Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland

If you want to support a wonderful organization in Chicago, today I am spotlighting an organization that is close to my heart and that is doing great justice work : Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland

Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland is a Black LGBTQ+-led, multiracial social justice organization that advances justice for Black LGBTQ+ people across Chicagoland through empowerment, education, and entertainment.

I have been involved in Lighthouse Foundation in various capacities ever since it was started in 2019 as a response to a rap band in one of the local bars/clubs. Since then it has grown into an organization that uses its wide reach to advance an all-inclusive justice for Black LGBTQ+ people across Chicagoland. 

A few examples of all-inclusive justice work include: 

• Personal justice by providing space for people to learn the skills and have tools they need to tend to themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually via self-care events, many of which I have had the opportunity to enjoy myself
• Economic justice by hiring and supporting Black LGBTQ+ people. For example, during Covid they provided paid opportunities for those, especially in the creative fields, through microgrants, and they are currently using mainly Black LGBTQ+ chiefs for the catering of their programs
• Vocational and workplace justice via workforce development programs
• Healthcare Justice organizing against healthcare funding discrepancies and healthcare care discrepancies for Black LGBTQ+ people

They have a wide range of programing in 4 main areas:

• The Arts
• Spirituality
• Racial Justice Organizing*
• Workforce Development 

In addition for the past several years one of Lighthouse Foundation's focuses has been the creation of the Black Queer Equity Index:

The Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI), a Black LGBTQ+ community-led participatory action research project to evaluate nonprofit cultures for Black LGBTQ+ staff and board members.

The BQEI, in part, is to help organizations develop the needed support systems so that Black LGBTQ+ people are best able to thrive within such organizations.

*Recently they spotlighted some of their advocacy work on Instagram:

Our journey to Springfield, IL was a powerful experience advocating for equitable funding and raising awareness on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. From impactful conversations with Illinois elected representatives to joining forces with leaders from other Black-led and Black-founded organizations, every moment was a step towards justice and Black LGBTQ+ liberation. #LGBTQActivism #BlackLivesMatter #GettingtoZero #HIV