2022 Community Honors Celebration

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 2022 Business Leader of the Year finalists are:

• Raphael Bostic, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
• Scott Mitchell, The Bohemian Den
• Betsy Robinson, Tier4 Group
• Pamela Stewart, The Coca-Cola Company
• Ja’Mel Ashely Ware, THRIVE SS Project Innovate

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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 2022 Community Leader of the Year finalists are:

• Paul Conroy, Out Front Theatre Company
• Craig Hardesty, Out on Film
• Candace Hardnett, Agape Empowerment Ministries / Proud Savannah
• Jerry Gonzalez, GALEO
• Charles Stephens, Counter Narrative Project

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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 2022 Next Gen Leader of the Year finalists are:

• Antwan & Jeremy Aiken, The Aiken Foundation
• Liliana Bakhtiari, Atlanta City Council
• DeMarcus Beckham, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia / Reach to Impact
• Bentley Hudgins, Activist
• Toni-Michelle Williams, Solutions Not Punishment Collaborative

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Nonprofit of the Year

This award is given to a nonprofit organization that works tirelessly in order to positively impact the health, happiness, and general welfare of those in the LGBTQ+ community.

OUT Georgia’s 2022 Nonprofit of the Year finalists are:

• Counter Narrative Project
• First City Pride Center
• Out Front Theatre Company
• Out On Film
• THRIVE SS

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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 2022 Corporate Ally of the Year finalists are:

• Bank of America
• The Coca-Cola Company
• Dell Technologies
• Discover DeKalb
• Georgia Power Company

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New Business of the Year

This award is presented to the LGBTQ-owned small business that is less than two years old and already building a track record of excellence, innovation, and impact.

OUT Georgia’s 2022 New Business of the Year finalists are:

• LoGo Goods
• MODIV Group
• Namaste Casting + Tchotchkes
• T.R.A.N.S.parent Life Conversations

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Small Business of the Year

This award is given to the LGBTQ-owned small business in the community that has shown exemplary support to the LGBTQ+ business community and to the OUT Georgia Business Alliance.

OUT Georgia’s 2022 Small Business of the Year finalists are:

• APG Emerging Tech
• Automation Intelligence
• Balmori Balmori Home Fragrance
• The Bohemian Den
• Tier4 Group

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Member of the Year

This award is presented to the LGBTQ+ or allied entrepreneur or professional who 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 2022 Member of the Year finalists are:

• Miko Evans, Meak Productions, Inc
• Felicia “BG” McCoy, BG Promotions, Inc.
• Matt Mitchell, Mitchell Event Planning
• Dr. Elijah Nicholas, Dr. Elijah Nicholas, LLC
• Vanessa Wagner, Georgia Power Company

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Occasional Occasions by Carlton
JenChan’s
Baker Dude
Don Cosme Tequila
Jay Productions Agency
Photography by Mark Morin and Josephine of La Choloteca
Dunlop Productions
Hierarchy
Mitchell Event Planning