Members and Supporters,
Whew…February! It was a month like no other…dealing with the winter storm, celebrating the Chamber’s five year milestone anniversary and our amazing members (heck…we’re celebrating all year long!) and the historic announcement with Mayor Turner signing the Executive Order to recognize LGBT-owned businesses in city contracting and procurement. Not to mention that the Chamber received word that the organization is being honored as a Houston Business Journal (HBJ) 2021 Diversity In Business Awards Honoree. Read further to find out how you can participate in the upcoming HBJ Diversity In Business Awards event.
With the 5 Year Anniversary Celebration, the Chamber has been recognized with proclamations/resolutions from the City of Houston, Harris County, State of Texas and the U.S. Congress. Visit the Chamber’s 5 Year Anniversary Celebration page to see the recognition and learn more at https://www.houstonlgbtchamber.com/5th-anniversary/.
Read more in this issue about our amazing Volunteer of the Year, opportunity to pitch your biz, huge announcement about SBA Debt Relief and more. Looking ahead…we have some great virtual events and learning opportunities including our new member only on-demand learning series with Beth Z. Members can access the on-demand series via the Info Hub.
Every day we are working to support and advocate for our members. If your business is not a member, now is a great time to join the Chamber! Join the Chamber today and get visibility for your business connect to community, resources and more.
With Pride,
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Tammi Wallace
Co-Founder and President & CEO
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HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT! THE CITY OF HOUSTON RECOGNIZES LGBT-OWNED BUSINESSES! |
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Making History! On March 4, Mayor Sylvester Turner signed an Executive Order today declaring that the City of Houston will now include Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Business Enterprises (LGBTBE®) Certified businesses in contracting and procurement opportunities. Thank you to Mayor Turner for leading the way in Texas! Watch the historic announcement here.
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This historic announcement marks Houston as the first city in the State of Texas to include LGBT owned businesses as part of City of Houston contracting and procurement. The Executive Order promotes an inclusive policy to offer fair and equal access to LGBT certified businesses. The Chamber will partner with the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity to bring resources and support to LGBTQ-owned businesses. Thank you to the team at the NGLCC for your support and partnership on LGBTBE® inclusion! Read more about the historic announcement here.
Interested in getting your biz LGBTBE® Certified? Watch the recent webinar with the NGLCC and Office of Business Opportunity.
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With the Chamber's 5 year anniversary, we will be highlighting the milestone celebration as well as our Inaugural and Founding Members and Corporate Partners throughout the year. We’ve set-up an Anniversary Page to capture the year of celebration. Click here to see photos from the past five years, a list of inaugural members, recognition and more as we capture the milestone 5 year celebration.
Check out our recent blog posts from Chamber Co-Founder’s Tammi Wallace and Gary Wood reflecting on the Chamber's 5 years (and beyond!).
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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! |
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Amegy Bank was our very first Chamber Corporate Partner. Learn more about Amegy Bank.
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Thank you to Adams, London and Weiss LLC for being a Chamber Founding Member. Learn more about Adams, London and Weiss LLC.
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Thank you to REFUGE Marketing & Consulting for being an Inaugural Business Member. Learn more about REFUGE Marketing & Consulting.
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2020 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR! |
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Congratulations to Shan Randle who is the Chamber 2020 Volunteer of the Year! Shan was recognized at the February Brewing Up Business event and received her Volunteer of the Year Award (virtually!).
Shan has been a key part of the Membership Committee, she takes her time and gets to know Chamber members and make connections and she is a HUGE advocate for the Chamber. Thank you Shan! We appreciate you and all you do for the Chamber.
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Business Connect Level Members |
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The Chamber continues to grow! Welcome to our newest members. |
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THANK YOU HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL! |
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Join the Chamber as we celebrate the recognition as a 2021 HBJ Diversity in Business Awards Honoree along with other organizations and individuals committed to diversity and inclusion. Thank you to the Houston Business Journal for recognizing the work of the Chamber as an "Outstanding Diversity Helping Hand" honoree.
You're Invited! Live Broadcast Event - Diversity In Business Awards with the Houston Business Journal. *Virtual event access is free to view. RSVP required.*
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Check out upcoming Chamber events and register today. Never attended a Chamber event? We would love to have you as our guest. Contact the Chamber Office at 832-510-3002 or info@houstonlgbtchamber.com for complimentary registration.
We continue to operate in a virtual environment due to COVID-19. All Chamber events are held virtually via Airmeet or Zoom.
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February is the month of LOVE, and we celebrated our LGBTQ Allied Chamber members at our February Brewing Up Business! Thank you to the British Consulate General-Houston for being our sponsor, and thank you to our special guest speaker, Consul General Richard Hyde, for sharing his personal and moving story on his journey to becoming a strong LGBTQ+ Ally. Missed it? Hear his story here.
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The Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce hosted the first Pride Across Texas of 2021 on February 25. It was great networking with LGBTQ & Allied business owners across the State of Texas. Thank you to Angela Hale for the terrific update about the Legislative Session. The Chamber is proud to be a founding chamber with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce.
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The following members are celebrating their Chamber Anniversary. We appreciate your continued support of the Chamber! |
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The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is a major public transportation agency based in Houston, Texas. METRO operates bus, light rail, bus rapid transit, and paratransit services (under the name METROLift) in the city as well as most of Harris County. METRO’s mission is to provide safe, clean, reliable and friendly public transportation services to our region.
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Business Plus Level Members |
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Business Connect Level Members |
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Updated Chamber Member Logo for 2021!
The Chamber Member logo has been updated. As a member business, you can display the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber Member logo so that others in the community recognize your involvement in the Chamber and support of the LGBTQ community.
Did you know that the general public is always looking for LGBTQ supportive businesses and organizations? Highlight your membership by proudly displaying the Chamber Member logo on your website and marketing materials. Members can access the member logo via the InfoHub.
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PITCH YOUR BIZ! DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY |
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Submit your brief applications to present at a future NGLCC LGBT Sip & Pitch Fridays program. This is a fantastic way to get your products and services in front of the NGLCC network, including corporate partners, fellow LGBTQ business owners, affiliate chambers, and more. As members of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber, you do not need to be an NGLCC Certified LGBTBE® in order to participate. Another member benefit! Application Link: https://bit.ly/3erdArr
Incredible opportunities have come to Sip & Pitch presenters as a result of participating – and we hope one of our members will be next! Why wouldn't you want to get your product or service in front of a national audience? This is YOUR opportunity!
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BUSINESS DAMAGE SURVEY - RESPONSE REQUESTED |
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Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) requests business participation in a survey regarding the recent winter weather event to assess damage and help determine recovery needs. Your response is requested by March 22, 2021. The Business Damage Survey can be accessed in English and Spanish by clicking here or Español. Additional resources can be found at www.readyharris.org.
Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Sloan explained the importance of collecting accurate data from our business community. The full draft of his comments is available from the Houston Business Journal via http://bit.ly/3eUuVvZ.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022.
- All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 24-months from the date of the note.
- All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2021, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 18-months from the date of the note.
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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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