our Founding Leadership Council and past and present Board Members to our entire membership, Executive Administrators and our volunteers who have been part of this amazing journey to our 5 year celebration, we are incredibly grateful to you. This milestone celebration would not be possible without you and we are thankful for your dedication, giving of your talent and treasure, and for being a key part of the Chamber’s success since 2016. The Chamber has grown tremendously since its launch in 2016. Major accomplishments and contributions to the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community, and community as a whole, include: Tremendous growth through an increase in the number of members every year since the launch of the organization Increasing the number of LGBTBE® Certified businesses in the region and state Offering and increasing programming and events annually to connect LGBTQ+ and Allied entrepreneurs Collaborating with other economic development organizations including LGBTQ+ chambers across the State of Texas as well as local and international partners Advocating to ensure the LGBTQ+ business community has a strong voice locally, regionally and statewide Creating economic opportunities for its members Recognition as the leading voice for the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ business community

When we launched the Chamber…we never could’ve imagined that within five years, the organization would experience major events such as Hurricane Harvey, a pandemic and now a devastating winter storm. Not to mention losing water all over the City on the date of our 4-year anniversary celebration! Through it all, we’ve stayed the course, maintained our commitment to the Chamber’s mission, grown year after year and created connection and an incredible Chamber community. The work we are doing is critically important for our members and the LGBTQ community as a whole. Yet, there is so much work to do to make sure the LGBTQ community is represented when it comes to economic development and economic inclusion. With these and more accomplishments since 2016, the Chamber leadership recognizes the LGBTQ community is woefully behind when it comes economic opportunity, and through the work of the Chamber and newly formed Chamber Foundation, the organizations will spearhead crucial initiatives in the years ahead to bring visibility and collaborative solutions to address the economic needs of the LGBTQ community. And, we are just getting started! For now, and throughout 2021, we will celebrate this milestone year including highlighting our Inaugural Members, Founding Members and Inaugural Corporate Partners. We’ll capture this historical milestone on the Chamber’s 5 Year Anniversary Page. Keep checking back for more updates on the page throughout 2021. Thank you for being part of this journey over the past 5 years and for your support of the LGBTQ+ and Allied Business Community. Onward,

Tammi Wallace Co-Founder and President & CEO p.s. Do you have a testimonial to share about how the Chamber has impacted you/your business? We would love to highlight your testimonial as part of our 5 Year Celebration this year. Please submit your testimonial here.

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Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce | 832-510-3002 | info@houstonlgbtchamber.com | houstonlgbtchamber.com

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