Tammi Wallace | Co-Founder, President & CEO, Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Tammi (she|her|hers) is a Co-Founder of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Her passion for economic inclusion for the LGBTQ+ Business Community has been a driving force in the Chamber’s growth since the launch of the organization. She brings a strong combination of strategic thinking, project management skills and a collaborative mindset through her varied leadership roles in education management, financial services, nonprofit management, political consulting, public policy and management consulting.
In recognition of the progress made in advancing the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber’s strategic goals and the need to dedicate resources to achieve the longer-term vision for the organization, the Board of Directors named Tammi to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer to lead, manage, and execute day-to-day operations. This appointment recognized Tammi’s years of volunteer work with the Chamber behind the scenes at the local, state, and national levels, where she has been dedicated to bringing visibility to the LGBTQ+ Business Community.
Currently, Tammi serves on the board of the Hollyfield Foundation and Montrose Management District as well as on the National LGBT Chamber (NGLCC) Affiliate Chamber Leadership Council representing the Southern region. In 2016, she was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner to serve on the City of Houston’s first LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Tammi is a past member of the Victory Fund Campaign Board and she co-chaired the 2015 and 2016 Victory Fund Houston Champagne Brunch resulting in record-breaking fundraising to help elect LGBTQ+ candidates across the country.
In 2019, she was recognized by BEQ magazine as a Legacy Leader in the LGBTQ+ community. Tammi has been recognized as OutSmart Magazine’s Gayest & Greatest Award for Female Business Person. She was named Female Grand Marshal of the Houston Pride Parade in 2011 in recognition of her leadership and activism on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
Why did you feel it was important to start an LGBTQ+ chamber in Houston?
I knew that it not only was important but also crucial to make sure the LGBTQ community was represented when it comes to economic development and economic inclusion. The LGBTQ+ Business Community needed a voice locally and regionally. Primarily, the LGBTQ community had been viewed through an activist lens or as a voting bloc. Both aspects are absolutely true and powerful parts of the make-up of the LGBTQ community. But we are also business owners, and we have a vibrant LGBTQ entrepreneurial community in the region. However, traditionally, we have not been represented when it comes to economic development. I knew this had to change and launching the Chamber was the start to open that door.
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) said they were continually asked about why there was no LGBTQ Chamber in Houston, yet chambers existed in Austin, North Texas and San Antonio. Not only was it a noticeable gap when looking at the state but it was a huge gap in terms of making sure our voice is heard in business. Not to mention…we are a business city and economic powerhouse with multiple Fortune 500 companies and more.
Reference blog Here: https://business.houstonlgbtchamber.com/blog/Details/5th-anniversary-we-are-just-getting-started-54149
Another reference blog post link – specifically for Pride Month: https://business.houstonlgbtchamber.com/blog/Details/a-texas-rainbow-sticker-62863
About the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Mission
The mission of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce accelerates economic opportunity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + business community through a strong network of business allies, innovative programs, strategic partnerships and advance policies that foster economic inclusion and equality.
Strategic Focus Areas
The Chamber’s work centers around five strategic focus areas:
- Business Development & Growth
- Education & Networking
- Collaboration & Partnerships
- Leadership Development
- Advocacy/Policy
The overarching work of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber is focused on economic empowerment for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Our work focuses on supporting and growing a thriving LGBTQ+ and Allied Business Community to create economic opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community. The Chamber understands the power of giving an individual or community equality of opportunity to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from economic opportunities and fully be part of and recognized as part of the economic development ecosystem at all levels of society.
LGBTBE Certification
The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) on the LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE®) certification program. The Chamber helps LGBTQ owned businesses get LGBTBE® certified and maximize the certification.
The Chamber supports our LGBTBE® certified members through the LGBTBE® Roundtable Program, which offers connections and opportunities to help certified LGBT Business Enterprise thrive. The main goal of the LGBTBE Roundtable Program is to foster the development, growth and sustainability of certified LGBTBEs who are members of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber. Learn more about the LGBTBE® Certification:
https://www.houstonlgbtchamber.com/lgbt-business-certification/
Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce
The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is a Founding Member of the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce. The Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce is a coalition of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
The Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce works to achieve equality and inclusion by promoting economic vitality in our communities and strengthening LGBTQ and ally businesses across the State of Texas. The priorities for the coalition include advocacy and collaborative programming, including Pride Across Texas and the LGBTBE® Roundtable Program. The coalition believes that in Texas, when business thrives, people prosper. For this to happen, all Texans must be included and respected.
Website: www.houstonlgbtchamber.com
Chamber Social Media Channels
- Facebook – @houstonlgbtchamber
- Twitter – @HoustonLGBTCoC
- Instagram – @houstonlgbtchamber
- LinkedIn – @greaterhoustonlgbtchamber
- YouTube
- Chamber Logo – https://www.houstonlgbtchamber.com/chamber-logos/