The Power of Us Convention 2008 Recap
01 May 08 12:00 AM EDT
The Power of Us Convention 2008
Recap
Pre-convention activities
Sorting, stuffing and delivering hundreds of convention bags. NBJC board members, volunteers and staff were later rewarded to pizza for their valiant
efforts
Day 1:
Health and Wellness
The focus was upon health disparities of African-Americans and its impact on Black LGBT along with an emphasis on financial planning and investing.
Sessions also included a focus on transgender health issues. In her keynote speech, Dr. Sandra Gadson commented on the need for a paradigm shift and
more coalition work to combat negative health disparities with people of color.
-Dr. Sandra Gadson, Keynote Speaker and Past President of National Medical Association (L) and H. Alexander Robinson,(R) NBJC
-Early morning audience learning more about African American health disparities
-Joel Ginsberg, Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, Moderated a panel discussion. GLMA sponsored and coordinated the Health Disparities Track
-Dr. Sandra Gadson, H. Alexander Robinson, NBJC CEO and Dr. Marjorie Hill, CEO of Gay Men's Health Crisis
Opening Reception
NBJC Board Member, Donna Payne, Rev. David Lewis, Dora, AL, NBJC Board Member Leslye Huff
and NBJC Board Chairman, Kylar Broadus
NBJC Chief Executive Officer, H. Alexander Robinson was honored with the Andrew Goodman Freedom Prize Award. The award is named after Andrew Goodman, a civil rights worker who was murdered in Philadelphia, Mississippi in 1964. The honor is bestowed annually to an individual or organization that has made valuable contributions to civil and human rights.
Later that evening, NBJC was entertained by comedienne, Karen Williams
Nationally Syndicated Radio Host, Bev Smith broadcasted from the Power of Us Convention. Her two day broadcast was historic as it was the first time in
history a Black mainstream and nationally syndicated media outlet broadcasted from a Black LGBT event.
-NBJC CEO, H. Alexander Robinson and Bev Smith
-TV Host, Marcellas Reynolds and Bev Smith
-NBJC Ensemble Choir and Bev Smith
-Bishop Gene Robinson and Bev Smith
Day 2:
3rd Annual Black Church Summit
The day consisted of a breakfast and lunch plenary along with a series of workshop trainings and plenary sessions focused on challenging religion based
homophobia with insight and inspiration; a discussion of the state of the Black Church as it relates to LGBT people; political empowerment and social
justice ministries.
And NBJC witnesses the VERY FIRST meeting of Bishop Carlton Pearson and Bishop Gene Robinson
Bishop Carlton Pearson, New Dimensions Worship Center, Tulsa, OK
Bishop Gene Robinson, Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
NBJC CEO, H. Alexander Robinson
NBJC COO, Earl Plante
NBJC Salutes Black LGBT Elected Officials
Four of America's Black and out publicly elected officials were honored during a reception at the Power of Us Convention.
Robert Traynham, Comcast Television Washington Bureau Chief
Laura Esquivel, Senior Vice President for Political Affairs, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute
H. Alexander Robinson, NBJC CEO
Joe Angelo, City Commissioner, Wilton Manor Florida (2nd picture, second from the right)
Jasper Hendricks, NBJC Director of Field Operations and Political Programs
Jason Bartlett, State Representative, Connecticut (4th picture, second from the right)
Laura Esquivel, Senior Vice President for Political Affairs, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute
H. Alexander Robinson, NBJC CEO
Dana Rone, Newark, NJ City Council Member (1st picture, second from the right)
Judge Darrin Gayles, Miami-Dade County Court, Eleventh Judicial Court (2nd picture, second from the left)
Jasper Hendricks, NBJC Director of Field Operations and Political Programs
All four honorees City Commissioner, Joe Angelo; City Council Member Dana Rone; State Rep. Jason Bartlett; Judge Darrin Gayles
Day 3: Leadership Development & Mobilization Summit Track
NBJC released a timely African-American "attitudes" report on marriage equality during the Freedom To Marry discussion panel
which analyzed attitudes among Blacks both gay and non-gay concerning marriage equality.
Building community and political alliances was the theme of one of the follow-up sessions. Several political organizations were
represented to discuss how best the Black LGBT community should strategize in creating collaborative work and community alliances.
Bottom three pictures
-Vendors display their products and services
-NBJC CEO, H. Alexander Robinson; Kathryn Kolbert, President People for the American Way; Dr. Kenneth Samuel, Victory Church, Stone Mountain, GA;
Rev. Timothy McDonald, First Iconium Baptist
-Marcellas Reynolds, Convention Emcee; Ray Cunningham, Actor; Carey Sherrell, Fashion Designer
Harlem by the Harbor
National Awards Dinner
Mitchell Gold, Residential and commercial furniture manufacturer (Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams), humanitarian and substantial supporter of NBJC and recipient of the Partnership Award.
Dr. Marjorie Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Gay Men?s Health Crisis and recipient of the Rustin-Alston Community Mobilization Award.
Emil Wilbekin, Editor of GIANT Magazine and former Editor of Vibe Magazine and recipient of the Leadership Award.
**Save The Date!!
Faithful Call to Justice
Saturday May 31 - June 1, 2008
Location: Your Place of Worship
How do I register?
Email us at [email protected]
Please provide the following:
Name
Address
Telephone Number
Cell Number
E-mail Address
Place of Worship Name and Affiliation
Address of Your Place of Worship
Dear Faith Leader:
We are pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Faithful Call to Justice. On Saturday, May 31st and Sunday June 1st, 2008, clergy, lay leaders, their congregations and others across the nation will join together to acknowledge the contributions of and affirm their commitment to the inclusion of LGBT and same gender loving people in faith communities.
See you next year at the
4th Annual Black Church Summit in San Francisco, Spring 2009!!
www.nbjc.org
