The National Black Justice Coalition Demands NIH, UCLA Immediately Suspend Cruel, Emotionally-Damaging Transgender Dysphoria Study
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com WASHINGTON – Today, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) released a statement opposing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and University of California at Los Angeles’ (UCLA) study seeking to measure brain responses to body and gender dysphoria. The study, “Gender Identity and Own Body Perception Implications for the Neurobiology […]
The National Black Justice Coalition Honors National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; Releases Toolkit
WASHINGTON, DC — Ahead of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) on February 7, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) has released a toolkit that includes information about testing, treatment, and tips for reducing the stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS. Observed annually on February 7th, NBHAAD aims to address the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS in the […]
The National Black Justice Coalition Mourns the Death of Bianca “Muffin” Bankz
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the tragic loss of Bianca Bankz. Bianca Bankz, affectionately called “Muffin,” was found dead in her Atlanta apartment on January 17, 2021. Bankz, a 30-year-old Black transgender woman, had just moved into her new apartment before being killed, by a man, inside her home. When […]
The National Black Justice Coalition Mourns the Death of Dominique Jackson
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the loss of Dominique Jackson. Dominique Jackson, a 30-year-old Black transgender woman, was found dead inside her car on January 25, 2021. Jackson had crashed into a utility pole after being shot on Rose Street in Jackson, Mississippi. A search for Jackson began when Jackson’s […]
National Black Justice Coalition Honors the Memory of Nigel Shelby
Today, February 1, is Nigel Shelby’s 17th birthday. Nigel was only 15-years-old when, on April 18, 2019, he died by suicide. Nigel’s death was a response to the unrelenting homophobic bullying he faced at school. Nigel’s mother, Camika Shelby, described her son as a sweet boy with a heart of gold who was respectful, […]
The National Black Justice Coalition Mourns the Death of Bonaire “Bonnie” Black
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is saddened by the tragic death of Bonaire “Bonnie” Black. Bonaire “Bonnie” Black was found dead on December 31, 2020 in Atlanta, GA. She was only nineteen years old. While Black’s death is still being investigated by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office, the police […]
The National Black Justice Coalition Mourns the Loss of Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín. Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín, a transgender man, was found dead on a highway in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico about five miles from San Juan, PR on January 9. When a motorist discovered […]
President Biden Lifts Ban on Transgender Military Members – Essence
EXECUTIVE ORDER ENABLES ALL QUALIFIED AMERICANS TO SERVE IN UNIFORM. President Joe Biden has reversed the ban on transgender military service members previously enacted by the Trump Administration. Biden signed the executive order on Monday, January 26 in the Oval Office. He was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, the new Secretary of Defense Lloyd […]
One of Biden’s first priorities must be addressing another health crisis: HIV and AIDS
BY DAVID JOHNS AND ANGELA YEE, OPINION CONTRIBUTORS It’s been less than a year since COVID-19 began ravaging the United States, and there are already at least two impressively effective vaccines on the verge of approval and distribution. This is great news in a pandemic that has killed over 300,000 people in the U.S. and […]
National Black Justice Coalition and Cartoon Network Launch Gender Identity Comic Strip Celebrating Gender Diversity
Contact: Cabot Petoia, 828-899-9239, cabot@megaphonestrategies.com Shai Vaz, 347-266-2561, shai@megaphonestrategies.com WASHINGTON, DC—The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is excited to announce the latest installment in its ongoing collaboration with Cartoon Network. On Monday, December 14, Cartoon Network released a comic strip highlighting the power and importance of respecting gender identity through the use of gender pronouns. […]
National Black Justice Coalition Mourns the Loss of Asia Jynaé Foster
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the loss of Asia Jynaé Foster. Asia Jynaé Foster, a 22-year-old Black trans woman was found dead due to multiple gunshot wounds in Houston, Texas on Friday, November 20. She was a client of Montrose Grace Place, a drop-in shelter for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth. […]
The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) Mourns the Loss of Angel Unique
WASHINGTON, DC— Angel Unique, a 25-year-old Black transgender woman, was shot to death in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 25. She was found dead at a Motel 6 in the Memphis Whitehaven neighborhood, where she stayed overnight. Angel was a cosmetologist and would have celebrated her 26 birthday this December. On October 30, Angel’s friends […]
Spirit Day: National Black Justice Coalition Releases Statements
WASHINGTON, DC —Today, on Spirit Day, an annual date to combat bullying disproportionately faced by TQNB+ people, members of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) Youth and Young Adult Advisory Council (YYAAC) released the following statements “Spirit Day recognizes the hardships LGBT youth often face and calls us to stand in solidarity with those […]
National Black Justice Coalition Mourns Passing of Felycya Harris, Calls for Investigation into Stabbing of Daniela Hernandez
WASHINGTON, DC—The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the loss of Felycya Harris and the stabbing of Daniela Hernandez, who survived. Felycya Harris, a 33-year-old Black transgender woman was found dead from a gunshot wound in Meadowbrook Park in Augusta, Georgia on Saturday, October 3. Her death is being investigated as a homicide. Harris […]
National Black Justice Coalition Mourns Passing of Monica Roberts
WASHINGTON, DC —The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is devastated to learn that Monica Roberts – activist, journalist, auntie, and inspiration – gained her wings on October 5. Roberts was a trailblazer, creating the award-winning blog TransGriot, which chronicled trans community accomplishments, hardships, and histories when no one else did. She pushed for media competency […]
NBJC Mourns the Loss of Two Black Trans Women, Mia Green and Kee Sam
WASHINGTON, DC —The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the loss of Mia Green and Kee Sam, two Black transgender women who were killed recently. Kee Sam, a 24-year-old Black trans woman was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound in a hotel room in Lafayette, Louisiana on August 12, 2020. She died as a […]
Statement on National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day from National Black Justice Coalition
WASHINGTON, DC — In honor of National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day today, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) released the following statement: “Today is a day to celebrate that HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was, thanks to the effective HIV medication made possible by the tireless organizing of queer […]
National Black Justice Coalition Mourns Loss of Aerrion Burnett
WASHINGTON, DC—The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the loss of Aerrion Burnett, a 37-year-old Black trans woman from Independence, Missouri. Burnett was found dead of a gunshot wound on September 19, 2020. Her friends said that she was a goddess and the life of the party. Her friend Korea Kelly is on the […]
National Black Justice Coalition Mourns the Loss of Three Black Trans People
WASHINGTON — In response to recent news that Isabella Mia Lofton and Elie Che were found dead in NYC and the death of KaKedius “Rebel” Ried the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) released the following statement: “It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of three young Black trans people,” said David Johns, […]
National Black Justice Coalition Congratulates Niecy Nash on Marriage to Jessica Betts
Washington — In response to the news that Niecy Nash recently married Jessica Betts, the National Black Justice Coalition released the following statement: “Love wins — always and in all ways,” said David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC). “I’m so happy for Niecy Nash —now officially Mrs. Carol Denise […]