Media Center

NBJC in the News

President Obama dropped in on a meeting with African American leaders at the White House Thursday to discuss his "plan to strengthen the economy for the middle class and continue to build ladders of opportunity for those striving to get there," the White House said. Among the attendees were the Rev. Al Sharpton, NAACP president Ben Jealous, and Avis Jones-DeWeever, executive director of the National Council of Negro Women.

Read more >

President Obama met Thursday with leaders of the NAACP, the National Black Justice Coalition, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and other prominent social justice groups largely focused on the needs of African-Americans.

Read more >

In honor of Black History Month, NBJC Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks appeared on Sheila Alexander-Reid Live, hosted by D.C. activist Sheila Alexander-Reid. Lettman-Hicks discussed the state of the Black LGBT movement, Obama's inaugural address, Bayard Rustin's legacy and more. Sheila Alexander-Reid Live is D.C.'s only LGBT FM radio show. The program offers an LGBT perspective on an array of topics. 

Read more >

In a guest post for the Human Rights Campaign, NBJC Programs and Outreach Associate Je-Shawna Wholley commemorates Black History Month. She writes:  "If I had to articulate what makes this year’s Black History Month special to me, I would say that this year I have the opportunity to fight for equality for black people for a living. It was through my work with NBJC where I witnessed the efforts to debunk the myth that African Americans are more homophobic than any other race. I was a part of the efforts to showcase that black LGBT youth are philanthropic as we watch more and more black LGBT emerging leaders make an investment in NBJC. In my work, I get to see black LGBT people come together and make history every day; and that is truly an honor."

Read more >

Still, it is true that black homophobia is too often present in black churches across America, so it is good that faith leaders began playing active roles in advocacy organizations such as the National Black Justice Coalition, GLAAD, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, the Human Rights Campaign and Many Voices. Black theologians and social justice advocates strengthened their long-standing work within the black community and among black churches. This allowed us to be visible and to challenge the misconception that LGBT issues don’t affect communities of color and people of faith.

Read more >

The National Black Justice Coalition wants people to be mindful that it is a black president that has been the most LGBT-supportive president ever and that it is time to undo the “black versus gay narrative” that has played out for years. “Gay people, you need to understand black people and listen to them and reach out to them,” Lettman-Hicks said, adding that black LGBT people have a 36 percent unemployment rate compared to the national 8 percent. Meaningful justice recognizes cultural differences, she added.

Read more >

Our airwaves, front pages and social media feeds have been dominated by coverage of the presidential inauguration. From Michelle Obama's impeccable ensemble to Beyoncé Knowles' rendition of the national anthem, critics have been dissecting and distorting the events of the historic day, including President Barack Obama's reference to "Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall" in his inaugural speech.

Read more >

The National Black Justice Coalition representative said the DC group has brought Shaw's case to the attention of the U.S. Justice Department, and the Executive Director of Equality Maryland said that this incident shows that the LGBT community's woes don't end with the passage of Gay Marriage. “We have plenty of work to do on the ground level, and we are committed to eliminating this level of hateful violence in every dark corner and alley of this city, state and country,” said Ms. Evans. “You are not a victim brother Kenny, you were victimized; yet, you stand here in triumph today conquering your attackers and bringing a voice to the voiceless of this city!” [said] Michael Brewer, NBJC.

Read more >

Activists, public officials and residents gathered Saturday outside an east Baltimore liquor store — where a man was severely beaten on Christmas Day — to protest violent attacks on gay people. Representatives from the National Black Justice Coalition, a civil rights organization that campaigns against homophobia, said the group had brought Shaw's case to the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice as an example of the "crisis of violence" affecting black gay people.

Read more >

Earlier this month — December 17th, 2012 — was the 10th annual International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers, a day for mourning and solidarity for Ridgway's victims and all sex workers who have been murdered or harmed. It's also a day for acknowledging and addressing the structural violence that we live with, as sex workers and in all of our communities.

Read more >