Pride In Business Celebration & Awards
We are pleased to announce that The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Pride In Business Celebration & Awards Luncheon will take place on Friday, June 7, 2024 at the Hilton Americas - Houston. Kick off the first week of Pride Month 2024 by joining us for this fabulous 4th Annual event!
The Celebration won’t end after the awards are presented. Immediately following the luncheon, the After Party will kick off at the R24 Lounge located on the rooftop of the Hilton Americas - Houston. Pride In Business attendees will make their way to the 24th floor to enjoy signature cocktails and sweeping panoramic views of the Houston skyline. We’ll gather at 1:30pm and keep the connection and celebration going!
The Pride In Business Celebration & Awards luncheon recognizes the contributions made by Chamber members, Impact Partners and other key stakeholders in building a more diverse and inclusive business community in Houston and the region. The awards spotlight deserving companies and individuals and showcase the amazing work they are doing to support the LGBTQ+ community.
OUR SPECIAL GUEST
We are excited that David Begnaud, Lead National Correspondent for CBS Mornings, will be our Special Guest.
David has become an iconic figure in the journalism world, aptly dubbed “America’s Storyteller.” For nearly a decade, he has traveled the country to cover disaster and tragedy with empathy, compassion, and integrity. David was hailed for his reporting on Hurricane Maria's aftermath in Puerto Rico, which won him the George Polk award for public service, as well as international praise for his dedication to telling the stories of those suffering and underserved. His expansive use of social media drove home his commitment to exposing injustice wherever he found it. Today, David continues to speak truth through his feature stories, stories that uplift us and remind us of our shared humanity.
DAVID BEGNAUD
(he/him)
Lead National Correspondent
CBS MORNINGS
OUR EMCEE
Cheryl Mercedes, anchor and investigative reporter for KHOU-11, is returning to emcee the event. She is a champion for the Chamber and a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. We are honored to have her back with us again this year.
Cheryl is an Emmy and Murrow Award-winning investigative reporter and anchor at KHOU 11 News. She came to the Lone Star State from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she spent 12 years as an anchor and investigative reporter at WAFB-TV. Cheryl has covered several major breaking news stories that have made national headlines including Hurricane Katrina, the deadly ambush on Baton Rouge law enforcement officers and the murder trials of Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee. Her six-month investigation into unsafe and unsanitary conditions at a government-run apartment complex earned her an Emmy Award. The newscast she co-anchored also won an Emmy for its coverage of devastating tornadoes. Cheryl has picked up several Associated Press awards including “Reporter of the Year.”
CHERYL MERCEDES
(she/her)
Anchor, Investigative Reporter
OUR EVENT CHAIRS
SUSANNE BRADY-LUSK
(she/her)
Vice President and General Manager
Coca Cola Southwest Beverages
LAVONE JONES
(she/her)
Vice President, Human Resources
Comcast
STEPHEN MIRANDA
(he/him)
Senior Vice President, Private Client Advisor
Bank of America
HEAR FROM OUR EVENT CHAIRS
We are honored to have three outstanding individuals serving as our inaugural Event Chairs for the 2024 Pride In Business Celebration Luncheon & Awards. Susanne Brady-Lusk, from Arca Continental , Lavone Jones, from Comcast and Stephen Miranda, from Bank of America, all boast remarkable professional accomplishments, and by graciously accepting their roles as event chairs, continue to demonstrate their commitment to championing both economic inclusion and the LGBTQ+ community. Hear why they stepped up to support the Pride In Business Celebration as Event Chairs and the event's impact in the community. We are grateful for their support!
OUR SPONSORS
Thank you to our generous sponsors for the 2024 Pride In Business Celebration & Awards.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
VIP RECEPTION PRESENTING SPONSOR
DIAMOND SPONSOR
EMERALD SPONSOR
RUBY SPONSORS
SAPPHIRE SPONSOR
TOPAZ SPONSORS
PEARL SPONSORS
Aussie Pet Mobile
Ball Beverage Packaging
Bocci Engineering & Construction
City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity
Coldwell Banker TGRE
Horizon Advisory Group
Silver Eagle Distributors
AWARD SPONSOR
MEDIA PARTNER
MEDIA SPONSORS
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Pride In Business is a great opportunity to promote your company or organization during Pride Month!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
$25,000
VIP RECEPTION PRESENTING SPONSOR
$20,000
DIAMOND SPONSOR
$15,000
EMERALD SPONSOR
$10,000
RUBY SPONSOR
$5,000
SAPPHIRE SPONSOR
$3,500
TOPAZ SPONSOR
$2,500
PEARL SPONSOR
$1,000
AFTER PARTY PRESENTING SPONSOR
$2,500
AFTER PARTY CELEBRATION SPONSOR
$1,000
AFTER PARTY RAINBOW SPONSOR
$500
Download the Pride In Business sponsor packet to learn more about sponsor benefits.
Complete the Pride In Business sponsor form to reserve your sponsorship today.
THE AWARDS
Recognizing Excellence & Commitment to the LGBTQ+ Community
The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s Pride In Business Awards recognize member companies and business leaders committed to fostering an inclusive community that promotes economic inclusion. Nominees who demonstrate high-quality standards in their field, promote an inclusive work environment, and proudly support the LGBTQ+ community are encouraged to apply. Honorees will be announced at the Pride in Business Celebration & Awards Luncheon on June 7, 2024.
Thank you to Chamber Member and Awards Sponsor, PromoPrint Group, for underwriting the beautiful Pride In Business Awards.