Clik Magazine Chats with IFBP

By Clik Magazine

It's that time of the year again the kickoff for Black Pride events that begins with the Austin Relay Pride Celebration and concludes with the Shreveport Black Pride. It's a wonderful time for members, families and friends of the LGBT community, nationally and internationally. And while local pride organizations are busy at work, there's another less conspicuous group of hard workers that continue to commit themselves to the administrative details needed for local prides to host an effective, efficient and cost conscious week or weekend of activities the International Federation of Black Prides (IFBP).

But what's the real story behind the ''FED'' and their leader, Earl Fowlkes? What's their mission and purpose and does the LGBT community know that this resource even exists?

In a recent poll conducted by CLIK, when asked if the Federation was doing enough to increase visibility and support at Black pride events nationwide, almost 47 percent responded that they had never heard of the group while an additional 19 percent said that either a lot more work needs to be done or that they are not happy with the service currently provided by the IFBP. On the other hand, 23 percent responded that Fowlkes and his crew are doing an excellent job while another 11 percent said their work is OK. So, what can one conclude from these findings? Does the Federation need more exposure or a complete makeover?

IFBP Executive Director, Earl Fowlkes started with the organization in 1999 as one of its founders when it was first envisioned as a support group and until this year has served as the group's leader without pay. He admits that more people need to know about the Federation and its services and says he and his staff are committed to doing something about it.

''I'll have to admit that the IFBP does not have a face that people know primarily due to the limited access to information that is germane to our population,'' he said. ''To get information to our community is tough because we [the LGBT community] don't have a lot of websites, newspapers or magazines committed to getting our story told. We are in the midst of putting together a branding campaign so more folks will know about us and the kinds of things we can do for the local prides.

''We are getting about 250 hits per day on our website [www.ifbprides.org] and while that's a decent amount it's still a drop in the bucket given the number of people out there. We know we need to do branding if our people don't know about us then our sponsors and potential founders may be less willing to support our endeavors.

''Except for CLIK, there are no other magazines, no media outlets that get the word out about the Federation or about the various prides,'' he said. ''For example, in Chicago, you have to go to Boystown to get information for and about us. The task immediately before us therefore is improving the way we connect with one another. Right now word is mouth is the primary means and that's just not good enough anymore.''

Fundraising and Finding Funds

The IFBP is a 501C3 not for profit organization with annual dues totaling $100 per year. According to Fowlkes the Federation focuses on funding sources rather than fundraising so as to avoid being in direct conflict with its members.

''If we were all doing fundraising in order to secure the funds we need, we would be going after the same people,'' he said. ''We have established relationships with organizations like the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and the Gill Foundation that give money either directly to the Federation or provide money for specific projects, like the technical assistance training we do each year that Gill sponsors. None of our staff members are full time employees. In fact, this is the first year I have ever received a stipend of any kind and I'm a part time employee. Besides a small amount of money that is earmarked for staff support, we have a person who is contracted and paid to maintain our website.''

Fundraising for the local prides is certainly a priority for every local pride director and their members. And many of our readers know to put on quality events it takes a lot of grunt work and money.

''I think it's safe to say that our local Black Pride event, as well as many other member cities within the IFBP, may still need help with fundraising,'' said Dwayne Jackson, founder and president, Nashville Black Pride. ''This in no way means that we don't have loyal financial sponsors and supporters that always come through each year. It's just that the younger cities like Nashville generally have to depend on parties and internal committee donations to maintain a healthy balance in the bank after everything is paid for. There are only so many parties, themed or otherwise, that provide folks with an opportunity to openly give us some coins. It's not that we are not realistic and know that people like to get something when they fork over any amount of money. But it would be nice to get a regular stream of unrestricted donations/funds throughout the year instead of hunting for grants that you may sign for in blood, or beating the streets begging. One of the good things about our annual IFBP TA & Membership Meeting is that we have had a great line up of workshops devoted to help us find other forms of revenue, as well as tackle other important issues that we all have in common.''

What Have They Done for You Lately?

CLIK asked local pride directors how they compared their goals to those of the Federation and in what, if any, specific areas they needed assistance. Jenkins replied that he sees the goals of the local prides and the Federation as being similar in content.

''We want to provide our community with the highest level of well planned out events that educate, empower, affirm and entertain our Black LGBT/Same Gender Loving communities,'' he said. ''Each of us would like our participants to physically see and feel that our individual Pride celebrations are not just a host of parties or sexually charged gatherings, but something that includes culturally specific opportunities for growth, networking and making or reconnecting with friends and family.'

' ''If you read our mission statement as posted on our website, it may appear that we are too vague in terms of stating what we hope to accomplish, but given the diversity of the prides across the country and in Canada, we have to be as broad as possible,'' Fowlkes said. ''First, we seek to foster economic development for all prides it costs money to put on the wonderful events that we see each year. Then, as a national organization we strive to model behavior that the local groups can follow.

''If your goal is to plan an inclusive LGBT event for Black pride, you have to be a part of the Federation,'' said Charles Nelson, president, Windy City Pride (Chicago). ''You can't have an event for the boys and not include everyone else. That's what sets events sanctioned by the IFBP apart from others - they're a unified network with guidelines that make sure whatever the activity might be, that it's something that promotes a positive image both for the Federation and the local pride. The IFBP is the governing body for what qualifies an official pride event and their efforts have really made it possible for the local prides to become a real network we're connected to one another and we support each other. To be an official pride event you have to be diverse and offer programs or events that encompass the whole LGBT community. Some might think that the IFBP isn't necessary - that we can do this on our own, but I would disagree. You need standards and procedures and a national organization can establish those guidelines and then work with local groups to make sure they follow them. A lot of cities have events for the LGBT community but they aren't official pride events because they don't include everyone. It's all about enhancing the image of the LGBT community.''

''It's also important to recognize that the LGBT is not a monolithic community,'' Fowlkes said. ''Each city, and by extension every pride, has its own various needs no two local prides are alike. We are available to provide technical assistance, to facilitate the locals' efforts to get their 501C3, to serve as instructors as local prides seek sponsors and to mediate any conflicts that may occur.''

Conflict within and among the LGBT family? Who would ever have guessed? Consider one real life situation that occurred in the Windy City and bears witness to the kind of support that the Federation can and does provide. Several years ago, Fowlkes and his staff were called upon to stabilize a fragmented Chicago community in which there were not one but two groups claiming to be the official ''pride'' voice.

''The Federation was really needed for us at the point the previous administration walked away and things here in Chicago were really in shambles,'' Nelson said. ''Earl and his crew stepped in and helped us get another body in place so that Black pride would continue in Chicago. They didn't come in and tell us what to do nor did they tell us everything we needed to do to get back on our feet. But they sure helped. They gave us the guidance we needed while emphasizing that we were going to have to find and then follow our own unique mission.''

The Challenge of Leadership and Preparing for the Future

It is interesting to note how connected the Federation seems to be with the local pride directors. For example, as this story was being prepared, Fowlkes and the local directors were in conversation about the questions this reporter asked and how it would be viewed by our readers. And for people like Anthony Hardaway, who is an IFBP board member and one of the hosts of the Memphis Black Pride, this rapport is something that is needed within the LGBT community and the pride system.

''Our leadership primarily consists of volunteers, whether it is at the local or national level,'' Hardaway said. ''We communicate with each other often and we need to. After all, we are all going for the same things inclusiveness, diversity, educating the LGBT community and enlightening those of our race who are not LGBT. And we need leaders who can share their vision and help to prepare the next generation of leaders.''

Hardaway went on to say that the first step is to get involved and to remember that pride is more than simply throwing a party.

''It's not that hard to get involved the Federation provides a structure and will even offer a hand when someone wants to start an effective pride event,'' he said. ''But I think those who are on the outside just think all we do or should do is throw parties and that's not all we are. IFBP is like a mother to any pride event and you need structure and order. In that regards, the Federation gives instruction to the local prides but it also helps politically too. It's important that we reach out to our political officials so that they are aware of what we are doing, know who we are and recognize the importance of including our needs and concerns as members of their constituency.

''Perhaps the challenge we face from a leadership perspective is that the LGBT community tends to be very youth focused. I'm not saying that is good or bad but that it is. And we have a lot of the younger crowd who come out to the pride events seeking parties and the night life. But they don't really seek knowledge. I think it's the responsibility of the older folks like me to teach and educate this younger generation. I think that may be part of the reason why our community as a whole knows so little about the IFBP we aren't seeking information about ways to enhance our communities in general or our own lives specifically and besides the internet it's tough to find such information that is specific to people of color. It isn't so much that the Federation doesn't have a face, it's just that too many people still don't recognize us when they see us or the work that we're doing. I would like to think that the Federation is working to change that.''

Strength in Numbers

Portland Black Pride is the first and longest running Black Pride in the Pacific Northwest and their executive director, Darryl L.C. Moch says one of the real assets of being a member of the Federation is the strength that comes with numbers.

''The Federation's main objective is to empower local prides to access greater financial support, political support and to become part of the dialogue of issues facing Black people,'' said Moch, who is also an original founder (founding secretary) of the IFBP. ''Being part of the larger unified entity gives the smaller prides (and some of the larger ones) more access to funding streams, marketing and exposure to larger bodies of people that we could do on our won. For instance, since Portland has become a part of the Federation this year, more interest has been generated and more people are considering coming to share in our community. Is the Federation necessary? Yes. There is power in numbers, power in solidarity and there is greater influence when we can all come together on similar issues and agendas that will help improve the lives and quality of life for all of our communities of LGBT/SGL people of African descent.''

Dwayne Jenkins, Founder & President, Nashville Black Pride, echoed Moch's sentiments and paralleled the advantages to membership with the Federation to his experiences as a member of a historically Black fraternity. ''Even though the divine nine [Black] fraternities and sororities aren't LGBT founded, each has both undergraduate and graduate level affiliations with each other,'' Jenkins said. ''As an IFBP board member, I think it is amazing that a group of Black LGBT organizations can come together to work for the greater good of all of our communities of color that we reach out to. The IFBP allows us to gather under one roof to share, educate and rejuvenate one another during the annual meetings. Spending time allows with each other allows us to get to know our members on both a professional and personal way and while this type of global networking may sound corny, it really means something to those who take the time to get to know people.'' Fowlkes says that he feels fortunate in that he has not faced any major setbacks since assuming the leadership position for the Federation and says the primary problem remains the same money, or lack thereof.

''For most of our local prides the issue remains how to raise enough money to put on quality events and programs,'' he said. '' They have to develop expertise in dealing with their local health departments since those entities tend to be major sponsors no matter what city you may live in. But the other thing that we try to provide for the local prides is a way to make the transition smoother when there are changes in leadership, which for some prides happens almost every year. Leadership changes demand that those who come on board have a skill set that is conducive to being a leader and that's not always the case. In addition, we often have to challenge our local prides to reach out to the entire community sometimes that means to our sisters or to the transgendered members of the LGBT family. We sometimes see very strong personalities within our body and sometimes it's the conflict between groups or individuals that serves as a barrier and discourages participation at the local pride events. That's something we are still working on when we are called as well dealing with conflict resolution.''

The IFBP continues to strive to support local prides and to make it possible for more cities to join the group and as Fowlkes reminds us, the organization continues to grow in numbers.

''Last year we added Austin, Portland, Seattle and Pittsburgh all smaller cities but with people who have clearly developed a real sense of community. '' Fowlkes said. '' Pride is not just about what's happening in D.C., Chicago. LA and Atlanta. It's growing everywhere in a myriad of ways and we want to help to foster that growth in whatever positive means that we can.''