Zuna Institute
National Advocacy Organization for Black Lesbians


Monthly Newsletter                                                                August 2010
In This Issue
Zuna Institute Team
2011 NBLC
Member Profile
Video Project
Employment Non-Discrimination
Find us on Facebook
Donate to Zuna Institute

We would like to acknowledge and thank our funders,
Arcus Foundation
Gill Foundation
Astraea Lesbian Foundation
Horizon's Foundation,
and a thank you to all of our individual supporters.

 

francine
Greetings!

Celebrating Ten Years  
Just the beginning
 

Ten years ago, Zuna Institute, the first of its kind, embarked on a journey to become a national organization that provides services to the Black lesbian community.   Many of you remember our inaugural conference held in Atlanta, GA in 2001. Today, we are the oldest national organization with a primary mission to provide education and resources to the Black lesbian community.    I want to thank everyone for their continued support of Zuna Institute.
Last year, we conducted The National Black Lesbian Needs Assessment Survey.  The purpose was to examine the unique experiences, perspectives, and priorities for the Black lesbian community.  With this data, Zuna will develop programs, campaigns, and create an advocacy agenda by and for the Black lesbian community.

Our unique findings and studies are now available in a report
Available for Download New July 2010


 
The report focuses on five key areas: Invisibility, Aging, Identity, Health and Family.  There is still a lot of work ahead of us and I invite you all to join the work of advocating for Black lesbians. 

What's Next
This fall we are hosting half-day conferences to present the data from the report and holding Town Hall meetings to dialogue around the key areas. We are going to visit Denver, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago and invite local community leaders in each region to have dialogue on how the wealth of this report can assist local or state-wide advocacy efforts.  Zuna Insitute will also explore deeper issues that affect the Black lesbian community and allied groups. 

Please contact [email protected] if you want us to visit your city.

Special thanks to my co-authors, Dr. Marjorie Hill and Cassondra Kellan for making this study come to life.  Also thank you to Arcus Foundation, Gill Foundation and  Astraea Lesbian Foundation for justice for their generous to support this project. 

In solidarity,
Francine
[email protected]
 

Zuna Institute Team

stephanie          vallerie wagner         cynthia walston
  Stephanie Daniels         Vallerie Wagner          Cynthia Walston

Stephanie Daniels
Director of Finance and Operations

Stephanie brings more than ten years of financial management experience to Zuna Institute as our director of finance and operations, where she oversees all budgetary, fiscal, and operations of the organization. Congratulations to Stephanie for earning her MBA from Mills College in May 2010.

Vallerie Wagner
Conference Coordinator

A Los Angeles resident, Vallerie has been advocating for the LGBT for over 20 years and has been an integral part of the planning committee for the National Black Lesbian Conference for 10 years. 

Cynthia Walston
Technology Manager


A Sacramento resident, Cynthia brings more than 10 years of experience in the technology field. She is the technical advisor for projects and website administrator.


2011 National Black Lesbian Conference

Save the Date!
June 30, 2011 - July 3, 2011

Walt Disney World
Orlando, Florida

Share the news!


Member Profile - Kaz Mitchell
Kaz Mitchell

Kaz has been an official member of Zuna Institute for over two years. 

Here's why...

Kaz says she has been in love with Zuna Institute because they care deeply about the underserved community.  She appreciates that people are out there convening to try and address the health issues of black women.  Zuna Institute is not afraid to talk about the issues of HIV/AIDs.   Kaz also knows how important it is for Black Lesbians to be included in the data because no one else is doing the calculations.
Thanks for your support Kaz and keep up the good work in NY.   

Get to know Kaz Mitchell

Kaz Mitchell, Comedian/Dancer and Community Activist, New York KAZ delivers her positive messages through art, as she is also serves as the Director of Circle of Voices Inc. She was honored by LAP (Lesbian AIDS Project) for making a difference, Kaz was a comic for the Fresh Fruit Festival at NUYORICAN CAF� in NYC, the opening act for DC- Black Pride's "Sophisticated Ladies Productions" Host Party Memorial Day Weekend 2010.
 
Circle of Voices Inc. is a LGBT arts presentational organization.  www.circleofvoicesinc.org
www.facebookcom/circleofvoicesinc
Bookings: www.facebookcom/nykaz    
Email:[email protected]
Phone: 718-975-0141

Find me on Facebook

Upcoming video project
Thanks to a grant from the Horizons Foundation, we are collaborating with The NIA Collective and Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project on a video project that will be used to raise support for same-sex marriage among people of color. 
 
If you are a couple with children living in the SF/Bay Area and would like to assist with this project by sharing your family's story please contact [email protected] 
 
Thank you for all your support!

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.


Now it's time to make sure our representatives know about our support of an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act that protects all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Make their phones ring!

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-3121
and have them connect you to your Representative (based on your zip code).

Tell them:

I am a constituent and I would like you to please tell Representative ________  that I strongly support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

Thank you for all your support! 
 
Sincerely,

Francine Ramsey
Zuna Institute
Zuna Institute is a national advocacy organization for Black Lesbians that addresses such issues as health, economic development, education, and public policy.  Zuna Institute brings about visibility and empowerment to the Black Lesbian community, and strives to eliminate barriers that are deeply rooted in public policies that encourage homophobia, economic and educational injustices, and other forms of social discrimination.