NBJC Announces ESPN/CNN’s LZ Granderson as “OUT on the Hill” National Chair
Washington, D.C. – On September 19-22, 2012, 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 (OOTH) Black LGBT Leadership Summit. OOTH attendees will participate in an inspiring week of discussion, strategizing and organizing as well as educate congressional leaders, the White House and federal agencies about Black LGBT public policy concerns. NBJC, the nation's leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, is proud to kick off LGBT Pride Month by announcing openly gay ESPN/CNN columnist and commentator LZ Granderson as this year's OUT on the Hill National Chair.
"LZ embodies what is at the heart of OUT on the Hill – informed, intentional and purpose-driven leadership," says NBJC Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks. "As one of the most influential and powerful Black LGBT voices in media, his vision and guidance as National Chair will be invaluable."
Last year, Granderson moderated "From Civil Rights to LGBT Equality: African Americans and the LGBT Community at the Intersection," the first-ever, LGBT-themed Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Issue Forum sponsored by NBJC and the National Education Association (NEA).
"Hearing everyone's testimony served as a reminder to me of just how magnificent we really are and how much further we can, we must and we will go," says Granderson. "With the President's endorsement of marriage equality, our country is at a crossroads. Either we will continue to treat yet another group of Americans as second-class citizens, like so many times before, or we'll say 'enough is enough' and stop sanctioning bigotry. As a community and as a nation, we have a lot of challenges before us that extend beyond the freedom to marry, and I am confident we can overcome all of these challenges if we work together. That's why I am proud to stand with NBJC in helping my community and my country do just that."
Other OOTH 2011 guests included Detroit City Councilman Charles Pugh; author of the critically acclaimed book My Princess Boy, Cheryl Kilodavis; mother and activist, Sirdeaner Walker; writer, director and producer, Maurice Jamal; and Phill Wilson, Founder and Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute.
To read more about last year's summit, click here. Registration for the OUT on the Hill 2012 Black LGBT Leadership Summit opens on Monday, July 2nd.
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NBJC is a national civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. NBJC’s mission is to end racism and homophobia.