Media Center

NBJC in the News

Juan Battle Reviews "The New Black"
March 9, 2014

This documentary – The New Black – employs the perfect mixture of controversy, conflict, sex, and politics to examine the same-sex marriage debate in the state of Maryland.  All the ingredients are present:  those who support same-sex marriage as well as those who don’t, pastors and political figures, enthusiastic young people committed to ‘change’ as well as older people tied to ‘tradition.’ 
The documentary provides the double entendre of the term “New Black”:  not only that which is current and fashionable, but also new takes on the relationship between Black people and the Black church – the setting where the film couches the debate. 

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Black Legends and Leaders of LGBT Sports
February 28, 2014

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is proud to partner with Athlete Ally to launch a list honoring lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) leaders of color in sports. We composed this list of LGBTQI people of color who have emerged as the leaders and the legends in the global effort for LGBT inclusion in sports.

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Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed Senate Bill 1062!
February 27, 2014

On the evening of Wednesday, February 26, 2014, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer heard us all loud and clear and vetoed Senate Bill 1062! On Monday the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce join forces with fellow organizations from the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC), including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the National Black Justice Coalition, and United States Business Leadership Network: Disability at Work, in sending a strong letter to the Governor demanding the veto and calling on our collective affiliates, corporate partners, and small businesses to follow suit. We asked, you listened and our collective voice was heard!

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President Obama Appoints LGBT Advocate To National Education Commission | Black Enterprise
January 23, 2014

...Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, executive director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, is one of 15 newly appointed members. Since 2009, Lettman-Hicks has headed NBJC, a national civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. NBJC’s mission is to end racism and homophobia. The Washington, DC-based organization was started at a press conference on December 8, 2003. Today, it is a leading national voice on behalf of LGBT persons of color.

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U.S. Will Not Appoint First Black Gay Male Federal Judge
January 9, 2014

In a puzzling turn of events, Judge William Thomas, a judge for Florida’s 11th judicial circuit in Miami-Dade, will not become the United States’ first black, gay male federal judge.  Elected to his current post in 2005, Thomas was first nominated by President Obama in November 2012 to a seat on the Miami-based U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

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NBJC Honors the Life and Service of Nelson Mandela
December 9, 2013

As the world mourns the passing of one of the most beloved figures for peace and equality, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) pauses to honor and celebrate the life and service of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.  His legacy will be remembered as an example of struggle, sacrifice, perseverance and ultimate victory through his passionate belief in the good of the human spirit. 
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Honoring Those Lives Lost - Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20, 2013

On this day, thousands will gather across the globe to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). It is on this day that the world will pause to honor and remember the lives of our loved ones lost due to anti-transgender violence.  Many of those whose names are sounded on this day will never be recognized by the mainstream media--meaning the public outrage over their senseless deaths will never take place. Today, we say their names for the world to hear. Today, we speak out about the heinous crimes being committed against a whole segment of our community. Today, we hold accountable the perpetrators of those crimes, the failed justice system investigating those crimes that are still unsolved, the media outlets that mis-gender and disrespect the victims of those crimes, and society for failing to create safe and affirming climates, thus making such crimes possible and acceptable. 

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Fair Employment Practices: A Broken Bargain for LGBT Workers of Color
November 14, 2013

In my years as an advocate for racial equality, I've heard countless stories from black men, women, and youth about barriers faced in school, college, finding a job, keeping a job, and being treated equally in the workplace. Despite laws that promote equal access to employment and protect workers from unfair practices, black workers can be subjected to hiring bias, unequal pay, and discrimination. We've worked tirelessly to enforce workplace protections so that all black people can have a fair shot at getting ahead.
 
Now, those laws aren't perfect, but imagine if we didn't have them. Imagine if co-workers made disparaging remarks about who you are, what you look like, or whom you love and there was nothing you could do about it. Imagine if you worked just as hard as your colleagues, then one day a new manager walked up and fired you just because you are black, but you didn't have any recourse, either with your supervisor, the human resources manager, or the law.

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Small Business Conference for LGBT Communities Resumes After Government Shutdown
November 5, 2013

 
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Many Faces One Dream LGBT Economic Empowerment Tour for Communities of Color is back on track after being stalled due to the federal government shutdown. Initially set to take place last month, the New York City leg of the 13-city tour will now occur on November 20-21, 2013 at the New York Marriott near the Brooklyn Bridge. MFOD was launched this year to bring focus on innovation and creativity in the small business sphere.
 
“While we were excited and ready to host the MFOD-NYC conference in October, the shutdown of the federal government forced us to postpone our NYC tour stop,” says Sharon J. Lettman Hicks, Executive Director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, the nation’s leading Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.

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Marco Rubio Blocks Gay Black Judge's Nomination To Federal Bench, Puzzling Everyone
September 27, 2013

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has withdrawn his support from a federal judicial nominee that he previously recommended -- William Thomas, a gay black judge from Miami -- and, to the anger and puzzlement of many, is preventing the nomination from moving forward at all.
...Sharon Lettman-Hicks, executive director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, suggested homophobia and racism may be in play.

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