Center for Black Equity
Association / Organization in Washington, DC
- Address
- 1200 G St NW Suite 810, Washington, DC, 20005
- Phone
- (202) 627-0249
- Website
- centerforblackequity.org
About Center for Black Equity
The Center for Black Equity (CBE) is a Washington, DC-based organization, headquartered at 1666 K Street NW, dedicated to improving the lives of Black LGBTQ+ people globally. According to its own site, CBE works across three interconnected areas of equity: economic equity, which focuses on helping Black LGBTQ+ people compete effectively in the marketplace; social equity, which supports fair access to livelihood, education, political and cultural participation, and self-determination; and health equity, aimed at helping Black LGBTQ+ people thrive physically, behaviorally, environmentally, and spiritually. CBE's stated mission is to promote a multinational LGBTQ+ network dedicated to improving health and wellness opportunities, economic empowerment, and equal rights while promoting individual and collective work, responsibility, and self-determination. The organization supports and coordinates a global network of Black Pride events and affiliated Pride organizers, including DC Black Pride, and runs programs such as the CBE Political Action Fund, a Public Policy Network, the Ron Simmons Leadership Institute, and a voter engagement hub covering voter registration, ballot requests, and election reminders. CBE also publishes reports and toolkits on topics including the 340B Drug Pricing Program, HIV testing, COVID-19, and vaping, and maintains a blog and podcast library. The organization can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 202.641.8527.
The Center for Black Equity traces its roots to the Black Pride movement in Washington, DC. Its history began with The Children's Hour, a Black gay and lesbian festival held in DC every Memorial Day weekend from 1975 to 1990. The first official DC Black Pride was held on May 25, 1991, drawing about 800 people to Banneker Field near Howard University. In 1998, Black Pride leaders from several cities met in DC during the eighth annual DC Black Pride, an invitation issued by Earl Fowlkes, Jr. That gathering led, in 1999, to the founding of the Federation of Black Prides, later renamed the International Federation of Black Prides (IFBP) once organizers learned a Black Pride already existed in South Africa. On July 28, 2012, the IFBP Board voted to rebrand as the Center for Black Equity, refocusing the organization's mission around Health Equity, Economic Equity, and Social Equity for Black LGBTQ+ communities. In the years since, CBE has continued to expand its work, including a 2014 national consumer survey conducted with Community Marketing & Insights and the 2020 establishment of a CBE Transgender Task Force to address issues specific to the Black transgender community.
Services
- advocacy programs
- voter engagement
- policy reports
- community events
Photos
