Blog
Welcome to the Lighthouse Foundation blog! Here, we share comprehensive recaps of our recent programming, celebrate our achievements, and provide updates on our ongoing initiatives. Explore, engage, and be inspired by the change we're creating together.
Third Coast CFAR | Lighthouse Foundation Honors Black LGBTQ+ Community with World AIDS Day Event
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 Invites Nonprofits Across America to Join the National Black Queer Equity Index 2025 Cohort
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.
Fostering Collaboration and Community among LGBTQ+ Organizations: Key Takeaways from the Inaugural Annual BQEI Convening
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.
Fostering Further Well-Being at August’s Self-Care Recharge
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.
Celebrating Our 5-Year Anniversary with Drag, Community Leaders, and Support for Our Impactful Work
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.
Celebrating Pride Beachside: A Recap of Our Inaugural Black LGBTQ+ Beach Day
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 Receives Grant from Henry Luce Foundation to Support CARE Initiative
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.
Celebrating Pride on the South Side at Our 3rd Annual Skate Party
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.
NBC Chicago Today | Lighthouse Foundation empowers the Black LGBTQ+ community
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.
Remixing New Worlds: A Recap of the 2024 BQEI Soul Food Brunch
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.
Block Club Chicago | 19 Chicago LGBTQ+ Organizations To Support Year-Round
Whether you’re looking for legal services, housing help or just fun social events, these LGBTQ+ organizations are equipped to meet your needs.
Reclaiming the Prom Experience: A Recap of Our Southside Black LGBTQ+ Prom
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.
“Black Queer Folks Deserve These Things”: Lighthouse Foundation’s Latest Self-Care Recharge Event
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.
Workforce Development by Black LGBTQ+ People, for Black LGBTQ+ People: Lighthouse Foundation’s Second Annual Workforce Development Conference
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 Reveals How Four of Chicago’s Largest Healthcare and Housing-Related Organizations Are Serving Black LGBTQ+ Workers and Board Members
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.
Idealist | Who's Hiring? 12 Organizations Uplifting the Black Community
Black History Month is meant to honor the vast spectrum of Black American experiences and the countless ways the Black community has enriched American society, despite the overwhelming obstacles presented by systemic oppression that, in many ways, are still ongoing today. This week’s post spotlights just some of the orgs that are dedicated to supporting the Black community.
Advocacy in Action: Our Legislative Advocacy Trip to the State Capitol
On February 7, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland embarked on a crucial journey to Springfield, Illinois, advocating for equitable funding alongside other Black-founded and Black-led organizations.
Commencing A Journey Towards Justice: Lighthouse Foundation's 2024 CARE Retreat
On Saturday, January 13, Lighthouse Foundation hosted our second annual CARE Retreat. A day dedicated to shaping a brighter future, the retreat aimed to introduce new faces to the impactful work of our organization and to set the stage for a year of transformative initiatives.
A Night of Reflection, Inspiration, and Advocacy: Lighthouse Foundation’s 3rd Annual World AIDS Day Commemoration
On Friday, December 1, Lighthouse Foundation (LF) hosted our 3rd Annual World AIDS Day Commemoration at the esteemed Gallery Guichard, a Black-owned art gallery in the historic Bronzeville, Chicago. This event, which has become a tradition for our organization, serves as a poignant reflection on the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and a celebration of the unwavering resilience within our community.
Celebrating Progress and Unity: The 2023 Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI) Happy Hour
On Thursday, November 2, 2023, Lighthouse Foundation (LF) hosted our second Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI) Happy Hour at the prestigious Tavern Club at 333 in Downtown Chicago. The opulent venue provided the perfect backdrop for an evening that brought together nearly 100 community members and leaders.