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.

For over two and a half years, our BQEI has diligently collected data to understand and define equity within the nonprofit sector. The centerpiece of the Happy Hour was unveiling the new BQEI rubric, a comprehensive roadmap designed to empower nonprofits to create environments where Black LGBTQ+ individuals can thrive authentically. This tool, comprised of 12 indicators, aims to position organizations to serve their workforce and the community better.

The event showcased the positive impact of the BQEI on the community, with several influential figures taking the stage to share their perspectives. Angela Barnes (kyu Collective, former Center on Halsted board member), Timothy Jackson (AIDS Foundation Chicago), Terra Campbell (Howard Brown Health), and our Executive Director, Jamie Frazier, offered powerful remarks on the importance of the BQEI and its tangible outcomes.

"Equity begins at home," emphasized Jackson, "This is not something we do once a year when it’s strategic planning time or when you quarterly take the plan off the shelf and dust it off; it's a culture shift in understanding how we meaningfully impact the day-to-day lives of Black Queer staff and board members in order to engage them to do this work."

Campbell echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of using a framework built by those who have experienced the challenges firsthand. "If you want to transform your organization, you must use a framework that is built by the people who have been suffering...I hope that every organization looking for a way to make change utilizes this framework. [We need] a chance to advance, feel safe, and know that we have policies and people who will protect us and allow us to grow."

The event was not only a platform for leaders but also a space for community members to learn more about the BQEI. One attendee shared their experience, stating, "This was my second day of employment and sixth day in Chicago. I had a fantastic time and was so thankful that I went!"

Another attendee added, ""[I liked] being in community with like-minded professionals. [I] came to an event two years ago, and I'm excited to see how [LF] has grown."

We thank Grand Victoria Foundation and ViiV Healthcare for sponsoring the event, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in driving positive change.

For those inspired by the BQEI and eager to delve into the details, we invite everyone to download the rubric and report, based on three years of interviews, surveys, and research with Black LGBTQ+ staff and board members, at bit.ly/BQEIUpdate. As we continue to champion equity, the BQEI Happy Hour stands as a beacon of progress, unity, and the transformative power of community-driven initiatives.