OUT Georgia’s 2021 Community Honors, presented by AARP Georgia

December 16, 2021

Join hosts Kia Comedy, Dr. Elijah Nicholas, and the OUT Georgia Business Alliance for the 2021 Community Honors virtual spotlight awards, presented by AARP Georgia!

This special program will be broadcast from Out Front Theatre Company and streamed LIVE on outgeorgia.org/honors and Facebook on Thursday, December 16 at 7pm Eastern!

OUT Georgia will use its virtual awards celebration to recognize finalists and winners in the categories of Business Leader, Community Leader, Next Gen Leader, Nonprofit, Corporate Ally, Small Business, New Business, and Member of the Year!

“Our chamber has held this community awards event for decades, and we’re thrilled to once again share our lineup of diverse and inspiring finalists helping advance LGBTQ+ progress, impact, and visibility across Georgia,” said Chris Lugo, Executive Director of the OUT Georgia Business Alliance.

“This will be OUT Georgia’s second year in a row hosting a virtual Community Honors experience, but we’ve got some exciting developments up our sleeve to ensure this a fitting celebration of the exceptional leaders, businesses, and organizations demonstrating excellence while making Georgia a better place for all,” Lugo added.

OUT Georgia thanks AARP Georgia for serving as Presenting Sponsor of this year’s 2021 Community Honors.

Several incredible organizations also helped make this event possible, including Georgia Power, Regions Bank, Glass House Guide, Time to Dine, Unlimited Spectrum Counseling & Wellness, Dunlop Productions, Hierarchy, and Out Front Theatre Company.

Award finalists were identified with guiding input from the community, and OUT Georgia’s executive Board leadership will determine the winners of each category, except for Member of the Year which will be open to Membership voting November 23 through December 8.

Winners in each category below will be announced LIVE during the 2021 Community Honors virtual awards show to be held Thursday, December 16 at 7pm Eastern!

Business Leader of the Year

This award is given to the LGBTQ+ business leader in our community who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to their organization, as well as to the OUT Georgia Business Alliance and the LGBTQ+ business community. OUT Georgia’s 2021 Business Leader of the Year finalists are:

Raphael Bostic, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Latasha Griffin, UPS
Dana Johnson, Cobb Chamber of Commerce
Scott Mitchell, Travis Jean Emporium + The Bohemian Den
Renee Montgomery, Atlanta Dream

Community Leader of the Year

This award recognizes a Community Leader who demonstrates a commitment to serving and advancing the LGBTQ+ community by having created or contributed significantly to the success of one or more local nonprofit organizations or community efforts. OUT Georgia’s 2021 Community Leader of the Year finalists are:

- Sam Park, Georgia House of Representatives
- Eric Paulk, Georgia Equality
- Dr. Alieizoria Redd, Covenant House
- Charles Stephens, Counter Narrative Project
- Feroza Syed, Trans Housing Coalition / Activist

Next Gen Leader of the Year

This award is given to a young LGBTQ+ leader, professional, or entrepreneur who has demonstrated exceptional performance and an innovative drive that has benefited their organization and the LGBTQ+ community. OUT Georgia’s 2021 Next Gen Leader of the Year finalists are:

Taylor Alxndr, Southern Fried Queer Pride
Liliana Bakhtiari, Candidate for Atlanta City Council
DeMarcus Beckham, Georgia Equality
Jesse Pratt López, Trans Housing Coalition
Toni-Michelle Williams, Solutions Not Punishment Collaborative

Corporate Ally of the Year

This award is given to the Corporate Partner or Member that has shown exemplary support to the LGBTQ+ business community and to OUT Georgia Business Alliance. As a corporation, the nominee has taken a leadership role in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace; demonstrates a high level of corporate social responsibility in the community; and supports their employee diversity of LGBTQ Employee Resource Group. OUT Georgia’s 2021 Corporate Ally of the Year finalists are:

Member of the Year

This award is presented to the LGBTQ+ or allied business owner that has shown innovation in their business practices resulting in the advancement of their organization. In addition, this award recipient will also have advanced the mission, goals, and purpose of OUT Georgia Business Alliance, resulting in a positive impact for the LGBTQ+ business community. OUT Georgia’s 2021 Member of the Year finalists are:

Karmen Blackwell, Brixmor Property Group
Jim Farmer, Out on Film
Katie Leikam, Katie Leikam, LCSW
Dr. Annise Mabry, Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation
James McDonald, THEA

Member of the Year voting closes Wednesday, December 8 at 5pm Eastern, and all category winners will be announced LIVE during the 2021Community Honors virtual awards show to be held Thursday, December 16 at 7pm Eastern!

Voting for OUT Georgia’s 2021 Member of the Year is strictly for active Members! If you would like to join OUT Georgia Business Alliance, our state’s only LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce, visit https://outgeorgia.org/join/

About OUT Georgia Business Alliance

OUT Georgia Business Alliance proudly serves as Georgia’s only LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce.

Since 1994, OUT Georgia Business Alliance (formerly the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) has served the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community by advocating for the most inclusive and equitable business environment; providing support and resources to fuel economic growth; and driving meaningful community connections and impact across the State of Georgia.

OUT Georgia Business Alliance is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and is a proud affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact us at OUTGeorgia.org or info@OUTGeorgia.org.

OUT Georgia Business Alliance

OUT Georgia’s 2021 Community Honors, presented by AARP Georgia