The Chamber hosted the 2024 Pride In Business Celebration Luncheon & Awards on June 7, 2024. The event honored 11 Pride In Business Award Honorees to recognize their contributions in building a more diverse and inclusive business community in Houston and the region. The awards spotlight deserving companies, organizations and individuals and showcase the amazing work they are doing to support the LGBTQ+ community.
We also recognized Gary Wood, Chamber Co-Founder, with the Chamber Founders Award.
See this year's Pride In Business Award Honorees recipients as well as our Founders Award Honoree and learn more about them below.
The Chamber Founders Award recognizes a person who has demonstrated exceptional vision, courage, resilience and leadership in promoting equality, acceptance, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. This award serves as a tribute to a person who is a trailblazer and who has pioneered meaningful change and created innovative approaches, from mobilizing resources and support to groundbreaking initiatives to support the LGBTQ+ community.
This year's Pride In Business awards kicked off by recognizing Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Co-Founder Gary Wood and presenting him with the inaugural Chamber Founders Award. For decades, Gary has done remarkable work in the LGBTQ+ community, and he currently serves as the Board Chair for the Montrose Center. Going forward, this will be an annual Chamber award, and Gary will help identify individuals who meet the criteria.
The Corporate LGBTQ+ Ally of the Year award is given to a dedicated individual who has had a positive professional and personal impact within their company as champions for LGBTQ+ inclusion on behalf of employees, customers and the broader LGBTQ+ community.
From being a staunch and dedicated ally for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the company, to working to establish a strong UPS Pride Alliance Business Resource Group in the region, to promoting the Chamber partnership and so much more, Roderick Brown, UPS District Health & Safety Manager, is truly what the definition of being an LGBTQ+ ally means.
The LGBTQ+ Business of the Year award honors a successful LGBTQ+-owned business dedicated to advancing economic opportunities within the LGBTQ+ community. They exemplify commitment by supporting fellow members, the Chamber, fostering connection, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community through their business.
From partnering with the Chamber through events, connecting community, participating in the Grubhub grant program, creating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and giving back to various nonprofits, Star Sailor wholeheartedly embodies the spirt of this award. They exemplify commitment by supporting fellow members, the Chamber, fostering connection, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community through their business.
The Chamber Advocacy Award is given to an organization that is a strong advocate for the Chamber and the community. Through its work and impact, this organization advances prosperity for the LGBTQ+ community.
The Woodlands Pride is being honored with the Chamber Advocacy Award for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community in The Woodlands and beyond, and their longtime partnership with the Chamber. Through their festival, signing on to fight the Drag Ban bill and more, they exemplify what advocating for community means.
The Employee Resource Group of the Year Award is given to an Employee Resource Group that works to advocate and build a culture of inclusion and acceptance in the workplace and is a tremendous partner with the Chamber to move economic inclusion forward.
Sysco Spectrum LGBTQ+ & Allies Colleague Resource Group is an inspiration from their work internally to advocate for LGBTQ+ employees to engagement with the Chamber through partnership, executive leadership engagement, support of the Chamber Holiday Food and Supply Drive to the LGBTQ+ Workplace Alliance Program and making a difference for the LGBTQ+ community, as a whole.
The Allied Business of the Year Award recognizes a successful Allied-owned small business that is committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion through its work, actions and visible support of the community. The business is a strong champion of the Chamber's mission and the LGBTQ+ community.
Like Minds Communications has been a strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community, through intentional and impactful engagement for years, from engaging with the Chamber as a member, to partnering on the Show Your Pride campaign, to working with LGBTQ+ organizations pro bono, engaging LGBTQ+ influencers and so much more.
The Community Legacy Award honors an individual or organization that has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Through the actions of advocacy, service, education or community initiatives, they have made significant and positive impact for the LGBTQ+ community.
The Chamber is honored to recognize Atlantis for her work as a dedicated activist and leader, working on behalf of the transgender community. She is deeply committed to fostering inclusion and empowerment within the Houston community. Through her advocacy work, she amplifies the voices of transgender individuals, advocating for equality, visibility, and respect. She uses her platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the transgender community, including discrimination, healthcare disparities, violence and much more. For years, she has worked tirelessly to create safer and more supportive spaces for transgender people in Houston and beyond. Her leadership serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, driving meaningful change and advancing the cause of transgender rights and acceptance.
The Non Profit Member of the Year Award acknowledges a nonprofit member that is committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion through its work, actions and visible support of the community. The organization has a proven track record of success and impact on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Tony's Place is making a difference every day in the lives of our unhoused LGBTQ+ youth. They are a lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth who need support.
The Impact Partner of the Year Award is given to a company that has demonstrated a strong commitment to positively growing the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community and to diversity in the workplace. HP goes above and beyond corporate standards, proactively working with Chamber leadership and members with a common purpose of one day achieving equality through economic inclusion.
HP, for decades has been leading on LGBTQ+ inclusion. The company been intentional about impact with the Chamber partnership and overall support of the LGBTQ+ community. The company has partnered with the Chamber such as the Pride In Business Celebration, to providing technology for member small businesses and nonprofits and highlighting the Chamber partnership at the national level. HP has made a huge difference for the Chamber and the LGBTQ+ community.
The Chamber Champion Award goes to a person who has been an extraordinary advocate for the Chamber and the LGBTQ+ community. Through their work and impact, this person advances prosperity for the LGBTQ+ community.
Council Member has been a longtime advocate and champion for the LGBTQ+ community. She is a partner with the Chamber on the Show Your Pride campaign and supported the Chamber’s efforts to make Houston the first city in Texas to recognize LGBTQ+ owned businesses in City of Houston contracting. In 2022, she created the Families with Pride festival to celebrate love, inclusivity and all families. Council Member Kamin was recognized as the Ally Grand Marshal for the Pride Parade in 2021. The Chamber is proud to recognize her as an outstanding champion and ally of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year Award recognizes an individual who works in supplier diversity or procurement and has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, especially LGBTQ+ inclusion, within the larger business community.
Tracy Upton, Supply Chain Advisor - US Supplier Diversity, Shell USA is a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in her role at Shell USA as part of the supplier diversity team. She has encouraged her colleagues to engage with diverse suppliers, including LGBTQ+ suppliers, promoted the Chamber and mentored LGBTQ+ owned businesses to help them succeed.
The LGBTBE® Certified Business of the Year Award is given to an LGBTBE® Certified Member Business that has a proven track record of success and serves as a strong example for other Chamber members.
The Business Team wholeheartedly embodies the spirit of this award and is a standout LGBTBE® Certified member business. They are champions for the Chamber and the LGBTQ+ business community. The Business Team is an advocate for other businesses to engage and succeed and they are committed to helping other members with the certification process, and making connections to help other small businesses grow and thrive.
