FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA, Ga., November 5, 2020 –– OUT Georgia Business Alliance is proud to unveil our finalists for the chamber’s 2020 Community Honors spotlight awards highlighting Georgia’s LGBTQ+ businesses, nonprofits, and leaders who are charting significant impact for our community.

NOTE: Winners will be announced LIVE on Facebook.com/OUTGeorgia and OUTGeorgia.org on Thursday, November 19 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.

  • Dennis Collard, Collard Shockley LLC
  • Nancy Goodman, Alliance Planning & Probate, PC
  • Matt Keith, Bank of America
  • Crystal King, Grady Health System
  • Pam Stewart, The Coca-Cola Company

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.

  • Tori Cooper, HRC
  • Jamie Fergerson, Atlanta Pride Committee
  • Jeff Graham, Georgia Equality
  • Chanel Haley, Georgia Equality
  • Rev. Kim Jackson, GA State Senator Elect
  • Dr. Annise Mabry, The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation
  • Michael Shutt, Lambda Legal

Next Gen – Emerging LGBTQ+ 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.

  • Taylor Alxndr, Southern Fried Queer Pride
  • Roy Broderick Jr., Authentique Agency
  • Barret Broussard, Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia, Inc.
  • Jon Dean, Wussy Magazine
  • Dionne Kettl, TRANScending Barriers Atlanta
  • Jesse Pratt López, Trans Housing Coalition
  • Humberto Orozco, Latino LinQ

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.

  • The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation
  • First City Pride Center
  • Out on Film
  • Southern Fried Queer Pride
  • Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia, Inc.
  • TRANScending Barriers Atlanta
  • ZAMI NOBLA National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging

Corporate LGBTQ+ 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.

  • The Coca-Cola Company
  • Cox Enterprises
  • Grady Health System
  • MARTA
  • Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
  • Sage

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.

  • 18.21 Bitters
  • Authentique Agency
  • Charis Books and More
  • Modern Estate Planning by Scriber Law Group
  • Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
  • Witness & Co.

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.

  • Balmori Balmori Home Fragrance
  • Benni Beverages
  • Equal Footing
  • Glass House Guide
  • Prestige Accounting Solutions
  • Young Scrappy Money, LLC
  • Valiant Marketing

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.

  • Miko Evans, Meak Productions
  • Bruce Logue, PalmerHouse Properties
  • Katie Leikam, Katie Leikam LCSW
  • Jan Levie, Handy Entertainment
  • Stephen Urbrock, Spring Street Financial of Raymond James
  • Erica Wright, U First

Pivot of the Year

COVID-19 has impacted all of us here in Georgia, especially our BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Minority-owned businesses. OUT Georgia’s Pivot of the Year recognizes the organization that not only navigated COVID-19, but one that did an exceptional job of adapting its business and positively impacting its community.

  • Dunlop Productions
  • Handy Entertainment
  • Occasional Occasions by Carlton
  • Out on Film
  • Valiant Marketing
  • ZAMI NOBLA National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging


About OUT Georgia Business Alliance

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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.