ABOVE: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber President Justice Gennari and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch. Photo by Ryan Williams-Jent.
TAMPA | The Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber held its 40th annual State of the Chamber luncheon Feb. 22 at Bryan Glazer Family JCC, celebrating four decades of service to Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ business community.
The chamber has advanced workplace equality and other business interests in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties since 1993. It does so as an affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, which verifies that businesses are majority-LGBT owned through LGBT Business Enterprise certification.
President and CEO Justice Gennari began by thanking the over 350 business professionals, LGBTQ advocates and elected officials in attendance for their support. He then reflected on the chamber’s impact in 2022, noting that they welcomed 75 new members and 21 new LGBTBEs while hosting over 120 programs and events last year.
“It is a complete honor to stand here in front of you today,” Gennari said. “I’m very proud of this incredible organization … it would not be here for the last 40 years without you.”
Speakers included outgoing Chair Chad Daughtrey, who called his time on the board an honor. Incoming Chair Trace Kingham presented him with a plaque of appreciation while previewing the chamber’s work in the year to come.
“It is more important than ever to work together with our allies, our members, our public officials, our civic organizations and stand shoulder to shoulder and demonstrate just how important our LGBT Chamber, our members and our community are to the fabric of the community,” Kingham said. “Let’s work together and let’s bring our voices to the forefront.”
Honoring some of those voices, the chamber subsequently announced recipients of their 2022-2023 Impact Awards. The chamber previously accepted nominations to honor “nonprofits and community leaders who exemplify the highest standard of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and invest their time and resources into our community,” Gennari explained.
Grow Financial was awarded Corporation of the Year, CAN Community Health was awarded Nonprofit of the Year and ABC Events received Small Business of the Year. Watermark Publishing Group also proudly received LGBTBE of the Year:
“I am shocked and honored to accept this award on Watermark’s behalf,” Owner and Publisher Rick Todd says. “My sincerest gratitude to the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber for recognizing the hard work and dedication of the Watermark staff, who I am so very proud of. It is truly an honor.”
Gennari then presented his 2022 President’s Award to The Regent, an honor delayed in recent years due to the pandemic. As such, he awarded the Tampa Bay Lightning the 2021 President’s Award, Regions Bank the 2022 honor and BKN Creative received the honor for 2019.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch spoke next, reflecting on the chamber’s impact throughout the decades. They also presented proclamations honoring its 40-year milestone.
“This is a great occasion,” Castor said, “celebrating the LGBT Chamber and all that Justice has done for the organization.” The mayor, who is seeking a second term in Tampa’s March 7 election, then reflected on the city’s commitment to equality.
In 2019, shortly after making history as Tampa’s first openly LGBTQ leader, Castor announced that the city would recognize LGBTBEs in contracting and procurement opportunities. She added that “it is incumbent upon each of us to understand our responsibility in ensuring that our community remains welcoming and that we value every single individual in our communities.”
Welch spoke next, thanking the chamber for its work and adding that he looks forward to Castor securing a second term. He also stressed that diversity and inclusion “is good for business.”
“It’s a no- brainer,” Welch said. “DEI should be something that we are proud of, that we talk about and that we celebrate. Know that you have a strong partner in the City of St. Petersburg.”
Gennari concluded the program by previewing some of the chamber’s upcoming initiatives. He also expressed his gratitude for sponsors, chamber members and leaders, noting that “your invaluable support does not go unrecognized.”
Watermark was proud to attend the luncheon and to receive LGBTBE of the Year. View our full photo gallery below.
Photos by Dylan Todd.
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