The Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) recently held its 27th Annual Pinnacle Awards, where some of Houston’s best and most promising Black-owned businesses received high honors.
The GHBC Pinnacle Award recognizes leading African-American entrepreneurs for their success in business and their positive impact on the communities and industries they serve. This year’s theme was “Excellence Has Arrived: Black Businesses Take the Lead.”
The virtual production opened with a performance by popular Houston-based Se7en the Poet and included well wishes from political leaders including Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Missouri City Mayor Robin Elackatt. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green also made remarks.
Songstress Mary Griffin gave a rousing rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady,” and CBS Sports anchor James Brown and Nate Burleson of “CBS This Morning” both made cameo appearances during the awards pre-show online.
Each year, five Pinnacle Awards, one Upstart Award and one Rising Star are handed out to some of the most successful small businesses. The 2021 winners are:
Ernest Walker 
Helen Stagg 
Jerome Love 
Teneshia Hudspeth 
Ruth Simmons 
Lyndsey Brantley 
Lauren Ashley Alexander 
Junious Williams 
Derrel Noris 
Kevan & Ayesha Shelton 
Coach Cam 
Bianca & Carris Carey 
Alexis and Sade Moore
Upstart Award: Grand Park Square
Rising Star Award: Coach Cam
Pinnacle Award: Camellia Alise
Carey Business Solutions
Park Street Homes
Fresh Tech Solutionz
Sisters & Moore
In addition to the prestigious honors, the GHBC honored several other businesses and individuals with community awards including:
Legends Award – Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, president, Prairie View A&M University
Excellence Award – Helen Stagg, president & CEO, Change Happens, Inc.
Larry V. Green Advocate of the Year Award – Jerome Love, president & CEO, Texas Black Expo
Mickey Leland Public Leadership Award – Teneshia Hudspeth, Harris County Clerk
Endurance Award – KTSU-FM
Youth Entrepreneur Award – Lauren Ashley Alexander, 2BooG Beauty
Dale Lockett of KHOU and Jemila Winsey of Re/Max Legacy Living and Re/Max 1st Class served as co-chairs of the event, and Gerald Smith of Smith Graham and the Astros Organization were the honorary co-chairs.