National Black Justice Collective Announces 2024 Benevolence Grants Supporting Black LGBTQ+ Children, Youth, and Young Adults
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
WASHINGTON – Today, the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading national Black LGBTQ+/Same-gender loving (SGL) civil rights organization, will commemorate its 21st anniversary by celebrating and supporting Black LGBTQ+ children, youth, and young adults and investing in 31 organizations, including ten new grantees, that ensure our young people thrive through the Benevolence campaign.
In 2024, 683 anti-trans bills were introduced across the country, including 26 states that have passed bans on gender-affirming health care for transgender children and teenagers, as well as 61 bills targeting trans youth in sports and a third of states already passing laws banning trans students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity. These attacks, and more, have persisted through the first half of this school year, from which Pen America has found over 4,000 instances of book bans.
“Supporting our youth and ensuring they have safe and affirming spaces is more important than ever. This year, we have continued to see attacks on LGBTQ+/SGL youth through the introduction and passage of anti-LGBTQ+/SGL legislation,” said Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition. “The probable implementation of Project 2025 and the so-called America First Agenda through the Trump administration and Republican control of Congress and the Supreme Court will harm our Black LGBTQ+/SGL youth. We must continue to support those who support our babies.”
Below are the organizations to which NBJC has provided microgrants this year:
Continuing Grantees
- Black Star Project is committed to improving academic and economic prosperity in Black and Latinx communities.
- FORGE– reduces the impact of trauma on trans/non-binary survivors and communities by empowering service providers, advocating for systems reform, and connecting survivors to healing possibilities.
- Haus of Codec is committed to ending transition-aged youth homelessness in Providence through arts and workforce development. One of a handful of organizations that provide transitional housing for queer and trans youth ages 18-24.
- House of Tulip– provides zero-barrier housing, case management, linkage to care, and community programming to trans and gender-nonconforming people needing a safe place to stay while growing the supply of affordable housing in New Orleans.
- Jasmyn– supports empowering LGBTQIA+ teens and young adults through leadership, advocacy, resources, and a safe and affirming community.
- Justice for Black Girls– expands global knowledge of how US-based systems of power respond to and perpetuate the abuse of Black girls in schools, prisons, and protests.
- Oakland LGBTQ Community Center– is dedicated to enhancing and sustaining the well-being of LGBTQ individuals, their families, and allies by providing educational, social, and health-related activities, programs, and services.
- The Okra Project is a mutual aid collective focused on supporting Black Trans people and alleviating the community’s barriers.
- The Pride Center at Equality Park– provides a welcoming, safe space, and inclusive home that celebrates, nurtures, and empowers the LGBTQ+ communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida.
- Ruth Ellis Center– providing trauma-informed services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, with an emphasis on young people of color experiencing homelessness, being involved in the child welfare system, or experiencing barriers to health and wellbeing.
- Sisters PGH provides opportunities for the trans communities of Pittsburgh/Allegheny County to thrive through affirming programming that includes transitional housing, leadership roles, and initiatives created by trans people for trans people.
- SMYAL– supports and empowers LGBTQ youth in the Washington, DC, metropolitan region. Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy.
- Stand with Trans– help trans youth build resilience, gain confidence, and find hope for a future filled with joy.
- TransTech Social– a co-learning and co-working community created to empower, educate, and employ the LGBTQ+ community through accessible education programs, inclusive events, and equitable employment opportunities that teach practical career-ready skills.
- TruEvolution– fights for health equity and racial justice to advance the quality of life and human dignity of LGBTQ+ people.
- The Wanda Alston Foundation– has a mission to eradicate homelessness and poverty for LGBTQ youth between the ages of 18 and 24. They are dedicated to ensuring that LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness have access to services that improve their overall quality of life.
- Word is Bond-isa national leader in developing young Black men, a thought partner and resource to the community, and a platform for young Black men everywhere to become masters of their narratives.
- Wordplay Cincy– sparks storytelling through writing, performance, and visual arts in collaboration with Cincinnati’s young people by celebrating their strengths, cultivating belonging, and fueling social impact.
- Youth Pride Inc.- is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of youth and young adults impacted by sexual orientation and gender identity/expression while working to end the homophobic and transphobic environments in which they live, work, and play.
- YWCA Madison– advances race & gender equity to create a more inclusive community, helps people improve their financial situations through job training & transportation, supports women and families in housing & shelter, and offers school and community restorative justice programming.
- Zebra Youth provides high-quality, culturally appropriate programs designed to meet the unique needs of homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. It also strives to meet the community’s needs for affordable youth housing, mental health services, proactive youth support, and community education.
New Grantees
- Alliance for LGBTQ Youth– provides mental health and care coordination services, leadership development, and policy advocacy that centers the lives and experiences of LGBTQ youth in South Florida.
- Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)– is a national training, movement-building, and grant-making institution dedicated to the healing, wellness, and liberation of Black and marginalized communities.
- Kaleidoscope Youth Center– diverse, experienced staff work alongside queer youth to create free programming, housing, and support services in Columbus and all over the state of Ohio.
- My Sistah’s House– is a grassroots, transgender-led organization in Memphis, Tennessee, that provides services for primarily Black and Brown transgender and non-binary individuals, including a safe space, emergency shelter, and access to health and social services.
- Neutral Zone– transformative, youth-driven community where youth embrace their power, ignite their creativity and launch their future to build equity, justice, and collective liberation.
- Pridelines– supports, educates, and empowers South Florida’s (LGBTQ) youth and community in safe and diverse spaces to promote dialogue wellness and foster social change.
- Rainbow in Black– provides unwavering support, resources, and advocacy for Black families of transgender and gender-diverse youth.
- Side by Side– operates across the Bay Area, providing young people ages 5-26 and family members with critical services that span behavioral and mental health, early intervention in schools, LGBTQIA+ support, transitional housing for foster youth, and special education.
- Trans Youth Emergency Project– helps families navigate the complex and exhausting maze of gender-affirming care, offering logistical and financial support. The team provides 1-on-1 custom patient navigation services and supports families of transgender youth with emergency grants to help them travel out of state for care.
- The Queer Trans Project– provides free, accessible, and gender-affirming resources that serve as a lifeline for queer and trans people.
If you know of an organization or student group led by and supporting Black LGBTQ+/SGL students, youth, and young adults, please nominate them for a Benevolence Grant by clicking this LINK.