The Tennessee Pride Chamber Hosts the 10th Annual Pride in Business Awards on June 1

The 10^th 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 10^th Anniversary of the event and the 25^thAnniversary for 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.

10^th 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 voice 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 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 10^th 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.