12 Dec Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Honors 2025 Award Winners
Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Honors 2025 Award Winners
Presenting Sponsor inKind Presents Inaugural inKind Hospitality Award to El Raval
AUSTIN, TX — The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2025 Business of Pride Gala award winners, including the recipient of the inaugural inKind Hospitality Award, presented by inKind, the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Gala. The event, held Saturday, December 6, brought together more than 400 business and community leaders to celebrate the power of the LGBTQ+ economy and recognize outstanding leadership across Central Texas.
El Raval Receives the First-Ever inKind Hospitality Award
The award was created by the Business of Pride Presenting Sponsor inKind to recognize a venue that consistently demonstrates inclusive leadership, enriches our community through collaboration and civic engagement, as well as by enhancing and elevating Austin’s overall hospitality profile.
In addition to these qualities, this distinction identifies a restaurant, bar, or café that actively adopts practices that create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ guests and staff as well as the community at large, and in so doing strengthens our local economy.
The recipient of this year’s award embodies all of these values. The winner is also a concept with well-earned critical reviews—it is a place where hospitality is natural and effortless and where our community feels seen as well as nourished.
Under the leadership of Executive Chef Laila Bazahm, her wife and co-founder Laura Freedman, and General Manager Derrick Mangroo, El Raval brings together culinary traditions inspired by Barcelona, North Africa, and Asia, broadening Austin’s culinary landscape while remaining deeply rooted in inclusion, creativity, and care.
It is a privilege to present the first-ever inKind Hospitality Award to… El Raval: Laila Bazahm, Laura Friedman, and Derrick Mangroo.”
El Raval’s thoughtful approach to inclusive hospitality, bold culinary creativity, and deep community engagement represents the very best of Austin’s restaurant and cultural landscape.
2025 Business of Pride Award Winners
The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce proudly recognizes the following honorees for their exceptional contributions to business, culture, and community:
Ceci Gratias Guardian (Non-Profit) Award
🏆 Round Rock Pride
Health & Wellness Award
🏆 Avita Pharmacy
Community Leader Award
🏆 Veterans for Equality
Pride in Leadership Award
🏆 D’Lanie Bockholt
Pride in Government Award
🏆 Honorable Denise Hernández, Judge,
County Court #6
Rising Star Award
🏆 Carly Jenkins, JP Morgan, Private Bank
LGBTQ+ Business of the Year
🏆 dozanü innovations
Allied Business of the Year
🏆 CCRM Fertility (Austin)
Corporate Partner of the Year
🏆 H-E-B
Creative Arts Award
🏆 ACL Live
Small Town Big Pride Award
🏆 Barbs B Q
Award finalists include: Meals on Wheels Central Texas, Equality Texas, LGPOA Austin, Round Rock Pride, Avita Pharmacy, Texas Health Action, Gorg Wellness & Aesthetics, Austin Regional Clinic, Veterans for Equality, Syd Young, Rachel Smith, Richard Parsons, Dr. Antoinette Moore, D’Lanie Bockholt, Eve Molnar, Honorable Denise Hernandez, Miriam Laeky, Council Member Zo Qadri, Dottie Watkins, Alberto Gonzalez, Cat Ridge, Madeline Newlands, Carly Jenkins, The Elevated Bear, El Raval, dozanü innovations, Satin Wedding Co, CCRM Fertility, Wheelhouse Learning Solutions, Ally Medical, Canopy by Hilton Austin Downtown, Dell Technologies, PMI, Justworks, H-E-B, OUTlaw Pride, Austin Rainbow Theatre, ACL Live, Long Center, Beerburg Events, Old Pal Texas Tavern, Calvary Episcopal Church, and Barbs B Q.
For a full list of the award finalists 👉 austinlgbtbiz.com/bizofpride-awards
“This year’s honorees represent the brilliance, resilience, and economic power of our LGBTQ+ community. Their leadership strengthens small businesses, uplifts the creative economy, and ensures Austin remains a place where everyone can thrive,” said Colton Ashabranner, Interim CEO. “This year’s honorees represent the brilliance, resilience, and economic power of our LGBTQ+ community. Their leadership strengthens small businesses, uplifts the creative economy, and ensures Austin remains a place where everyone can thrive.”
2025 Legacy Award – Honoring Tina Cannon
The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce proudly presented the 2025 Legacy Award to Outgoing CEO Tina Cannon, whose decade of visionary leadership transformed the Chamber into a powerful force for economic inclusion and LGBTQ+ business success across Central Texas.
“On behalf of the Chamber staff and board, both past and present, we extend our deepest gratitude for your incredible contributions, innovations, and leadership. Your dedication has created a lasting impact on our organization and a profound legacy that will never be forgotten,” Chamber staff said.
Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor – inKind
VIP Sponsors – Austin Energy, H-E-B, CapMetro, Latham & Watkins, A+FCU
Table Sponsors – Ally Medical, Dell Technologies, ACL Live, Visit Austin, Texas Health Action, Austin Transit Partnership, UFCU, Samsung, Justworks, Hilton Austin, KUT, KUTX, Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Texas Mutual, Avita Pharmacy, Austin Regional Clinic, JP Morgan, Vivent Health, PMI, Denise Hernandez, Frost, Austin Chamber
In-Kind Sponsorships – Canopy by Hilton Austin Downtown, Encore, Cicada, Espolon Tequila, Skyy Vodka, Satin Wedding Co.
Wine Sponsor – Twin Liquors
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About the Business of Pride Gala
The Business of Pride Gala is the Austin LGBT Chamber’s largest annual fundraiser, supporting year-round programming, small business advocacy, and scholarships through the Austin LGBT Chamber Education Fund. This year’s theme, “Money, Honey! Queeronomics,” celebrated the strength and influence of the LGBTQ+ economy across Central Texas.
About the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1997, the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce serves as Central Texas’ largest hub for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses and organizations. The Chamber’s mission is to empower and strengthen the LGBTQIA+ business community and its allies through marketing, education, and community development.
As the oldest LGBTQ+ chamber in Texas, the Austin LGBT Chamber represents hundreds of small businesses, corporations, and nonprofit members committed to championing equality and diversity in the workplace. The Chamber hosts more than 70 events annually, advocates for economic opportunity and workplace inclusion, and fuels the next generation through the Austin LGBT Chamber Education Fund.