NBJC Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Jewel Thais-Williams
WASHINGTON — Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), issued the following statement on the passing of Jewel Thais-Williams, the legendary founder of Jewel’s Catch One and a pioneer in the fight for Black LGBTQ+ liberation: “Jewel Thais-Williams was more than an icon; she was a guiding […]
NBJC Condemns Supreme Court Ruling That Allows States to Deny Medicaid Funding to Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON — Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), issued the following statement in response to today’s Supreme Court ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which strips Medicaid patients of the right to challenge a state’s decision to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood: “Once […]
NBJC Mourns the Stolen Life of Laura Schueler
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com CINCINNATI– The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) mourns the death of Laura Schueler, a 47-year-old Black transgender woman. Laura was shot and killed in Evanston, Ohio, on June 7, 2025. The police are currently investigating, but have made no arrests, and have said it was too early to establish if […]
NBJC Condemns SCOTUS Decision to Uphold Tennessee’s Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com WASHINGTON — Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth: “The Supreme Court’s decision today is a devastating reminder that those currently […]
Equity Commemorative Gathering & Ceremonial Walk to Cap National Equity Week 2025 with Powerful Activation Demanding Racial Justice, Reparations, and Bold Legislative Action
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com Equity Week Events from June 11–14 Mobilize Black Communities, Advocates, and Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. WASHINGTON—From Wednesday, June 11 to Saturday, June 14, the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), alongside United by Equity, Black Music Action Coalition, and a broad coalition of civil rights organizations, Black entrepreneurs, ballroom houses, faith […]
NBJC Mourns the Stolen Life of Shy’Parius Dupree
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com MEMPHIS– The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) mourns the death of Shy’Parius Dupree, a 32-year-old Black transgender man. Dupree was fatally shot on May 18, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee. Shy’Parius was a loving husband and father who recently celebrated his third wedding anniversary and his daughter’s 12th birthday. He worked […]
NBJC Responds to Governor Wes Moore’s Veto of Maryland Reparations Commission Bill
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com ‘This veto represents a painful rejection of the communities that made his historic election possible,’ says NBJC CEO WASHINGTON –Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), issued the following statement in response to Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s decision to veto legislation that […]
National Black Justice Collective, AARP Honors Legendary Black LBTQ+ Women Elders With Award Ceremony
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com Audre Lorde Wisdom Awards to Celebrate Accomplishments and Experiences of Trailblazing Black LBTQ+/SGL Women WASHINGTON – On Friday, May 16th, at 1:00 PM EST, the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) will virtually host the fifth annual Audre Lorde Wisdom Awards, honoring the late icon and writer, and commemorating National LGBTQ+ […]
Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Summer Lee, Rep. Hank Johnson, Lead Congressional Briefing on Advancing Reparative Justice
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com Members to Discuss Legislative Solutions for Racial Justice and Reparations at the Capitol Visitors Center WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, May 13, at 12:30 PM (EDT), Senator Cory Booker will host a congressional briefing titled “Why We Can’t Wait: Advancing Reparative Justice in Our Lifetime” in partnership with Rep. Ayanna […]
NBJC Mourns the Stolen Life of Kaitoria “Kai” Bankz
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com AUTAUGAVILLE – The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) mourns the death of Kaitoria “Kai” Bankz, a 31-year-old Black transgender woman. On March 31, 2025, Trans Day of Visibility, Kia was killed, and her brother was injured during an attempted carjacking in Autaugaville, Atlanta. A suspect has been arrested and charged […]
NBJC Condemns President Trump’s Illegal Executive Order to Dismantle the Department of Education
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com WASHINGTON –Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s signing an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education: “This executive order to dismantle the Department of Education is a direct attack on […]
NBJC Denounces Trump Administration’s Plan to Gut CDC’s HIV Prevention Division
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com WASHINGTON –Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), issued the following statement in response to reports that the Trump administration is considering eliminating the CDC’s HIV Prevention Division and shifting its responsibilities within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): “The […]
NBJC Mourns the Stolen Lives of Sam Nordquist and Tahiry Broom
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com NEW YORK – The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) mourns the death of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old Black transgender man, and Tahiry Broom, a 29-year-old Black transgender woman. Sam Nordquist was found dead in Yates Country, New York on February 13, 2025, as a result of repeated acts of violence […]
NBJC Condemns President Trump’s Executive Orders Targeting Gender Identity and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com WASHINGTON –Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s first-day executive orders targeting transgender people and dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs: “On his first days in office, President Trump clarified that his […]
WED at 11 AM: NBJC Hosts ‘The Black Institute: Charting A New Way Forward Together’
Event Part of National LGBTQ Task Force’s 2025 Creating Change Conference LAS VEGAS – Wednesday, January 22nd, at 11:00AM PST, the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading national Black LGBTQ+/Same-gender loving (SGL) civil rights organization, will host its annual signature event, The Black Institute, a Black-led and -centered space for Black LGBTQ+/Same-Gender Loving leaders, […]
NBJC Applauds President Biden’s Declaration Affirming the Equal Rights Amendment
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com WASHINGTON –Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s declaration that he considers the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Constitution as the law of the land: “President Biden’s declaration that the Equal Rights […]
NBJC Commends President Biden for Granting Clemency to Nonviolent Drug Offenses
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com WASHINGTON –Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) issued the following statement in response to President Biden granting clemency to nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses who have been serving disproportionately long sentences: “President Biden’s decision to grant clemency to […]
NBJC Urges Biden to Veto NDAA Due to Discriminatory Provision Targeting Transgender Youth
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com WASHINGTON – Following the Senate’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which still included a discriminatory and targeted ban of some gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members, I wanted to make sure you had comment from Dr. David J. Johns, CEO & Executive Director of the National […]
National Black Justice Collective Condemns Discriminatory Provision in NDAA Targeting Transgender Youth
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com CEO & Executive Director Dr. David J. Johns Calls on Senate to Remove Provision, White House to Announce it Will Veto if Necessary WASHINGTON –Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), issued the following statement in response to Republicans in the U.S. […]
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 […]