2026 Pride In Business

PRIDE IN BUSINESS CELEBRATION LUNCHEON + AFTER PARTY

Honoring a Decade of Progress. Igniting the Next Era of Impact.

Where business meets community.
Where Pride fuels economic power.
Where the next decade begins.

A Premier Pride Month Celebration at the Intersection of Business & Community

Celebrating a Milestone Decade at Pride In Business!

In 2026, we celebrated that impact and launched the next era of economic progress at the Pride In Business Celebration + After Party — the region’s premier and only business-focused Pride Month event.

In 2026, we celebrated a transformational milestone —
✨ 10 Years of building an economy where everyone belongs.

We hope you enjoyed celebrating a decade of progress — and igniting the next era of impact.

What a day. What a celebration. What a Decade of Impact.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Pride In Business Celebration as we honored the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s 10-Year Anniversary.

The ballroom was full of LGBTQ+ and allied business leaders, community partners, elected officials, sponsors, members, and friends — all coming together to celebrate visibility, connection, and economic power. The energy in the room was extraordinary and a powerful reminder of what we have built together over the past decade.

We also want to extend a special thank you to our Chamber Impact Partner, Hilton Americas-Houston, for being the ultimate hosts.

From the planning process to the day-of experience, your team helped create a seamless, welcoming, and memorable celebration. And to the Hilton waitstaff and hospitality team — thank you for your outstanding service, care, and professionalism throughout the event.

A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Casa Maestri / Agave Boom, our VIP Reception Presenting Sponsor, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, and our Visionary Sponsors, Hilton Americas-Houston and Shell USA, for your generous support and partnership in helping make this milestone celebration possible.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

VIP RECEPTION PRESENTING SPONSOR

VISIONARY SPONSORS

To all of our sponsors — thank you for showing up, investing in this work, and helping us celebrate a Decade of Impact in such a powerful way.

Featured Speaker: Keith Boykin

Thank you to our featured speaker, Keith Boykin, for sharing his powerful story, wisdom, and perspective with our community. His conversation with Len was one of the most meaningful moments of the day and a reminder of the power of visibility, leadership, and lived experience.

Special Guest

We also extend our appreciation to Mayor John Whitmire for joining us as a special guest and helping recognize this milestone moment for the Chamber and our community.

Our Event Co-Chairs

A very special thank you to our 2026 Pride In Business Celebration Co-Chairs — Dr. Jacquie Baly, Brooks Ballard, and Francisco Sánchez, Jr. — for your leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment to making this milestone event such a success.

We are also deeply grateful to our Host Committee for helping build excitement, expand outreach, invite your networks, and support the Chamber’s work leading up to this year’s celebration. Your leadership helped fill the ballroom and make this year’s Pride In Business Celebration one of the most meaningful in our history.

Brooks Ballard
President
Brooks Ballard International Real Estate

Dr. Jacquie Baly
Founder & CEO
BalyProjects

Francisco Sánchez, Jr.
Senior Advisor for Economic Development
Hagerty Consulting

Pride In Business Awards

Honoring Leadership, Excellence & Impact.

Congratulations again to this year’s Pride In Business award recipients.

Your leadership, advocacy, service, and commitment to inclusion reflect the very best of our community. Each of you is helping build a stronger, more visible, and more connected LGBTQ+ and allied business ecosystem across the Greater Houston region.

We were honored to celebrate your impact.

See the full list of Honorees and hear in their own words what the Pride In Business Award means to them.

2026 Award Honorees

Because of the Chamber

Thank you to Chamber member The Edit Lab for the spectacular production of our 10-Year Impact Video "Because of the Chamber."

After Party

From the incredible crowd to the electric energy, we closed out the afternoon in true style. Community, connection, and celebration were on full display, and your presence made it unforgettable.

The Pride In Business After Party wasn’t just a party — it was a statement: that our community shows up, celebrates our wins, and lifts each other up every step of the way.

Thank you to our After Party Presenting Sponsor, Kirksey Gregg Productions, for your support.

Continue the Impact

The Pride In Business Celebration may be over, but the work continues.

Together, over the past decade, we have built a Chamber, a voice, a platform, and an economic ecosystem that is creating visibility, opening doors, and strengthening LGBTQ+ and allied business opportunity across our region.

As we look ahead, our work is far from finished.

This anniversary was not only a celebration of what has been built — it was a reminder of what is still possible. There is so much more to come in the years ahead, and we need your support to help us expand this work for the next 10 years.

You can still make a donation to support the Chamber’s mission and help us build for the future.

Your support helps the Chamber expand economic opportunity, strengthen LGBTQ+ and allied businesses, create visibility, and build a stronger regional business community.