FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATLANTA, Ga., November 10, 2022 –– OUT Georgia Business Alliance is proud to announce the finalists for its 2022 Community Honors Celebration‘s spotlight awards, highlighting the individuals and organizations boldly leading Georgia’s LGBTQ+ community.
The 2022 Community Honors Celebration will be held Friday, December 9, at Atlanta City Hall, and OUT Georgia will recognize finalists and announce the winners live in the categories of Business Leader, Community Leader, Next Gen Leader, Nonprofit, Corporate Ally, Small Business, New Business, and Member of the Year!
Tickets to the Community Honors Celebration include an assigned seat at a main floor table, cocktail reception, dinner stations from JenChan’s and Occasional Occasions by Carlton, desserts by Baker Dude, open bar, and a night of fabulous celebration and entertainment with Ella/Saurus/Rex, Dotte Com, Michael Robinson, the MetroGnomes Big Band (Atlanta Freedom Bands), and after-party beats by GeeXella!
Award finalists were identified with guiding input from the community, and OUT Georgia’s executive leadership will determine the winners of each category, except for Member of the Year which will be open to Membership voting November 9-23, 2022.
Winners in each category below will be announced LIVE during the 2022 Community Honors Celebration held Friday, December 9, at Atlanta City Hall!
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
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
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
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:
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:
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
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:
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
Member of the Year voting closes Wednesday, November 23 at 5pm Eastern, and all category winners will be announced LIVE during the 2022 Community Honors Celebration held Friday, December 9, at Atlanta City Hall!
Voting for OUT Georgia’s 2022 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/
2021 Community Honors Award Winners
2020 Community Honors Award Winners
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.