National Black Justice Coalition

National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization founded in 2003 by Mandy Carter, Kenyon Farrow, and Ledricka Thierry, with the goal of empowering Black LGBTQ+ individuals and promoting social justice within the African American community, in collaboration with organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Human Rights Campaign. The organization works to address the unique challenges faced by Black LGBTQ+ individuals, including discrimination, inequality, and health disparities, as highlighted by Bayard Rustin, a prominent civil rights activist. The National Black Justice Coalition has partnered with various organizations, such as the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and the Black Women's Roundtable, to advance its mission and objectives, including the promotion of marriage equality and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

● History

The National Black Justice Coalition was founded in response to the lack of representation and resources for Black LGBTQ+ individuals within the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement, as noted by Angela Davis and Cornel West. The organization's early work focused on building a national network of Black LGBTQ+ leaders and organizations, including the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum and the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, with the support of Congressional Black Caucus members like John Lewis and Barbara Lee. In 2004, the organization launched its first national conference, which brought together Black LGBTQ+ individuals and allies from across the country, including California, New York, and Georgia, to discuss issues like HIV/AIDS and police brutality. The conference featured keynote speakers like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, and was sponsored by organizations like the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The National Black Justice Coalition's mission is to empower Black LGBTQ+ individuals and families, and to promote social justice and human rights within the African American community, in partnership with organizations like the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union. The organization's objectives include promoting LGBTQ+ rights, addressing health disparities, and advancing economic empowerment for Black LGBTQ+ individuals, as outlined by Michelle Obama and Barack Obama. The organization also seeks to build a national movement of Black LGBTQ+ leaders and allies, including Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour, who can work together to advance social justice and promote human rights, with the support of Congress and the White House.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The National Black Justice Coalition offers a range of programs and initiatives to support Black LGBTQ+ individuals and families, including the Black LGBTQ+ Leadership Summit, which brings together Black LGBTQ+ leaders from across the country, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, to discuss issues like police reform and voting rights. The organization also offers a range of health and wellness programs, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services, as well as mental health support and substance abuse treatment, in partnership with organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Additionally, the organization provides economic empowerment programs, including job training and entrepreneurship support, as well as education and advocacy programs to promote LGBTQ+ rights and social justice, with the support of Google and Facebook.

● Leadership_and_Partnerships

The National Black Justice Coalition is led by a team of experienced LGBTQ+ rights advocates, including David Johns, who serves as the organization's executive director, and has worked with organizations like the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans and the National Education Association. The organization has partnered with a range of national and local organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and the Black AIDS Institute, to advance its mission and objectives, and has received funding from organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The organization has also worked with Congressional Black Caucus members like Maxine Waters and Sheila Jackson Lee to promote LGBTQ+ rights and social justice within the African American community, and has collaborated with state and local governments, including the California State Legislature and the New York City Council, to advance its goals.

● Advocacy_and_Policy_Work

The National Black Justice Coalition engages in a range of advocacy and policy work to promote LGBTQ+ rights and social justice within the African American community, including lobbying and grassroots organizing, with the support of MoveOn.org and ColorOfChange.org. The organization has worked to promote marriage equality, repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and advance LGBTQ+ rights within the African American community, and has partnered with organizations like the National Organization for Women and the Service Employees International Union to advance its goals. The organization has also worked to address health disparities and promote health equity for Black LGBTQ+ individuals, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and has collaborated with federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, to advance its objectives, with the support of Kamala Harris and Cory Booker.