Houston, TX — August 28, 2025. The Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) marked the beginning of its 28th Annual Pinnacle Awards season with an elegant Kickoff Reception at Amegy Tower. The event, held before a dynamic audience of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders, set the stage for a season of celebration, recognition, and renewed commitment to Black business excellence in Houston.
The Pinnacle Awards, last held in person in 2019, remain the Chamber’s signature event. Founded in 1935 as the Houston Negro Chamber of Commerce, GHBC is the second-oldest Black chamber of commerce in the nation. This 90th Anniversary celebration carries historic significance, honoring a legacy of Black business leadership while advancing a future built on resilience, innovation, and economic empowerment.
“This year, as we celebrate our 90th Anniversary, we honor the extraordinary legacy of the Greater Houston Black Chamber and the history of those who built the foundation we stand on today,” said Dr. Asheli S. Atkins, President & CEO of the Greater Houston Black Chamber. “The Pinnacle Awards are about more than recognition; they are about lifting up the stories of resilience, innovation, and excellence that define our past and shape the future of Black business in Houston.”
Honoring Icons and Introducing New Awards
The Kickoff Reception also served as a poignant moment to honor two of Houston’s most enduring public servants: the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and the late Mayor Sylvester Turner. In recognition of their decades of unwavering service, GHBC announced two new awards that will bear their names, cementing their legacies within Houston’s Black business and civic communities. The Sheila Jackson Lee Legends Award and the Sylvester Turner Excellence Award will now stand as annual tributes to leaders whose courage, vision, and advocacy uplift the region.
In addition to these new honors, GHBC presented the Larry V. Green Advocate of the Year Award to Mayor Pro Tem and City Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum, highlighting her tireless commitment to advancing opportunity and equity across Houston.
Celebrating Finalists and Emerging Leaders
This year’s Pinnacle season brings a diverse slate of finalists across multiple award categories. The Pinnacle Awards, GHBC’s signature recognition for established Black-owned businesses, announced finalists for the following categories:
Pinnacle Award Finalists
- Ark of Safety Security Solutions
- Black Orchids PR
- Boatner Logistics
- Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
- CTM Unlimited
- Heist Agency
- Medley Inc.
- Minty Educational Services
- The Slippery Soap
- Troy B. Smith Professional Services
Endurance Award Finalists
- Firstline Brands
- IMPACT Strategies Consultants, LLC
Mickey Leland Public Leadership Award Finalists
- Houston Minority Supplier Development Council
- Suits for Success Houston
- Tech Fest Live
- Juneteenth Houston
- Harris Health
Mack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Award Finalists
- Window Hero West Houston
- W Johnson Consulting, LLC
- Botany Wellness
- That Time of the Month Club
- Collinnova
- Shalom Analytics & Consulting
A Season of Wealth and Celebration
GHBC is also using its 90th year to “redefine member value” by modernizing programming, expanding strategic alliances, and re-engaging the business community with innovative resources for sustainable growth. For the first time, the Pinnacle Celebration has expanded to a multi-day experience designed to empower and inspire.
The Pinnacle Wealth Forum: Wealth Reimagined will take place Friday, October 31, 2025, at Rice University’s Anderson-Clarke Center presented by H-E-B. This one-day forum will feature workshops and expert panels on investing, real estate, estate planning, and raising capital for business. Attendees will also experience the Lender Matchmaker Lounge, connecting directly with lenders ready to fund entrepreneurial visions. A College Edition will provide students and young professionals with tools to build wealth in investing, real estate, creator economy, debt management, and using AI to navigate wealth.
The Pinnacle Awards Gala will be held Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Bayou City Events Center. This marquee event will gather Houston’s business, civic, and community leaders to celebrate the winners, honor 90 years of GHBC’s impact, and uplift the spirit of Black enterprise.
The Greater Houston Black Chamber appreciates the support of our sponsors including H-E-B, Mastercard, Wells Fargo, Rice University, United Airlines, UH Downtown, Texas Business Leaders Alliance, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Amegy Bank, AshBritt, JP Morgan Chase, Port Houston, Ken Jones Photography, Strategic Financial Group, Wealth Development Strategies, Wells Fargo, Unity National Bank, PNC, Prosperity, Frost Bank, Woodforest National Bank, Texas First Bank, Wallis Bank, Sysco and Fredrick G. Turner, Jr. Tax & Accounting.
For more information about Greater Houston Black Chamber’s Pinnacle Wealth Forum and Award Gala and to register, please visit Pinnacle Celebration.
