National Black Justice Collective to Honor Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Baltimore Safe Haven’s Iya Dammons, Dr. Martens Foundation at OUT On The Hill
Rustin-Murray Advocate for Justice Awards Celebrates Community Leaders, Allies, and Collective Power
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, September 17th, the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) will host its annual OUT On The Hill (OOTH) Reception during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, bringing together Black LGBTQ+/same-gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) young and emerging professionals, elected and appointed leaders, advocates, and movement partners to build community, forge connections, and strengthen collective power.
RSVP to attend OUT on the Hill
The reception will feature NBJC’s Bayard Rustin-Pauli Murray Advocates for Justice Awards, honoring leaders and organizations whose work embodies the legacies of Bayard Rustin and Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to equity and liberation for Black LGBTQ+/SGL people.
This year’s honorees include:
- Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has been a leading congressional advocate for racial, economic, reparative, gender, and LGBTQ+ justice, including her work to advance H.R. 40, which would establish a federal commission to study and develop reparations proposals for African Americans, the introduction of the first gender neutral reproductive health bill in Congress, and the codification of mandatory equity plans and implementation for every federal agency.
- Iya Dammons, founder and CEO of Baltimore Safe Haven, whose work provides critical resources, support, and community for transgender people in Baltimore and across the region, with a particular focus on Black transgender people and others navigating housing insecurity and systemic barriers.
- Dr. Martens Foundation, whose grant support has helped power NBJC programs including the Digital Action Hub, Equity Week, OUT on the Hill, and the Black Institute, is investing directly in programs that build community, develop leaders, and advance equity for Black LGBTQ+/SGL people.
OUT On The Hill is a signature NBJC convening designed to ensure Black LGBTQ+/SGL voices and priorities are represented during one of the nation’s most significant gatherings of Black political and civic leadership. This year’s reception will provide space for authentic community building, strategic networking, and celebration of leaders advancing justice for Black LGBTQ+/SGL communities.
WHO: National Black Justice Collective; U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley; Iya Dammons; Dr. Martens Foundation; Black LGBTQ+/SGL elected and appointed leaders, advocates, emerging professionals, and community members
WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2026 — 6:00 – 9:00 PM ET
WHERE: The Human Rights Campaign Equality Forum, 1640 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20036
“OUT On The Hill has always been about ensuring Black LGBTQ+/same-gender loving people are not simply present in the rooms where decisions are made, but that our voices, experiences, and leadership help shape what happens in them,” said Dr. David J. Johns, CEO & Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective. “This year, we are proud to honor leaders doing the work to move all of us closer to freedom. At a moment when so many of our hard-won rights are under attack, gathering in community, investing in the next generation of leaders, and celebrating those who continue to push us forward is especially important.”