Welcome to the Lighthouse Foundation News page, where we share updates, stories, and insights about our work and impact. Here, you’ll find original blog posts from our team, including community stories, event highlights, and updates on initiatives advancing racial and LGBTQ+ equity, as well as articles and features from trusted media outlets about Lighthouse Foundation.
On World AIDS Day Dec. 1, Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland will host its 4th annual commemoration to honor lives lost to HIV/AIDS, raise awareness about HIV, and foster solidarity within the Black LGBTQ+ community. The event is funded in part by a TC CFAR Community Dissemination Award (CDA).
Lighthouse Foundation is excited to announce the opening of applications for the 2025 Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI) cohort, inviting nonprofits across the United States to participate in this groundbreaking initiative.
Earlier this month, Lighthouse Foundation hosted its first annual Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI) Convening. This groundbreaking event marked a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing equity within nonprofit organizations.
Another month, another Self-Care Recharge! Our most recent Self-Care Recharge event was a powerful testament to the strength of our community. This event series, which continues to grow in popularity, is designed to offer essential resources, reduce social isolation, and promote overall wellness for Black LGBTQ+ Chicagoans.
Happy five years of Lighthouse Foundation (LF)! On Saturday, July 13, we celebrated our first five years at Meeting House Tavern in Andersonville with Glitter & Giving: A Drag Bingo Fundraiser, featuring dazzling performances, three rounds of drag bingo, and heartfelt reflections from community leaders.
On Saturday, June 22, Lighthouse Foundation hosted 400 people at the inaugural Black LGBTQ+ Beach Day at 63rd Street Beach. Black LGBTQ+ Beach Day culminated LF’s Summer of Pride event series and allowed attendees to reclaim spaces where our Black identities and Queer identities could flourish together.
Lighthouse Foundation is thrilled to announce that we have received a generous grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to support our Coalition of Accomplices for Racial Equity (CARE) initiative.
Chicago’s Black LGBTQ+ Pride event of the summer is back! On Saturday, June 8, Lighthouse Foundation proudly hosted our highly anticipated 3rd Annual Pride Skate Party at the Martin Luther King Jr. Skate Rink on the South Side of Chicago. Once again, the event was a tremendous success, selling out and bringing together over 200 people for a night of free roller skating, bowling, food, and fun.
Learn how Lighthouse Foundation addresses inequities and fosters empowerment within the Black LGBTQ+ community through inclusive programming and advocacy. Hannah Pewee, Communications Manager, shares insights into their impactful initiatives and upcoming events.
Last month, we wrapped up our second annual BQEI Soul Food Brunch, and what a soul-stirring event it was! Set against the vibrant backdrop of Uptown, Chicago, at Wilson Abbey on May 11, this gathering brought together nearly 100 attendees, including community leaders, state representatives, and activists.
Whether you’re looking for legal services, housing help or just fun social events, these LGBTQ+ organizations are equipped to meet your needs.
On Saturday, May 18, Bronzeville, Chicago was transformed into an enchanting, brave space for nearly 200 attendees through Lighthouse Foundation’s (LF) Black LGBTQ+ Prom. This wasn't just any prom—it was a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and unity within the Black LGBTQ+ community, a space where everyone was welcomed, cherished, and free to express themselves authentically.
In our ongoing commitment to holistic wellness and community empowerment, Lighthouse Foundation recently hosted our sixth Self-Care Recharge event on Saturday, April 20. The event showcased a diverse range of healing modalities and wellness practices, all aimed at nurturing participants' minds, bodies, and spirits.
On Saturday, March 30, 2024, Lighthouse Foundation hosted our highly anticipated second annual Workforce Development Conference. This year's conference saw a remarkable surge in attendance, with numbers soaring by over 151% compared to 2023, reflecting the growing importance of tailored professional development opportunities for Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland (LF) announced the inaugural Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI) grades Saturday for AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Center on Halsted, Chicago House, and Howard Brown Health – four of the largest healthcare service and housing providers for LGBTQ+ people in Chicago.
