Chamber Connect for February • March 2022

By Joe Woolley • Images Courtesy Joe Woolry | Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Advocating, educating and connecting our members and the LGBTQ+ and allied community, the Nashville LGBT Chamber advances common business interests, economic growth and equality in the workplace and society for its LGBT members, businesses and allies by providing educational, networking, and community-building opportunities. As we still face struggles with the pandemic and equality issues, we want you to know we are here for YOU.

Be a Member and Find our Members

We’ve proudly added many new businesses and individuals to our membership in 2021 and look forward to more growth in 2022! A great way to support the LGBTQ+ community is by frequenting chamber member businesses—just look for our OPEN and EQUAL membership sticker on windows and next to cash registers when you’re shopping. A full list of members and certified LGBT-owned businesses can be found on our website directory.

In honor of Black History Month, we are celebrating Black business owners! It is impossible to highlight every deserving company and member, but here is a list of a few from several different industries: Mac Productions, Inspired Concepts and Events, Lashley Security, STF Catering, EVO, National Museum of African American Music, Slim and Husky’s 

If you’re interested in joining the Chamber, visit our website at nashvilleLGBTchamber.org to learn more about membership levels and benefits.

Advocate.

We are carefully monitoring and actively engaged in stopping discriminatory legislation at the legislature. The 2022 General Assembly reconvened in January and we expect to see more anti-LGBT bills proposed. We will focus the business community on pushing back against these bills and keeping Tennessee a welcoming and inclusive place to live and work.

Educate.

Get connected to Classroom Connect! We are teaming up with Grow with Google to bring our members and the community a series of training, tools, and resources to help grow their skills, career, or business. Members of the LGBT Chamber will help facilitate a curriculum focused on websites, marketing, and more. 

Corporate Connect is a bi-monthly round table discussion for leaders of LGBT Employee Resource Groups. The national award-winning program has helped more than 5 companies start LGBT Employee Resource Groups. Pride in Business has had a positive impact on employee engagement, education, and awareness in the workplace, defeating anti-LGBT legislation in Tennessee, fundraising for LGBT youth, and other LGBT organizations, and more.

Connect.

Have you attended Brewing Up Business yet? This monthly networking event highlights member spaces and gives guests an opportunity to connect with the best in our community. This is a free event for members and first-time guests. 

The Nashville LGBT Chamber will present its annual business awards at a high-profile virtual event on Friday, June 3, 2022. Support the Nashville LGBT Chamber Foundation at our annual Pride in Business Awards, which includes a Who’s Who of Corporate leaders, small business owners, civic leaders and professionals. While reimagined for a virtual world, this high-energy event will still bring a powerful audience, emotional acceptance speeches and optimism among those committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Check our website for details on the location, sponsorship, tickets, and more.

Please join us at any of our events, or subscribe to our newsletter for more information. Special thanks to Connect for letting us highlight our work and our members!