I read about NBJC in the Washington Blade when it was being formed.  I was interested because it seemed to provide a solid voice for the first time in this country of Black LGBT people.

In my humble opinion, it was the absence of this voice that made us needed. I think most of us were frustrated and tired of the "supposed agenda" being defined for us. We would be asked to come to the table after the game had been set and the rules had been made. In a sense, we were tokenized within groups leading change for us and that did not reflect our realities. Individually, we were offered positions that did not use our skills effectively, where racism was not addressed, and our efforts had no impact within the organization or the movement for the most part.  We had been an afterthought, but we found a home at NBJC.

I have been on the board a little over three years, and the greatest joy has been to see the organization grow and begin to take root. I am most proud of NBJC’s ability to impact change on a global level. NBJC has a political and social relevance on so many levels, has the tools and is positioned to lead change into the future. There have been challenges but I think we’ve made a footprint in the movement as a whole by becoming the "go to" organization, breaking down barriers in the Black community, the LGBT community, and beyond. Now we are going to take our "reimagined" vision to the next level with our new leadership.

The first months after the founding of NBJC were hectic and exciting.  Keith Boykin and I talked for many hours about the creation of bylaws for the new group and the excitement of others that were glad Black LGBT people had organized ourselves to speak out on our opinions.  The loss of our Black voices in the discussion around marriage and LGBT rights had been felt.  Many African American conservative leaders and ministers were preaching the word of "gays not being loved by God."  In the African American community, the pulpits were filled with anti-gay rhetoric.  Every time you watched a public discussion about LGBT rights, it was always the white LGBT community.  Our voices and organization called for a stop to the anti-gay rhetoric in the African American community.  

We spoke for many across the country that had partners, kids, and lived open lives.  The entire board became media savvy quickly so they could handle the calls from news reporters and respond back to commentators.  We also began to organize in 2-3 cities so there were others that joined us in stating the positive aspects of being Black and LGBT in America.

Our opinion about being Black and considering (LGBT rights) as part of the Civil Rights Movement that our parents led was a fiery concept at the time. The viewpoint answered a void in the discussion: "Should Blacks accept that there are Black LGBT people that want LGBT rights?"

It also answered an unspoken question in the Black community—are there really Black LGBT people?  Many clergy tried to say we were not in the church.  Our organization brought the discussion right into their backyard and pews.  Yes, we are present. Some of us are Christian, and we want the anti-gay rhetoric in the Black community to STOP!

I first heard about NBJC while working with Donna Payne as a member of HRC Board of Governors. Donna and I have worked on many endeavors together and share many core values on the struggle for equality within the LGBT community, especially the Black LGBT community. I have followed the activities of NBJC, and after I was off the HRC Board, I was asked to serve on NBJC's Board. Having seen firsthand the work and strategies of the larger LGBT organizations, which didn't fully serve or understand the needs of communities of color, I felt it imperative that there be an equal voice at the "equality" table. We needed to be there to address the challenges of the Black community and bridge the differences between communities of color and traditional LGBT organizations, providing a better forum for cooperation and collaboration in our struggle for full equality.

I am deeply impressed by the commitment to the mission and vision of NBJC by the board members. It is a lively group that often agrees and sometimes disagrees, but ultimately pumps fresh ideas and energy into the organization. The greatest joy is the perseverance of everyone, board and staff, to make it happen.

The transparency in our transformation, learning from the past, and the enthusiasm and willingness to step up to the plate by board and staff makes me most proud. I'm tickled pink and can't wait to see what tomorrow holds for NBJC!

I first heard about NBJC at its conception.  At this time, I was working with the Georgians Against Discrimination.  We tried to defeat a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.  We lost badly.  It was about a year later that I wanted to join the board because of cases like gay marriage along with other issues facing the Black LGBTQ community. 

I’ve been on the Board now for a little over four years, and during my time we’ve tackled major issues include engaging the Black Church on homophobia, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, Gay families and acceptance of the Black transgender community—and this work will only grow. I’m especially proud of our partnerships with the Human Rights Campaign, Freedom to Marry, several other LGBT organizations, our partnership with the NAACP, being invited to the White House, the recognition of our significance in the LGBT Equality Movement, and our involvement in Black Prides across the country. I feel a new spirit here at NBJC, and it is time to move out of first gear and shift into fifth!

NBJC has been instrumental is bringing visibility and a voice to a group of people who are often silenced and marginalized.  But the last three years have not been easy for NBJC.  It’s been three years of battles.  Battles within the Black community to have a seat and a voice at the table and battles in the gay community to be allowed to be Black and gay in a movement that hasn’t always been welcoming of that.

Yet I am extremely excited and pleased with the direction NBJC is going.  Not as gay or straight, but as an African-American. I have an obligation to those that came before me and those coming after me to do my part and doing my part means finding my role, and currently my role is to be a board member of NBJC.  I am proud to be taking an active role in making history.  I feel that, one day soon, kids won’t have to deal with the level of racism and homophobia that individuals experience today. 

Because racism still exists in America, it should not be surprising that it pervades LGBT institutions and communities as well.  Because heterosexism still exists in America, it is not surprising that it pervades African American institutions and communities as well.   Many leaders of formal institutions in les-bi-gay-trans communities continue to exclude African American LGBT persons, priorities, and customs; and some of the leaders of institutions in the Black community continue to avoid African American LGBT persons, our gifts, and our cares.  We still need leaders in the Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities to speak truth to power so that we can work together to eliminate both racism and heterosexism.

I am proud that NBJC was able to co-host the Labor luncheon at the NAACP’s national convention and speak briefly from the dais.  I am proud that NBJC has continued to exist and come through its challenges stronger than it was before.  I am proud that NBJC was able to hold one of its Black Church Summits in the same church where the esteemed Frederick Douglass once spoke, the oldest Black-owned property in the country, Mother Bethel AME Church.

Needless to say, I am very pleased with the direction that NBJC is taking now.  We are sinking deep roots now so that we can grow strong and have a greater sphere of influence in the long-term.  My greatest joy as it relates to NBJC is knowing that all of our stakeholders still have a great opportunity to put our shoulders to the wheel as a team – the Power of Us – because NBJC still exists.  And still we rise!

I first heard about NBJC through Jasmyne Cannick, one of the founders of NBJC.  As an openly gay African-American elected official, she invited me to participate in a panel discussion on the "Black Gay Community" at the California Black Legislative Caucus in Los Angeles.  It was at this conference that I met the then CEO of NBJC who spoke with me about joining the Board.  I strongly believe in the mission of NBJC and was honored to be asked to serve on the Board.

The fact that we exist in these turbulent economic times makes me most proud.  We are still here after six years, fighting the good fight and growing and maturing as an organization.  As an elected official, I hope that I have been able to share my insight on the political process.  As Board Treasurer, I stressed the importance of being transparent, efficient, and accountable.

I am very excited about the new direction of NBJC.  Our best years are ahead of us as we continue to serve our community and fulfill our mission of eradicating homophobia and racism.

It's exciting for me to work with other committed activists, to engage in stimulating dialogues, and to hear about resources and networks that align with the mission of NBJC.  I hope to be an active voice, to raise concerns and considerations from my unique perspective, and to assist NBJC in positioning itself as a leader in the human rights movement.

I love my LGBTQIC community—in America and around the planet—yet we have very special issues in the American queer community. Racism is still very much alive, ageism is encroaching upon the "boomer generation," and there is the persistent tinge of elitism and privilege that colors our movements.  The reason that I call myself a human rights activist is because I still believe that I am not free until we are all free. 

In 2010, let's have more fun!  Yes, we are older AND we can still be youthful in our hearts and spirits.  With a youthful heart and spirit, we can continue to fight injustice as we have in the past, with more wisdom and insight.  We can build more bridges between other generations, living and learning, teaching and healing.  Everyone's contribution is valuable and we can work together more to create value, build institutions, and promote peace and healing of this wonderful planet and ALL of its peoples!