Fostering Equity and Empowerment: A Recap of Lighthouse Foundation's BQEI Soul Food Brunch
On Saturday, May 13, in an educational and transformative event, Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland provided an update on our ongoing journey towards racial justice with our Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI) Soul Food Brunch. The BQEI serves as a beacon of hope and progress as it seeks to reshape nonprofit cultures by ensuring equity for Black LGBTQ+ staff and board members. This community-led participatory action research project aims to foster inclusivity, confront systemic inequities, and guide organizations toward a more just and empowered future.
The BQEI’s findings have highlighted the critical importance of moving beyond symbolic gestures of diversity and instead channeling efforts towards substantial anti-racist work. The resulting five key themes—resource allocation, giving voice and power, professional development, systemic action, and data collection—have emerged as a roadmap for transformation.
The BQEI Soul Food Brunch was a significant stop along this journey, taking place at Wilson Abbey in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. Attended by nearly 100 individuals, the event reverberated with an enthusiasm and a shared commitment to learning more about the BQEI's pivotal work.
The festivities commenced with soul-stirring live house music courtesy of Voices of Light, our Black LGBTQ+ music collective. As house music is an art form born from the heart and soul of Black Queer Chicago, it was a fitting commemoration that created a vibrant atmosphere to welcome attendees into. Soul food was presented by local Black LGBTQ+ chef Donna Todd, including chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, and more.
The centerpiece of the event was a panel of thought-provoking speakers, featuring Adrienne Irmer, a member of the BQEI Steering Committee; Timothy Jackson, Director of Government Relations at AIDS Foundation Chicago; Dr. Terrance Weeden, a dedicated board member of both AIDS Foundation Chicago and the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus; and Terra Campbell, the Community Impact Coordinator for Howard Brown Health. The discussion was expertly guided by Dr. Allen Womble, our Director of Strategy.
The panelists' narratives and insights unveiled the stark realities and illuminating possibilities surrounding equity for Black LGBTQ+ individuals in the nonprofit sector. Their collective experiences illuminated both the challenges and the potential pathways toward creating a more inclusive and empowering environment.
Throughout the venue, interactive signs showcased the 12 Emerging Equity indicators established by the BQEI. Attendees were encouraged to engage with these indicators, leaving sticky notes that detailed the change they’d like to see in the workplace based on the five transformative themes.
One attendee aptly captured the essence of the event, stating, "[It was a] great presentation. [I] definitely agree that those who have experienced compounded marginalization can provide the vision that everyone needs to move us all to a better place."
The BQEI continues to be one of our flagship programs because it’s directly working towards the goal laid out in our mission statement; creating a Chicagoland in which Black LGBTQ+ people are safe, resourced, empowered, liberated, and flourishing. The BQEI Soul Food Brunch was yet another example that through unity, understanding, and concerted effort, we can effect meaningful and lasting change within our communities and organizations.
