10/25/2011

Washington– In an effort to foster an effective group of LGBT Historically Black College and University (HBCU) student leaders committed to developing their personal leadership and career skills and to develop student leaders to advocate for LGBT equality and social justice, the Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – will hold an HBCU LGBT Leadership and Career Summit beginning this Thursday, October 27 and running through Sunday, October 30.  Summit participants will take part in a lobby day on Friday on Capitol Hill, talking to lawmakers about issues important to LGBT people of color.  
 
“People of color face unique obstacles in the fight for LGBT equality,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “Not only will we help these students raise their voices on Capitol Hill and gain valuable skills, they will also teach others about LGBT equality and social justice.”
 
“It takes a lot of courage to stand up on an HBCU campus and be proud of who you are,” said HRC Associate Director of Diversity Donna Payne.  “That is why we support training this generation to be effective leaders that will change the course of what it means to be African American and LGBT.
 
In addition to lobbying on Capitol Hill, students will engage in workshops on topics covering career development and bringing your whole self to work in today’s economy, leadership skills, transgender issues in communities of color, and faith and community.  Students will also take part in a corporate panel discussion with speakers from Google and Alcoa.  The keynote speaker is Candi Castleberry-Singleton, the Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where she launched the Dignity and Respect Campaign, using ideas and feedback from UPMC employees to create internal best practices.
 
The HRC HBCU program was launched in 2000 after a rash of anti-LGBT violence on HBCU campuses across the country.  The first HBCU LGBT Leadership and Career Summit took place that year.  Since then, nearly 200 students have participated in the Summit.  To learn more about HRC’s HBCU program, visit www.hrc.org/hbcu.
 
 
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.