The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) proudly presents the 5th annual Audre Lorde Wisdom Awards commemorating National LGBTQ+ Elders Day on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 1 pm EST. This signature event is an opportunity for our community to virtually honor iconic, Black LGBTQ+/SGL women and femme elders and celebrate the process of aging while sharing the wisdom accrued by our elders. This year, we honor Black women who have blazed trails in their careers, communities, and nationally.
Watch The 2025 Audre Lorde Wisdom Awards!
Our Honorees
Rev. Dr. Debra Hopkins
Dr. Debra Hopkins is a Spiritual Leader, Ordained Minister, and Founder of There’s Still Hope. There’s Still Hope is a trans-led nonprofit that actively supports and advocates for transgender and nonbinary individuals experiencing homelessness, providing them with mentorship and education. She is known for her online ministry, Essentials for Life Ministry, which promotes relationships with God across all identities, regardless of gender or race. Her memoir, Not Until You Have Walked in My Shoes, chronicles her journey of gender identity and exploration, resonating with many who seek to understand themselves. Her story was featured in the documentary Proper Pronouns, highlighting the importance of advocating for marginalized voices in religious spaces. Her engagement in ministry and advocacy; including the successful fight to repeal North Carolina’s anti-Black, anti-trans, anti-worker, and anti-environment law HB2, reflects her deep commitment to inclusivity and empowerment of all individuals.
Michelle Parkerson
Michelle Parkerson is an award-winning Filmmaker and Activist. With over 40 years at the forefront of African American lesbian and gay activism, Michelle is an acclaimed filmmaker whose works amplify the voices and stories of marginalized groups. She directed the impactful documentary A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde, which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Michelle has engaged in significant cultural collaborations, helping to create and promote spaces for artistic expression among Black LGBTQ+ artists. Her artistic endeavors include producing performances and exhibitions that challenge societal norms and foster a deeper understanding of the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. As an educator, she has contributed to programs at institutions like Temple University, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers and artists committed to social justice.
Pat Martin
Pat Martin is the CEO of HarlemYES Inc. and an Activist. Pat is the CEO of HarlemYES Inc., a community-based organization that works to identify and serve the needs of marginalized populations through empowerment and education. Her activism is particularly noted within the LGBTQ+ community. She has organized successful programs servicing community youth and seniors, such as NYC Black Pride’s Women’s Forum. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the Arturo Schomburg Democratic Club, where she chairs the LGBTQ Committee. There, she promotes initiatives that advocate for community and political engagement. Through her grassroots efforts, Pat has established significant programs, including the Harlem Youth Entrepreneurial Summit, which aims to foster economic opportunities for local youth and powerful programming centering masculine of center lesbians. Her commitment to community building and activism has solidified her leadership role in East Harlem and throughout the country.
Senator Pat Spearman
Senator and Pastor Pat Spearman is a Politician, Cleric, and Veteran. A groundbreaking figure, Senator Pat Spearman is the first openly lesbian member of the Nevada Legislature, having been elected in 2012. Known for her strong advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice, she has also introduced significant legislation to achieve equal pay for women, to support veterans, and to kick off the modern fight to make the Equal Rights Amendment the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with 29 years of service, Pat combines her military experience with her commitment to public service, focusing on issues that affect vulnerable populations. Dr. Spearman holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Doctorate in Business Administration, and remains active in various legislative committees that address crucial issues, such as healthcare, labor, and veterans’ affairs.
Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale
Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale is a Speaker, Author, and a groundbreaking leader in corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has over 46 years of experience promoting corporate environments, prioritizing equity and cultural understanding. As the former Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Campbell Soup Company, MTV Network, and in a similar role at what is now Hewlett-Packard, she implemented pioneering strategies that set benchmarks for inclusive practices in the corporate sector. Rosalyn founded her consulting firm, the R. T. O’Neale Group, where she advises organizations on developing and executing effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Her extensive speaking engagements and workshops have educated audiences on the importance of intersectional awareness in race, culture, and sexual orientation. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America, Top Executives in Diversity, 100 Top Executives in America, and the Top 100 Most Influential LGBT People, Rosalyn continues to advocate for equity and justice within corporate spaces.
Ruby Sales
Ruby Sales is a Social Activist, Educator, and Organizer. She is renowned as a courageous and dedicated civil rights activist, having served in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) as a freedom fighter during the civil rights movement. In 1991, she founded Women of All Colors, a nonprofit focused on improving the lives of women of color and their communities. She is the founder and CEO of the SpiritHouse Project, which aims to achieve social and economic justice while fostering spiritual growth in marginalized communities. Her work, particularly on race, class, and equity, positions her as a significant advocate for historically excluded groups within broader societal frameworks. Ruby’s impact has been recognized through various awards, including receiving the keys to the city of Selma, Alabama, for her lifetime of advocacy. Ruby also wrote the history correcting record of Southern Black same-gender loving women trailblazers from the Harlem Renaissance era, such as Lucy Diggs Slowe and her partner Mary Powell Burrill, in the landmark essay Keeping It Real: Our Southern Sisters Loving Each Other.
Sonya Shields
Sonya Shields is a Human Rights Activist, and Fundraising and Development Leader. Sonya co-founded the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), which advocates for the civil rights of the Black LGBTQ+ community and has made significant strides in social justice. With over 27 years of experience, she has played a vital role in nonprofit development and communications, empowering organizations to effectively push for equity and justice. Currently serving as the Executive Director at Cause Effective, Sonya focuses on strategic initiatives that advocate for social change and equitable resource allocation. She is a national figure in the nonprofit field, often speaking on advocacy, equity, and the necessity of inclusivity in all sectors.
Dr. Sylvia Rhue
Dr. Rhue is a Writer, Social Justice Activist, Religious Intellectual, Filmmaker, and Producer. She is a trailblazer in human sexuality and LGBTQ+ advocacy, being the first Black recipient of a Doctorate in Human Sexuality. She co-created the transformative documentary All God’s Children, focusing on LGBTQ+ rights and issues within the Black community. As an early member of the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, she led several initiatives to advance rights for LGBTQ+ individuals. In 2003, she became the Director of Religious Affairs at the National Black Justice Coalition, further supporting the intersection of faith and social justice for Black LGBTQ+ individuals. Her extensive career includes serving as the Assistant Director of Counseling at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, where she worked on policy advocacy, and as a manager for the California Freedom to Marry Coalition to defeat Proposition 8.
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