Weekly Wrap-Up: February 5, 2021

The Weekly 

Wrap Up

February 5, 2021

Your MEMBER ONLY email on all things the Chamber worked on this week 

and what you need to know to get the most out of your membership.

Thank you for being a member.

During this time of national crisis, when information and connections are so important, 

the Weekly Wrap-Up will be made available to members and non-members. 

We are here for you and in this together. 

CEO Brief

Our Network Connect AM Brewing Up Business on Thursday morning was the boost I needed to get me through this week. If you have not joined us for one of our Network Connects I hope you will, they really are unique and fun and bring that connection and socializing we are all craving right now. 

We are looking at some really exciting new online event platforms to better your experience, if you have used one you really liked please let me know. There are so many options out there and we want to choose the best for our programming. 

Speaking of programming, if it is a Thursday then we are doing a program! Coming up this Thursday we have an exciting Member Connect where we will be talking about government affairs and lobbying with Schmidt Government Solutions, a certified LGBT business enterprise lobbying firm; and our corporate member Amazon, who works with governments in many ways and stages of their business. I am also looking forward to hearing from  Amazon about the amazing community investments they have announced in Nashville recently. Join us on Thursday, details below. 

Speaking of the legislation, the Tennessee General Assembly is in session and unfortunately taking up anti-LGBT legislation. We should expect to see anti-LGBT bills moving every week now until they adjourn in late May. We need you to stay up to date on what is happening and take action when you can. There is an Action Alert and further information in the Legislative Report below. 

I am sad to not have a Super Bowl party this weekend, the first time in years. I love getting together with lots of friends and eating junk food and watching the commercials and halftime show, the game can be good too. We will still watch but not gather as we are doing our part to not spread the Coronavirus. Officials are worried that Super Bowl parties will be super-spreader events and cause the case to further climb. Do your part and only watch with people in your bubble. 

Stay safe and have fun. Thanks for being a member. 

Coronavirus Response

Mayor John Coopper announced on Monday that Davidson County would reopen Phase 3 on Monday, February 1st. 

Restaurants that do not serve alcohol may now stay open 24 hours. Bars and restaurants with licenses to serve alcohol may stay open until midnight. Sales of alcohol end at 11 p.m. Capacity remains capped at 50% and 8 people per table.

The allowable number of attendees at K-12 sporting events is increased to two attendees per participant. 

Our member Old Town Trolley Tours of Nashville is offering to all police, fire, EMT, and healthcare workers in the state of Tennessee free admission for themselves and a guest now through February 28, 2021. The offer extends for both the Winter Day Tour and the Soul of Music City Night Tour. Reservations are required along with work identification. Read the entire Press Release here.

Legislative Update

The anti-trans student-athlete bill is up in the House K-12 Education Subcommittee on Tuesday. 

SB228/HB3 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Cepicky: This bill repeats the effort to prevent transgender students from participating in high school and middle school sports. It ties a student's gender to the original birth certificate.  The "whereas" clauses attempt to pit transgender people against women's sports.

Our partners at the Tennessee Equality Project have an Action Alert up. Please TAKE ACTION here, NOW. 

There are a number of other bills we are tracking. You can read TEP’s list of anti-LGBT legislation here. We will have a full report next week and will be working closely with our equality coalition members as well and TN Thrives and our business coalition to stop these bills from moving forward or passing. Just the discussion of them harms the state’s image and the ability for businesses to attract, foster, and retain the talent and workforce they need. And at a time of huge economic turmoil brought on by the Coronavirus, the last thing we should do is bring further damage to the economy in the forms of boycotts and loss of business if these bills pass. 

New and Renewing MEMBERS!

We are so proud of the continued participation from the following businesses who RENEWED or upgraded their membership this week. Please support these businesses!

• SILVER: Clean Eatz (upgraded from Copper membership)
• Copper: Diskin Cider
• Networking: Daniel Hare (Interfaith Dental)

What We Did

We had a great crowd at this week's AM Brewing Up Business! We saw old friends, new members, and future members! You can catch up with the program of announcements here. As we approach the one-year mark of the lockdown, it is so important to stay connected. The Chamber will continue to be here for you. If you haven't taken advantage of our virutal programs, now is the time! Check out our calendar here.

Monday marked the start of Black History Month. We will keep you connected to opportunities throughout the month. Nashville Black Pride's LGBTQ+ Black History Program and the Black LGBTQ Community Survey Report are highlighted below!

Connections

Nashville Black Pride is joining up with OutSpoken to broadcast a podcast on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 7pm for National Black History Month. Join Facebook Live for "The Non-Profits and Advocates Behind the Flow". This project is looking for LGBTQ Businesses to send a commercial/video to advertise your business and speakers, poets, and politicians to join the conversation. Reach out to Mac Huffington to get involved!

The Center for Black Equity (CBE) and Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) have released the Black LGBTQ Community Survey results, in recognition of Black History Month, February 2021. The 72-page report on the issues concerning Black LGBTQ Americans is available for free download here. You can read the official Press Release here. 

Nashville Pride is seeking its inaugural Executive Director who share the vision and mission of their organization and can help create organizational structure while maintaining the responsibility for the financial and operational stability and programmatic success of the organization. Are you looking for employment? Do you know someone perfect for the job? Apply for this position here.

One of our newest members Shakti Power Yoga has an incredible opportunity for the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community. Find information about their Virtual Yoga Teacher Tranining Progam and scholarship opportunities here.

Member Benefit Check-In

We encourage our members to truly maximize your membership by taking advantage of benefits. 

Have you looked at our new Member Portal? Take some time to log in and look at the new features. The Forum is a perfect place to start or contribute to a number of discussions. 

Reach out to Lauren if you have any questions!

Titanium Member

Platinum Members

Gold Members