Oct 13, 2014 Upcoming Events 0 comment

GHBC’s Pinnacle Awards Winners Announced!

 

Contact: Sophia Macris                                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Office: 713-522-4273                                                       October 13, 2014

Cell:  713-899-9321

GHBC’s Pinnacle Awards Winners Announced!

Packed House Salutes Honorees and Winners at The Power Center

HOUSTON, TX – A “sold out” crowd of over 600 guests attended the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce’s (GHBC) annual salute to the achievements of the city’s Black-owned businesses during the 20th Annual Pinnacle Awards last Saturday night, October 11th.    The black-tie gala included appearances by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who accepted the Chamber’s Public Leadership Award, and The Honorable Annise D. Parker, Mayor of the City of Houston.

 

The GHBC’s Board Chair, Vernita B. Harris, saluted the evening’s success and the accolades given to the various winners and honorees.

 

“This was the perfect celebration of the Chamber’s 79 year legacy,” observed Ms. Harris, “and a worthy tribute to the 20th anniversary of the Pinnacle Awards.  It was wonderful to see our members, friends, honorees and corporate partners interacting collectively as the GHBC’s ‘family’.  It was a very, very special night.”

 

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the four local businesses which were honored with Pinnacle Awards. In alphabetical order, they are:

 

+ Autos R Us Collision Center

+ Elite Change

+ Facility Interiors

+ Industrial Welding Academy

 

“This was an especially challenging year for our awards review committee,” said Ms. Harris. “All of the finalists were capable of winning, but we could only choose four- and the four we selected are outstanding.  Our expectation is that they will be with us for the Chamber’s next twenty years–and beyond!”

Dr. Latisha T. Rowe and her Click It Clinic received the Mack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Award, which included a $2,500 honorarium.

 

In addition to these announcements, a number of other area businesses and community leaders were recognized.

 

Unity Bank was honored with The GHBC’s Endurance Award.  The Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement was given to Earl Graves, Sr., and accepted by his son Michael Graves, who now makes Houston his home.  Scott Minnix, of the City of Houston’s Office of General Services received the GHBC’s Advocate Award for his efforts to award contracts to certified businesses. The Excellence Award was bestowed on James Davis, President of Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram.

 

Board Chair Vernita B. Harris also conferred Chairman’s Awards to GHBC Board members Michael Harris and Wayne Luckett

The event’s atmosphere was complimented by live music performances by Nikole Larios and her No Egos Movement band, amid the lavish decorations engineered by Hiram Style.

The GHBC’s next event is the Meet the Board Luncheon scheduled for November 11, 2014.  A complete listing of Chamber events, as well as membership information, is available at GHBCC.com.

 

About the Greater Houston Black Chamber

 

Since 1935, the Greater Houston Black Houston Chamber of Commerce (formerly the Greater Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce) has served as an advocate for African-American business owners and professionals in the Houston area.   Seventy-nine years later, as the city’s first African-American civic organization and the nation’s second oldest African-American Chamber of Commerce, the organization’s mission and vision have flourished, reflecting the needs and growth of its members.  GHBC has provided value to members, area businesses and the community and has remained committed to assisting African-American businesses succeed within the local community.

With much of the nation’s attention focused on the economic state of the country, GHBC has kept the needs of Black business owners on the forefront, proving itself to be a premier organization focused on the prosperity and growth of Black entrepreneurs.  Today, the Chamber remains focused on how to impact and provide advocacy, awareness and access to African-American businesses within the Community.

GHBC is a member of the Texas African-American Association of Chambers of Commerce (TAAACC) which serves as a leading advocate promoting the development and enhancement of local African-American chambers of commerce.  TAAACC interacts directly with the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government to influence public policy. For more information, visit www.ghbcc.com.

###