Members and Supporters,
Unbelievable! As I write this message in early August, it’s hard to believe we are now in the latter part of the year. 2020 has been….well…it’s been a challenge, disruption and all of the above. It’s one reason why the Chamber is working hard every day to support our members and help you get through this difficult time.
As we plan events for the remainder of the year, we are working on statewide collaborations with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce (next up August 27!), more speed networking (we received great feedback on this format!) and some other great virtual events. I know…you are feeling Zoom fatigue…it’s real!
We promise Chamber events will not leave you fatigued but energized and will give you the opportunity to connect and promote your business. We maximize your time and want to keep our membership (guests welcome!) connected. Check out the upcoming events below and join us via Zoom. We would love to “see” you online. Connection is important especially now. We are here for you!
Not a member of the Chamber? Now is a great time to join the Chamber and create connections to help grow your business. Learn more about membership and benefits here. Your support not only brings more visibility for your business but helps us further our mission of economic inclusion. Join Today!
Did you know the Chamber is nominated for OutSmart Magazine’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Gayest & Greatest Awards not to mention many of our members? Check out the details in this newsletter and vote…DAILY!
Lastly, we are excited to roll out our first Board Member Spotlight. Our board members give tremendous amounts of their time and talent to the Chamber and we appreciate them! This month, we are highlighting Shenice Brown, who is the Treasurer for the Chamber. Check it out!
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Tammi Wallace
Co-Founder and President & CEO
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VOTE...in OutSmart Magazine's 2020 Readers' Choice Gayest & Greatest Awards. We have many Chamber members nominated as well as the Chamber! You may vote one time per category each day.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BUSINESSES BETWEEN JULY 26—AUGUST 30.
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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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Did you catch the recent Chamber Action Alert? Contact Congress - Take Action Now to support small businesses.
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Showtime and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) have partnered for “Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative”. The program is set up to preserve businesses that serve the LGBTQ+ community with a focus on LGBTQ+ people of color, women and the transgender community. Applications for the initiative are open now and will be accepted through August 14.
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BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - SHENICE BROWN |
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Check out or recent blog post highlighting Shenice Brown, who serves as the Treasurer for the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Through this interview, you can read more about Shenice, her vision for the important work at the Chamber, her LGBTBE® certified business and a few things fun things!
We appreciate Shenice and express our gratitude for her tremendous dedication and service to the Chamber!
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Did you catch the recent email about 10 Tips to Connect with Other Chamber Members sent out to Chamber members last week? If not check your email or the Member Facebook Group. We share solid tips and action items you can take now to support business development and maximize your Chamber membership!
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FAQ FOR LOAN FORGIVENESS AND
LATEST SUMMARY OF LENDING
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The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, is providing this guidance to address borrower and lender questions concerning forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, as provided for under section 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), as amended by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (Flexibility Act). FAQ for Loan Forgiveness
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Check out the Houston Chronicle article featuring Chamber member, Jelvin's Candy Shoppe. The founder, Jeffrey Reich-Hale was interviewed where he shared that Jelvin’s donates 60 percent of each sale to local charities including to Chamber member, AIDS Foundation Houston.
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REGISTER FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Due to COVID-19, the Chamber has moved all events for the remainder of the year to an online format.
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During our July 8 Brewing Up Business, Kennedy Loftin, Chief Development Officer with Chamber Member, The Montrose Center, shared information about the crucial work they are doing to support the LGBTQ+ community during COVID. If you are in a position to support The Montrose Center and their work, consider purchasing an item from their wishlist.
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On July 15, the Chamber hosted an informative and timely workshop, Business Builder Series: 6 Steps to a Better Business, presented by Doug Winnie and sponsored by ActionCOACH. ActionCOACH Special Offer for Chamber Members: Any chamber member can receive a complimentary 20-minute strategy session or 2-hour business diagnostic by sending an email to n3office@actioncoach.com. indicating your business name, email address, and contact phone number.
Check the events calendar for registration information for upcoming webinars and networking events.
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THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWING CORPORATE PARTNERS |
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Thank you to our generous Corporate Partners who have renewed their support and investment in the Chamber! |
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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 Premium
Business Connect
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST
LGBTBE® CERTIFIED MEMBERS!
Congratulations to the following Chamber members who have received their LGBTBE® certification!
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Are you interested in learning more about how to get LGBTBE® certified? Check out certification details here to learn more about the how your business can become LGBTBE® certified. Schedule a one-on-one drop-in session with the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative (SDI) team to answer any questions about the LGBTBE® certification.
If you missed our webinar, “How to get LGBTBE® Certified,” you can check out the recording here. Did you know that if you’re a member of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber that your LGBTBE® certification fee is waived by the NGLCC? That’s right! A win-win…you get all the benefits of local membership and a national certification. Membership is local and certification is national! Click here for more information about the LGBTBE® certification on the Chamber Blog as well!
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NEW CHAMBER YOUTUBE CHANNEL! |
The Chamber’s YouTube Channel is now live! Catch recent and archived webinars including Webinar Wednesday, Ask The Expert, Business Builder Series and more. Subscribe to the channel today!
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HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE CENSUS? |
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We cannot afford to have our community undercounted in the Census! Respond Today!
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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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