Hundreds of Black LGBT Leaders and Activists to Convene in Nation’s Capital
Washington, D.C. – August 29, 2012 – On September 19-22, over 200 Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders and activists from across the country will gather in the nation's capital for the National Black Justice Coalition's (NBJC) 3rd annual OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit. OUT on the Hill attendees will participate in an inspiring week of discussion, strategizing and organizing as well as educating congressional leaders and federal agencies about Black LGBT public policy concerns. Openly gay ESPN/CNN columnist and commentator LZ Granderson serves as the 2012 OUT on the Hill national chair.
This year, NBJC has organized a robust agenda of several groundbreaking events, including its now annual LGBT-themed Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF-ALC) Issue Forum where a panel of media experts will discuss how advancements in LGBT equality have affected Black America and the media landscape as well as a national town hall meeting to address the epidemic of murders of transgender women of color. NBJC will also convene its Black LGBT Leaders Day at the White House, which will include presentations from the Obama Administration, and an Issue Advocacy Day, which continues to serve as an opportunity for Black LGBT leaders to engage with their members of Congress.
Last year, speakers and panelists included White House senior advisor, Valerie Jarrett; Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh; author of the children’s book My Princess Boy, Cheryl Kilodavis; mother and activist, Sirdeaner Walker; writer, director and producer, Maurice Jamal; and Founder and Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute, Phill Wilson.
“We initiated OUT on the Hill with the agenda of empowering delegates to bring necessary opportunities for political education and engagement to their local communities, and exposing access points for national organizing at the local level,” says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, NBJC Executive Director and CEO. “We will emerge from our four-day session ignited to a whole new level of action.”
OUT on the Hill activities will coincide with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF-ALC), granting attendees the opportunity to join thousands of African American policy makers, organizers, and concerned citizens and advocate for an African American agenda inclusive of Black LGBT people.
It is time to OWN OUR POWER and make our voices heard.
For media inquiries, please contact NBJC’s Director of Communications, Kimberley McLeod at 202-319-1552 ext. 102 or via email at kmcleod@nbjc.org.
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The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. NBJC’s mission is to eradicate racism and homophobia.