The Tennessee Pride Chamber Hosted the 10th Annual Pride in Business Awards Presented by Dell Technologies and The Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Pride Chamber Hosted the
10th Annual Pride in Business Awards
Presented by Dell Technologies and The Tennessee Titans
The Evening Gala at Marathon Music Works Honored LGBTQ+ Businesses, Allies, Advocates, Business Leaders, and Corporations for Their Commitment to LGBTQ+ Equality in Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee (June 2, 2023) – The 10th Annual Pride in Business Awards presented by Dell Technologies and The Tennessee Titans kicked 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 for the Tennessee Pride Chamber, previously known as the Nashville LGBT Chamber.
On Thursday, June 1, the Tennessee Pride Chamber brought together leaders of the LGBTQ+ and business communities for an 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. Drag performers were featured throughout the night with music by DJ Griffin Green.
One of the highlights of the evening was the debut of the “Voice of Change,” an award to recognize artists in the entertainment industry who have used their voice to lift the LGBTQ+ community. The Voice of Change award was 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 was 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.
Honorees for the 2023 Pride in Business Awards included:
Voice of Change – Sponsored by Holland & Knight
Allison Russell
Allied Business of the Year – Sponsored by Bass, Berry & Sims
Acme Feed & Seed - WINNER
Panther Creek Brewing
Sid Gold’s Request Room
Symphonic Distribution
Virgin Hotels Nashville
The W Nashville
Non-Profit of the Year – Sponsored by The Tennessee Titans
American Cancer Society
Franklin Pride
Mechanical Licensing Collective
Nashville Queer History
Tennessee Equality Project – WINNER
We Are One Recovery Nashville
LGBTQ+ Business of the Year – Sponsored by Solaren Risk Management
Big Drag Bus - WINNER
Clifton & Leopold
Emily April Allen Photography
Frankie J’s
Focus LGBT Magazine
Music City Creative
Southport Solutions
Business Leader of Year – Sponsored by Nissan
Ian Ayre, Nashville Soccer Club - WINNER
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 – Sponsored by Social Link
Vidaila Gentry, Drag Artist - WINNER
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 – Sponsored by HCA Healthcare
Alliance Bernstein
Bass Berry Sims Pride Group
Dell
Gresham Smith LGBTQ+ Alliance Employee Resource Network - WINNER
Mars Petcare
Regions Bank
Corporate Partner of the Year – Sponsored by Dell Technologies
HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health - WINNER
Schneider Electric
Sony Music
Southern Orthodontic Partners
Warner Music Group
WME
The Tennessee Pride Chamber’s 10th Annual Pride in Business Awards were made possible thanks to its generous sponsors. The gala and awards were co-presented by Dell Technologies and The Tennessee Titans. Title sponsors included Solaren Risk Management and HCA Healthcare/Tristar Health. The awards were sponsored by Holland & Knight, Social Link, Nissan & Bass Berry, and Sims.
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.
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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.
Media Contact: Brian Rosman, brian@tnpridechamber.com, 323.605.2211
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