Celebrating Our 5-Year Anniversary with Drag, Community Leaders, and Support for Our Impactful Work

Jul 22

Happy five years of Lighthouse Foundation (LF)! Since our founding in 2019, we’ve seen an exponential growth trajectory as an organization. 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.

At Lighthouse Foundation, all of our programming is unabashedly Black and Queer, which is why this wasn’t any ordinary fundraiser. It featured drag, drinks, games, and iconic queer music and brought our community together for a lively celebration.

Attendees reveled in electrifying drag performances by the sensational Kenya J. Sanchez and enjoyed drag bingo hosted by the hilarious and iconic Olaysia. Funds from admission and bingo card purchases directly supported our integral work of advancing Black LGBTQ+ justice, providing attendees with a fun and unique way to support our cause.

Prizes for bingo were generously donated by community members, including free workout sessions with fitness instructor, Paulo Colby, free massage therapy services from Felicia Saffold, and free health coaching sessions with Lauren Roper.

Throughout the event, we heard inspiring remarks from notable LF stakeholders. Pastor Rebecca Anderson of Gilead Church, a dedicated supporter of our Coalition of Accomplices for Racial Equity (CARE) initiative, shared her reflections on the importance of our work and how accomplices can step up to help Black LGBTQ+-led and founded organizations like LF. Lighthouse Foundation staff members, including Marcus Payne II, Dr. Allen Thomas, and Hannah Pewee, also took the stage to share their thoughts and experiences working for the organization, highlighting the impact of the Foundation’s efforts over the past five years and the change they’ve witnessed firsthand.

Lighthouse Foundation emerged as a standalone social justice organization by responding to a pressing need for justice and equity within Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community in the summer of 2019, following a series of racist incidents in Northhalsted. Through our free monthly programming in arts, wellness, workforce development, and workplace equity, thousands of Black LGBTQ+ individuals across Chicago have experienced healing, resources, community connection, economic advancement, and a sense of belonging.

Reflecting on Glitter & Giving, Executive Director Jamie Frazier encapsulated the essence of the day: “For the past five years, Lighthouse Foundation has provided transformative programming and initiatives, igniting a wildfire of Black Queer liberation across Chicagoland. As we celebrate our 5-Year Anniversary, we are proud to convene this community, curating an event that celebrates our journey, connects us all, and catalyzes the growth of our organization for the future. Together, we create healing and empowerment for all Black LGBTQ+ people involved.”

As we celebrate five years of justice, equity, and empowerment, we are energized and ready to continue our mission. Glitter & Giving was a testament to the incredible support from our community and the significant strides we have made together. Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and believed in the vision of Lighthouse Foundation. Together, over $7,000 was raised through this event; we are creating the change we wish to see in our community. Here’s to many more years of advocacy, celebration, and impactful work!