Grants To Go

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Grants To Go

Orlando restaurant recipients of the 2023 NGLCC Community Impact Grant Awards and a special presentation in recognition of 2023 Transgender Awareness Week and National Entrepreneurship Month celebrated at Pride Chamber luncheon.

BY JOHN SOTOMAYOR PHOTOS BY AJ SOMEILLAN/SOMEILLAN ENTERTAINMENT

On December 7, 2023, the Pride Chamber Inc. held a ceremonial reception in honor of the restaurant recipients of the 2023 NGLCC Community Impact Grant Awards. The NGLCC Community Impact Grant Program is supported by the Grubhub Community Fund.

According to the NGLCC website description of their program’s initiatives, the NGLCC and the Grubhub Community Fund “have come together to provide vital assistance to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, bars serving food, and other eating establishments.” The initiative trickled down to all local chambers of the National LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). Each local chamber notifies their members of the available grant. In this case, the Pride Chamber, under the direction of then interim president/ CEO, Thor Falk, and chairperson, Denise Meritt, informed the qualifying restaurant members of the grant. Five members each received $5,000 from the Grubhub Community Fund, thanks to the NGLCC initiative.

According to the Grubhub website, the Community Fund was established in 2020 to assist restaurants that were hit with other hospitality businesses the hardest by the pandemic of Covid-19. “The Grubhub Community Fund has given more than $65 million to Charitable organizations and communities worldwide.”

Among the four recipients in Orlando in 2023 were: Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille, Se7enbites, Savoy Orlando, and Hungry Pants. All have attended the luncheon held in their honor except for Hungry Pants, which has since, unfortunately, closed.

Here are the three businesses who participated in the luncheon:

Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille

Owner(s): John Paonessa and Mike Rogier

Business Location: 110 W. Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801

Contact Information: Johnpaonessa@gmail.com / 954-608-0782 / Hamburgermarys.com/Orlando

Business Description: Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille has been a staple in the Orlando community since 2008. We serve some of the best burgers in town but are equally known for our top-notch entertainment.

We pride ourselves on being a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and have won many awards over the years for our contribution to the community.

Se7enBites

Owner(s): Chef Trina Gregory

Business Location: 617 N Primrose Dr, Orlando Fl 32803, In The Milk District

Contact Information: Info@se7enbites.com / 407-2030727 / www.se7enbites.com

Business Description: Our business specializes in Southern Comfort Food and Nostalgic Baked Goods with a modern twist!! We love taking family recipes and making them for the masses! We have award winning Chicken & Wafes and can’t wait to fill your pie hole!

SAVOY Orlando

Owner(s): Brandon Llewellyn

Business Location: 1913 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804

Contact Information: 407.270.4685 / brandonsavoyorl@gmail.com / www.savoyorlando.com/ Business Description: Established in 2004 and located in downtown Orlando, Ivanhoe Village Neighborhood, Savoy Orlando provides a safe and welcoming space for everyone to gather and celebrate with a stylish interior and chic ambiance that appeals to a diverse crowd. In

addition to its vibrant nightlife, Savoy Orlando also hosts a variety of events and themed nights throughout the week. From karaoke nights and DJ performances, there’s always something happening to keep the party going. Multi-roomed with lively go-go dancers and drag shows, billiards, TVs and outdoor patio, with a daily happy hour. Never a cover, always a good time, 7 nights a week, every day of the year.

Source: Savoy Orlando website and ivanhoevillage.org

In addition to the recognition of the restaurant recipients of the 2023 NGLCC Community Impact Grant Awards, the Pride Chamber luncheon also held a special presentation in recognition of 2023 Transgender Awareness Week and National Entrepreneurship Month, with a $1,000 grant presented to Jessica Dawson, co-founder of FISK Mobile Tipping. Like each of the NGLCC Community Impact Grant Awards recipients, Dawson was provided a chance to present her business concept.

Here is a brief overview of FISK, and its parent company, 55th Degree, Inc.

55th Degree, Inc.

Owner(s): Majority stakeholder – Jessica Dawson

Business Location: Orlando, Florida

Contact Information: Jessica@55thdegree.com / 321231-5926 / www.fiskmobile.tech

Business Description: The team at 55th Degree, Inc. are working tirelessly to bring something that is needed to assist our friends and family in the service industry. FISK: Mobile Tipping might have been a dream, but we are so close to making that dream come to life. Assisting others is why we are here, and designing something from scratch to assist the people who need assistance finding the path to financial freedom keeps us motivated. The passion has been there since the beginning, and I won’t stop until the dream has been fulfilled. I dream big, plan, strategize, and we will execute no matter what!

What Grubhub Community Fund Means to Them

“The Grubhub Community Impact award was very special to us, as it recognizes the work we have done for the community and also our lawsuit filed against the State of Florida for their law which is trying to erase the LGBTQIA+ community including drag performers and trans members.”

—John Paonessa, owner of Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille “Not only am I overwhelmed with the generosity of Grubhub and this grant taking care of restaurants and their staff ….. the entire staff is grateful for opportunities this extra money has afforded our little slice of heaven!”

—Chef Trina Gregory, owner of Se7enbites

What NGLCC and Their Program Initiatives Mean to Them

“The NGLCC has such an important job with their support of the LGBTQIA+ community, and their work on certifying LGBTQ+ owned businesses. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to the community.”

—John Paonessa, owner of Hamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille “Always in awe of the work the NGLCC does on behalf of LGBTQ business owners I am proud to be a member of the community and so proud of the work our local chapter does for our beloved Orlando. Thank you will never feel big enough!”

—Chef Trina Gregory, owner of Se7enbites

What the Transgender Grant and the Pride Chamber Mean to Her

“Heartfelt gratitude isn't enough to express what you mean to me. In this world, LGBTQ+ businesses like mine need more than just customers – we need champions, and you are ours. Your unwavering support, fierce advocacy, and genuine connection have become a lifeline, not just for my business, but for my spirit. As a trans woman, knowing you have my back feels like the entire community surrounds me. You've helped us build a chosen family, standing strong and rising together. Thank you for being the beacon of hope and the architects of a future where every LGBTQ+ business can thrive.”

—Jessica Dawson, Co-founder of FISK Mobile Tipping and owner of 55th Degree Inc.