Chamber Statement on Club Q Massacre | |
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We are saddened at the tragic loss of life and at the hand of violence and likely hate. Patrons at a Club Q should have had a regular Saturday night of fun and enjoyed a night out. Instead, the city of Colorado Springs is dealing with an unspeakable tragedy and the LGBTQ+ community is forever changed due to senseless violence.
Read the full statement here and email message here.
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Fund to Support LGBTQ+ Families and Victims - Colorado Healing Fund | |
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The Colorado Healing Fund is currently activated for the Club Q Colorado Springs Tragedy that occurred on November 20, 2022. In the aftermath of mass violence, victims need immediate and long-term support. CHF provides a secure way to donate to victims of these tragedies.
The Colorado Healing Fund was founded in 2018 by a group of victim advocates and community leaders to establish a secure way for the public to contribute to victims of mass casualty crimes in Colorado. Initial funding was provided by the Colorado Attorney General's Office.
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Chamber Holiday Food Drive | |
Friday, December 2, 2022
3 Drop-Off Locations!
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Last year, the Chamber Holiday Food Drive provided 15,789 free meals to LGBTQ+ seniors at the Law Harrington Senior Living Center, an LGBTQ-affirming housing center, and other non-residents through the Montrose Center programs.
This year we again ask for your help to support these seniors and others in need. Donations will also help fill the food pantry at the Law Harrington Senior Living Center as well as the Montrose Center, which helps feed non-resident seniors.
The Chamber Foundation needs your help to make the 2022 Holiday Food Drive even MORE successful to support more LGBTQ+ Seniors and those in need this holiday season!
| Individual financial donations are accepted through the Virtual Food Drive. Donations will help support purchases of food for the holiday boxes, food pantry and Montrose Center programs to support LGBTQ+ clients in need. | Thank you to Title Sponsor and Platinum Level Corporate Partner Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. | |  |
Chamber Holiday Celebration | |
Join us for the Chamber's annual Holiday Celebration on Thursday, December 8 at Amegy Bank's beautiful Downtown tower from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. The event will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with community and celebrate the holidays.
Let's raise our glasses together as we wrap up a very successful year! We look forward to seeing our members and celebrating the holidays. Guests are always welcome!
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, wine and live entertainment.
It's always a large turnout for the Chamber Holiday Celebration so register today! Registration is free for Chamber members and $15 for guests in advance, $25 at the door.
| Live entertainment provided by Houston Ensemble Band. | Enjoy delicious appetizers from David Alcorta Catering. | Complimentary wine will be provided. | Thank you to Gold Level Corporate Partner Amegy Bank for sponsoring the Chamber Holiday Celebration and hosting the event. | Sponsor this event and get visibility for your biz and showcase your support for the LGBTQ+ community! | |
DEADLINE APPROACHING: HP Monitor Giveaway | | |
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Thanks to the generosity of Gold Level Corporate Partner HP, the Chamber will be giving away monitors to support member small businesses and nonprofits! Members must reserve a monitor in advance by Friday, December 2. Learn more here about the rules and eligibility requirements as well as how to reserve a monitor.
The monitors vary in size from 21.5” - 31.5" and will be given away during the Chamber Holiday Celebration on Thursday, December 8.
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Equality Texas Gala with Dow – Earlier this month, Ray Purser, who leads Government Affairs for the Chamber joined Corporate Partner, Dow, at the Equality Texas Gala. Thank you to Chamber Bronze Level Corporate Partner Dow for the invitation. | | |
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University of Houston Medicine School Ribbon Cutting – the Chamber joined the University of Houston for the ribbon cutting celebrating the new Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. | |
Third Annual Economic Forecast Outlook Event - the SBA and the SBDC cohosted an event with Patrick Jankowski, Chief Economist with the Greater Houston Partnership, where he presented on economic forecast for the year ahead. | |
Amegy Bank Small Business Forum – Recently, Chamber Co-Founder, President & CEO, Tammi Wallace, participate on a panel as part of the Amegy Bank Small Business Forum. The Chamber is proud to call Amegy Bank one of our Gold Level Corporate Partners. | | |
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Chamber Co-Founder, President & CEO, Tammi Wallace, had a wonderful visit with James Boswell, who is the Owner/CEO with Chamber Member Aussie Pet Mobile River Oaks. James gave a tour of one of the company’s state of the art vans. Impressive! Learn more about Aussie Pet Mobile River Oaks at https://petgroomerriveroaks.com. | |
Thank you to our newest Corporate Partners for their support of the Chamber and the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community. Welcome! | At NRG, we’re bringing the power of energy to people and organizations by putting customers at the center of everything we do. We generate electricity and provide energy solutions and natural gas to millions of customers through our diverse portfolio of retail brands. A Fortune 500 company, operating in the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative solutions while advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice, working towards a sustainable energy future. More information is available at www.nrg.com. | Foley & Lardner LLP is a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the energy, health care and life sciences, innovative technology, and manufacturing sectors. We look beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing our clients and act as trusted business advisors to deliver creative, practical, and effective solutions. Our 1,100 lawyers across 25 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements from corporate counsel to IP work and litigation support, providing our clients with a one-team solution to all their needs. For nearly two centuries, Foley has maintained its commitment to the highest level of innovative legal services and to the stewardship of our people, firm, clients, and the communities we serve. Learn more at www.foley.com. |  | |
B2G VICTORY is the ecosystem for Texas' businesses wanting to grow, build their capacity, and be successful in government contracting. Our trilateral relationship provides businesses, Prime Contractors, and Government Agencies the ability to collaborate, drive innovation, and be mutually successful. Learn more at www.b2gvictory.com/.
|  | With approximately 150 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state utilizing the firm’s global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the state’s future, including: aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports. Learn more at http://www.gtlaw.com. | Operating in more than 220 countries and territories, UPS is committed to moving our world forward by delivering what matters. Beginning as a small messenger service started by enterprising teenagers and a $100 loan, UPS and its more than 500,000 UPSers around the globe are a transportation and logistics leader, offering innovative solutions to customers, big and small. UPS understands and appreciates its responsibility to help build safer, stronger and more resilient communities founded on justice and economic opportunity for all, supported by a healthy, sustainable global environment. Learn more at www.ups.com. | | | |
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Chamber Member J. Flowers Health Institute is seeking a Psychologist (PsyD or PhD), LCSW, or LPC, dedicated to partnering in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of adolescents and adults for complex emotional and interpersonal issues, mental health and substance use issues as well as comorbid medical difficulties such as chronic pain or chronic disease processes. The successful candidates must be able to collaborate with other licensed professionals in the practice to take care of adult and pediatric patients and their families as needed. | |
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Earlier this month, the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce hosted Kate Zaykowski with McGuire Woods as part of the Pride Across Texas event to get an update on the upcoming Texas Legislative Session, which starts in January.
Watch the video:
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Stay tuned for the announcement about the Chamber’s Day at the Capitol with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce. Members are invited to join us to talk to legislators about legislation impacting the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community and overall LGBTQ+ community. | |
This holiday season you can support diverse-owned businesses! | |
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Make a donation to the Pay It Forward Fund to underwrite an annual membership for businesses in the community. The fund prioritizes minority, trans and women-owned businesses for these memberships. These are diverse-owned businesses who do not have the financial means to join the Chamber but can greatly benefit from programming, including learning opportunities to grow their business, and networking, to support their businesses.
Over the years, through the Fund, the Chamber has been able to support many diverse owned businesses, including helping businesses get LGBTBE® Certified. These diverse-owned businesses have been able to connect with the Chamber and received valuable training and networking to help their businesses grow and thrive.
At the Chamber, we believe that this is what community is all about!
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Nonprofit Member Spotlight | |
Tony’s Place sees a world without risk of homelessness for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, starting with a safe place that empowers the youth to become productive, successful and self-sufficient.
Tony’s Place promotes respect, physical safety, security and development for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies up to age 25 who are unstably housed, couch-surfing, or experiencing homelessness. We help youth survive on a day-to-day basis by providing services to meet their immediate, basic needs.
Learn more about Tony’s Place at https://tonysplace.org/.
| The Chamber is proud to highlight the missions of our nonprofit members and the amazing work they do in the community. | | |
Newest President's Circle Member Highlights | We are proud to call these members some of our newest President’s Circle Members! |
Learn more about becoming a President’s Circle Member here. | | |
Check out the Photos from Recent Chamber Events | |
It's been a busy few months at the Chamber. Check out some of the recent photos! | |
October 26, 2022 - LGBTBE® Roundtable and 2022 Cohort Graduation
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October 27, 2022 - LGBTQ+ History Month Celebration & Reflection | |
November 4, 2022 - First Friday Meet & Eat at Pho 518 | |
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November 8, 2022 - Brewing Up Business at BALANI | |
New Collaboration Partners | |
We are proud to announce new partnerships with the following organizations to continue to support the Chamber’s work focused on economic inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. | |
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Engage Mentoring is transforming cultures by leveraging software that provides access to meaningful relationships. The organization offers the Pride Leadership forum which is held with the purpose of celebrating and honoring members of the LGBTQ+ community as leaders in the workplace. This forum offers participants the opportunity to explore best leadership practices and principles in relation to LGBTQ+ identities, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Read the full press release here.
Learn more about Engage Mentoring at https://engagementoring.com/
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StartOut accelerates the growth of the LGBTQ+ community to drive its economic empowerment, building a world where every LGBTQ+ entrepreneur has equal access to lead, succeed, and shape the workforce of the future.
Learn more about StartOut at https://startout.org/.
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Strategic Partner Spotlight | The Chamber is proud to call HCC one of our many Strategic Partners who collaborate to support the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community. | Recently, the HCC Entrepreneurial Initiatives Team won the esteemed Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers for Excellent in Specialty Education for supporting minority and women owned businesses. Way to go, Dr. Maya Durnovo and Team! | | |
Professional Membership! Join Today! | |
Did you know the Chamber has a professional membership level? We have individuals who don’t have a business but want to be part of all the great work of the Chamber. Join as a professional member today!
Learn more here and join today!
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Register for Upcoming Events! | |
There are plenty of ways to engage with the Chamber coming up and great opportunities to make some connections and even have fun! Register for these upcoming events TODAY! | |
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The Chamber events calendar is regularly updated so check back often and keep an eye out for event announcements.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for various programming throughout the year. Click here to learn more and become a sponsor. Use this form to inquire about 2023 Sponsorship Opportunities!
For in-person events, please review the Chamber’s Health & Safety Policy and COVID Waiver.
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We’re proud to support one of our newest Collaboration Partners, StartOut! The organization is accepting applications for the Growth Lab’s 11th Cohort now!
The StartOut Growth Lab, sponsored by leading companies, including Chamber Corporate Partner Comcast, is a startup accelerator that offers top-quality mentoring, education, and networking opportunities for young companies that happen to be founded or co-founded by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Since its founding, the 56 graduated companies have raised $763M+ in funding and created over 3,650+ new jobs!
Cohort 11 companies will receive access to a virtual community of LGBTQ+ founders, mentoring from StartOut experts, free legal consultations, monthly digital lunch & learns with guest experts, and more!
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Congratulations to Business Premium Member, Gonzalez Olivieri LLC, for being recognized by the Better Business Bureau with the 2022 Award for Excellence Pinnacle Award. This award recognizes excellence and quality in the workplace. Gonzalez Olivieri LLC was awarded this honor above all other Houston law firms that were nominated. | |
Congratulations to Chamber Member, Jeffrey Reich Hale, who opened his new shop, Unique and Fabulous Boutique, in Schulenburg last month. | |
Puerto Vallarta anyone? Congratulations to Chamber Member, PHO 518, on the opening of their new location in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The new restaurant, called Let’s Pho Vietnamese Kitchen opened in mid-October. Way to go Charlie Huynh! Be sure and stop in the next time you’re in PV! Did you know that PHO 518 is one of our Grub Hub grant recipients? The restaurant received $10,000 earlier this year as part of the Grubhub Community Impact Grant Program. | |
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 this form.
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Renewing Corporate Partners | Thank you to our Corporate Partners who have renewed their investment. We appreciate your continued support of the Chamber! |
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Coldwell Banker United
Michael T Brown
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The Chamber is growing! It’s a great time to be part of our growing and thriving Chamber community. Join today! | |
Scholarship Available for Transgender and Gender Expansive (TGX) Business Owners! | |
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Would you like regional, statewide and national support to help your business grow and thrive?!?!? Scholarship funds are available for TGX Business Owners to become a member of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce and get LGBTBE® Certified.
Through membership engagement with the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and certification via the NGLCC, your business will have access to a wealth of resources, tools and a community ready to support you! The scholarship program is supported by Chamber Corporate Partner, Wells Fargo, and the NGLCC.
The scholarship funding will underwrite a one-year membership to the Chamber. With membership, businesses are eligible to have their certification fee waived. Apply TODAY!
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Deadline to apply is December 31, 2022. | |
Channel Highlight - YouTube | Check out the Chamber’s YouTube page for past events, resources and more. | Also, check out the Facebook Member Group where member can post information about their organizations. Are you a new Chamber Member? Post up an intro video and let us know about you and your member organization! | | |
It's a GREAT time to be part of the Chamber! |
Make sure your business is included in the online Chamber Directory where the community finds LGBTQ+ supportive businesses. Show your support and get more visibility for your business in the LGBTQ+ community!
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Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas | |
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Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce www.houstonlgbtchamber.com
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