The Evening Gala at Marathon Music Works Honors LGBTQ+ Businesses, Allies, Advocates, Business Leaders, and Corporations for Their Commitment to LGBTQ+ Equality in Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee (May 10, 2023) – The 10th Annual Pride in Business Awards will kick off June’s Pride Month by recognizing LGBTQ+-owned businesses, allied businesses, non-profits, corporate partners, and advocates that are committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and society. This year marks both the 10th Anniversary of the event and the 25th Anniversary of the Tennessee Pride Chamber, previously known as the Nashville LGBT Chamber.
On Thursday, June 1, the Tennessee Pride Chamber will bring together leaders of the LGBTQ+ and businesses communities for a re-invented awards ceremony featuring an evening gala with celebrity guests, entertainment, an early happy hour, dinner, awards, and a late-night dance party all at Marathon Music Works. The theme for the event is Taste of Tennessee, which will be brought to life through food, décor, and entertainment. Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion. Drag performers will be featured throughout the night with music by DJ Griffin Green.
10th Annual Pride in Business Awards
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Marathon Music Works
6:00 PM – Happy Hour
7:00 PM – Dinner & Awards
9:00 PM – Late Party featuring music, dancing and entertainment
One of the highlights of the evening is sure to be the debut of the “Voice of Change,” an award to recognize artists in the entertainment industry who have used their voices to lift the LGBTQ+ community. The Voice of Change award will be presented to Allison Russell, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a four-time Grammy-nominated artist. A poet, artist and activist, Allison was one of the artists leading the efforts behind the Love Rising concert at Bridgestone Arena held earlier this year.
Thanks in part to Allison’s effort, Love Rising raised more than $550,000 for LGBTQ+ organizations across Tennessee, including the Tennessee Pride Chamber Foundation, OUT Memphis, inclusion tennessee and the Tennessee Equality Project. The award will be presented to Allison by her co-headliner at Love Rising, Maren Morris. An ally for the LGBTQ+ community, Maren is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter.
Nominees for the 2023 Pride in Business Awards include:
Voice of Change
- Allison Russell
Allied Business of the Year
- Acme Feed & Seed
- Panther Creek Brewing
- Sid Gold’s Request Room
- Symphonic Distribution
- Virgin Hotels Nashville
- The W Nashville
Non-Profit of the Year
- American Cancer Society
- Franklin Pride
- Mechanical Licensing Collective
- Nashville Queer History
- Tennessee Equality Project
- We Are One Recovery Nashville
LGBTQ+ Business of the Year
- Big Drag Bus
- Clifton & Leopold
- Em Dash Photography
- Frankie J’s
- Focus LGBT Magazine
- Music City Creative
- Southport Solutions
Business Leader of the Year
- Ian Ayre, Nashville Soccer Club
- Sarah Ashley, Renowned Event Designs
- Ali Harnell, Live Nation
- Selena Haynes, Connect Media Group
- David Johnson, Regions Bank
- Burke Nihill, Tennessee Titans
Advocate of Year
- Vidaila Gentry, Drag Artist
- Dahron Johnson, Tennessee Equality Project
- Clayton Klutts, Franklin Pride
- Dakerri Rhone, Human Rights Campaign
- Aimee Sadler, Center for Nonprofit Management
- Terry Vo, API Middle Tennessee
Business Resource Group of the Year
- Alliance Bernstein
- Bass Berry Sims Pride Group
- Dell
- Gresham Smith LGBTQ+ Alliance Employee Resource Network
- Mars Petcare
- Regions Bank
Corporate Partner of the Year
- HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health
- Schneider Electric
- Sony Music
- Southern Orthodontic Partners
- Warner Music Group
- WME
The Tennessee Pride Chamber’s 10th Annual Pride in Business Awards are made possible thanks to its generous sponsors. The title sponsors include Solaren Risk Management and HCA Healthcare/Tristar Health. Nissan, Social Link and Bass Berry & Sims are sponsoring awards. Geodis is a gold table sponsor. AllianceBernstein is a silver table sponsor. The happy hour is sponsored by Marathon Music Works and DOG AND A DUCK. Tickets, tables and sponsorships are available online at tnpridechamber.com.
Businesses and leaders looking to demonstrate their support of the LGBTQ+ community in Tennessee are encouraged to buy their sponsorships now before they sell out. Tables, half-tables and individual tickets are all available for purchase online at tnpridechamber.com.
The 2022 Pride in Business Awards recognized:
President’s Award – Mac Huffington, Nashville Pride
Corporate Partner of the Year – Nashville Predators
LGBT Business of the Year – Turnip Truck
Business Leader of the Year – David Andrews, D’Andrews Bakery
Allied Business of the Year – Diskin Cider
Non-Profit of the Year – Oasis Center
Business Resource Group of the Year – Amazon
Advocate of the Year – Joseph Clark, Oasis Center
To learn more about the Tennessee Pride Chamber follow us at @tnpridechamber on social
media. Join the Tennessee Pride Chamber today at tnpridechamber.com.
About Tennessee Pride Chamber
The Tennessee Pride Chamber represents hundreds of corporations, small businesses, and
individual LGBTQ+ and allied professionals in Tennessee. Tennessee Pride Chamber programs
are driven by the mantra, “Advocate, Educate, Connect.” We are a leading business voice on
LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts at the state and local level representing a coalition of Tennessee
businesses. We offer educational opportunities to our members to further their careers and grow
their businesses. We connect our members and our communities to business and economic
opportunities. The Tennessee Pride Chamber is the only affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber
of Commerce (NGLCC) in the state. To learn more about the Tennessee Pride Chamber follow
us at @tnpridechamber on social media. Join the Tennessee Pride Chamber today at
tnpridechamber.com.
