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Media Releases

NBJC Endorses U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson’s Inclusive Campuses Act
September 26, 2016 03:03 PM

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, wholeheartedly endorses H.R. 6164, the Inclusive Campuses Act of 2016, which was introduced today by U.S. Representative Hank Johnson (GA-4). If passed into law, this measure would promote inclusion and empowerment of LGBTQ people at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority serving institutions. This federal legislation would take a critical step forward by authorizing Title III education funds to establish campus resource centers that provide support for LGBTQ students as well as programming resources and education about LGBTQ people to the entire campus community at our nation’s HBCUs and other minority serving institutions. 

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NBJC Salutes HIV Advocate Daniel Driffin on Speaking Role at 2016 Democratic National Convention
July 27, 2016 11:03 AM

Washington, DC – Today, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, salutes Daniel Driffin of NBJC’s 100 Black LGBTQ/SGL Emerging Leaders to Watch (100toWatch) Inaugural Cohort for being selected to speak at the 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia, PA. Daniel will take the convention stage tonight to speak to his experience as a person living with HIV and the need for greater awareness and access to care for those disproportionately impacted by the disease, especially in communities of color. Daniel’s speech will be the first time that an openly HIV positive speaker will address the DNC since 2004.

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NBJC Statement on Recent Tragedies in America & Aftermath
July 11, 2016 10:47 AM

Washington, DC – Today, the Executive Director & CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, released the following statement:

“As we grieve and pray for the families of Alton Sterling of Baton Rouge, LA, Philando Castile of Falcon Heights, MN, and the five police officers lost to senseless gun violence in Dallas, TX this past week, NBJC acknowledges the pain and suffering many Americans, but specifically Black Americans, are feeling during this time. Our hearts are broken because once again we have to face the reality that being Black in America—more often than most—equates to being accused of suspicion and ill-intent. At the same time, the movement to bring about liberation for Black people continues to be propagated as anti-American and anti-police, when in reality it simply demands we be treated with the dignity and respect accorded to all human beings—one of the most fundamental American values there is.

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NBJC Announces Program Manager for HBCU Initiatives
July 7, 2016 09:23 AM

Washington, DC – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, is proud to announce the expansion of its Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) LGBT-Equality Initiative  with the creation of a new leadership role—Program Manager for HBCU Initiatives. Trinice J. McNally, MS, an alumna of Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU), will take on this new role working to foster inclusive and supportive climates for LGBT, queer and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people at our nation’s HBCUs.

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NBJC Responds to the Orlando Pulse Nightclub Shooting
June 12, 2016 02:05 PM

Washington, DC – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is beyond devastated and saddened by the tragic shooting massacre at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida early this morning. Reports currently state that 50 people are dead and at least 53 injured in the deadliest shooting in American history after a gunman took hostages overnight inside this local community club catering to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

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NBJC Recognizes 2016 National LGBT Health Awareness Week
March 30, 2016 09:18 AM

Washington, DC – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is proud to join the National Coalition for LGBT Health and other partner organizations during the 14th Annual National LGBT Health Awareness Week, March 28-April 1. This week is dedicated to bringing to light the healthcare challenges that impact the overall health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Utilizing the 2016 theme, “OUTvisible: Redefining Stigma in LGBT Healthcare from Invisible to OUTVisible,” this week’s activities will focus heavily on combatting stigma and the ways in which it hinders LGBT people from getting tested and treated for STDs like HIV, overall PrEP usage, and mental health screenings, in addition to discrimination when accessing healthcare.

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NBJC Statement on the Departure of White House ONAP Director, Douglas Brooks
March 25, 2016 09:34 AM

Washington, DC – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) released the following statements in response to the announcement that White House Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP), Douglas Brooks, will be leaving the Obama Administration: “After two incredible years of leading our nation’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, the NBJC family is saddened to learn that Director Douglas Brooks will be leaving the Obama Administration...."

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Karamo Brown Joins NBJC as National Health & Wellness Ambassador
February 21, 2016 08:08 PM

Washington, DC – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, is enthused to announce television host and reality TV star Karamo Brown as its new National Health and Wellness Ambassador. Karamo will also serve as a national spokesperson for the organization’s upcoming Historically Black Colleges And Universities (HBCU) Health and Wellness (H&W) Tour.

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NBJC Expands Health & Wellness Initiatives with New Leadership Role

November 24, 2015 02:27 AM

Washington, DC – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, is proud to announce the expansion of the Black LGBT Health & Wellness Initiative with the creation of new role of LGBT Health Initiatives Program Officer. Former NBJC Events & Operations Manager, Venton C. Jones, will take on this new role and execute an institutional priority of the organization. As the Program Officer of LGBT Health Initiatives, Venton will lead NBJC’s advocacy and programmatic efforts to improve the overall health and wellness of the Black LGBT and same gender loving population in our nation. 

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Our 100 to Watch are Coming OUT!
October 10, 2015 10:17 AM

In recognition of National Coming OUT Day 2015 on Sunday, October 11, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is proud to launch 100toWatch.org, the central hub for the 2015-16 Inaugural Cohort of 100 Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender non-conforming and/or same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) Emerging Leaders to Watch (#100toWatch). These inspirational leaders, ages 18-30 at the time of their selection, represent the next generation of freedom fighters--already on the frontlines in their communities--working to build a brighter future for all people. They have a mission to bring voice, take action and build networks within the Black LGBTQ/SGL populace by owning their power!

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