The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) welcomes new members of its Youth and Young Adult Advisory Council, an advisory body informing the NBJC of issues and concerns relevant to young Black people who advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
NBJC is a civil rights
organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people,
including people living with HIV/AIDS. NBJC’s mission is to end racism,
homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma.
As America’s leading national
Black LGBTQ/SGL civil rights organization focused on federal public
policy, NBJC has accepted the charge to lead Black families in
strengthening the bonds and bridging the gaps between the movements for
racial justice and LGBTQ/SGL equality.
The Youth and Young Adult Advisory Council consists of emerging
and established young adults who are working actively on learning about and
sharpening skills that can be used to influence public policy and
advocacy; communications, media and messaging; and to improve how
individuals and institutions purporting to care about Black people and
the Black community address intersectional needs that are most often
neglected and ignored.
Q&A with Youth and Young Adult Advisory Council
Marshanette Nunes (Marsha) was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in San Francisco.
Pronouns:she/her/hers
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? To learn, grow, build community, and drive positive change with other Black young adults and youth.
What are you most excited about? Getting to work with all the wonderful and brilliant people involved in the work. Too often it feels like we’re alone in the world--or in community and I am excited about learning from and about other dope and dynamic leaders in our community.
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? To learn, grow, build community, and drive positive change with other Black young adults and youth.
What are you most excited about? Getting to work with all the wonderful and brilliant people involved in the work. Too often it feels like we’re alone in the world--or in community and I am excited about learning from and about other dope and dynamic leaders in our community.
Justin Calhoun, a research assistant at Howard University where he gathers data on electoral politics and LGBTQ/SGL elected officials. Pronouns: he/him/his
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? I accepted the invitation as a way to develop my advocacy skills and connections so that I can share my Black, Queer outlook on political and social events. I want to share the newfound perspective I have after graduating from an HBCU with a degree in Political Science and Community Development. I think my focus on urban planning/community development can bring more depth to conversations of race and policy by adding theories of built environmental discrimination.
What are you most excited about? The impact! I have worked with NBJC in the past, as an intern, and as a representative in the community. I am most excited about continuing this work and the impact this work will have on marginalized communities during the global pandemic.
Sage G Dolan, a creative freelancer, consultant, and student. Pronouns:she/her/hers
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? I will always be here to answer invitations extended by [Executive Director] David Johns NBJC. David has long been a mentor of mine [since the White House Summits on Black LGBTQ Youth in 2016] and his work and the work of NBJC has allowed me to exist in the ways I do today. I am honored and glad to have the privilege to serve on this council and participate in the exploration of Black queer joy and love. We have a chance to find the keys to thriving and more importantly the ability to share them!
What are you most excited about? I am excited about returning to school this fall semester and to implement the thriving practices that I have learned through the Council. I look forward to engaging my studies with a new lens and to taking my advocacy to the next level.
Aaron Grayson works in the Student Affairs office at Stanford University. Pronouns: he/him/his
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? I accepted the invitation because I wanted to join a community of leaders, unlearners, and dreamers of liberation.
What are you most excited about? I'm most excited to strengthen connections with this newfound community of beautiful Black people who dream, love, and think deeply. Let's reimagine. Let's activate. Let's flip some tables!
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? My good friend Sage referred me to join the Council. I’ve seen how she’s been able to use the platform provided by NBJC to speak truth to power; to disrupt the negative ideas about members of our community; and to have her creative work viewed by diverse communities. I am excited by these things and look forward to similar opportunities to make positive contributions and grow.
What are you most excited about? Getting to work with all the wonderful and brilliant people involved in the work. Too often it feels like we’re alone in the world--or in community and I am excited about learning from and about other dope and dynamic leaders in our community.
Meghan J. McCarty, Communicative Sciences and Disorders Master's Candidate at New York University.
Pronouns:she/her/hers
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? I accepted the invitation to join the Council because I'm eager to do the work necessary to liberate ALL Black lives. This is important because too often we’re on the front lines only to be erased when there are commemorative events or stories written by bystanders. I am excited to do more work.
What are you most excited about? I look forward to our Council meetings—I have the opportunity to simply be and to smile with and strategize with and share with beautiful queer, trans, and non-binary members of our beautiful community. I am excited about continuing to learn about one another and to support the work of NBJC. It’s important that we all do everything we can to ensure that this moment is one that allows all of us to be liberated—to feel free.
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? I wanted to find a new and meaningful way of engaging in revolutionary work that is ongoing and understand that NBJC is on the frontlines of advancing meaningful change. I am excited to learn more and to be more meaningfully engaged in this work.
What are you most excited about? Learning from and growing with all members of the Council and just being in a community which I find very healing. Safe spaces don’t really exist for us, and we need them--like everyone else needs them. I am excited about the space that is being created by NBJC.
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? I have a great relationship with [Executive Director] David Johns, I respect the work of NBJC, and thought it would be a great opportunity for me to learn and grow as a professional.
What are you most excited about? I’m most excited to learn and enact change. I am a leader and have been excited to use my skills and passion to push for change so that Black people who are marginalized even within our own community whether on campus or in the organizations that I am a part of. I am excited to continue this work, to learn and grow, and to change things for the better.
Monet Umama works as a specialist at Apple. Pronouns:she/her/hers
Why did you accept the YYAAC invitation? I believe in the power of youth advocacy and the voice that we all can have. I attended the first White House Summit on African American LGBTQ Youth in 2016 and have been excited about and have learned from participating in the work of NBJC. I am excited to continue, in this capacity, as a member of the Council.
What are you most excited about? Having this community of young professionals and scholars to learn and grow together!