Black and Brown Summit

IFBP to Convene National Black and Brown Summit

During Philadelphia Black Gay Pride

The International Federation of Black Prides, Inc. (IFBP) announces the formation of the Black/Brown Coalition and will convene the first National Black and Brown Summit on Friday, April 25, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia in conjunction with Philadelphia Black Gay Pride weekend (April 24 to 27, 2008).

The Black/Brown Coalition was conceptualized by Carolina Ramos, Latino Services Coordinator, San Diego LGBT Community Center and Earl Fowlkes, IFBP President/CEO after a joint presentation on reaching out to LGBT Communities of Color for the Democratic National Committee Western Region training in Las Vegas, NV in March 2007.

The IFBP is a coalition of twenty nine Black Pride organizations formed to promote a multinational network of LGBT/Same Gender Loving Pride and community based organizations dedicated to building solidarity, health and wellness, promoting unity, and ensuring the development of education, economic empowerment, and individual and collective work, responsibility, and self determination. Over 350,000 people attended Black Prides in the United States in 2007.

''The purpose of the National Black and Brown Summit is to identify areas for potential collaboration between African American and Latino LGBT communities, leaders, organizations, and grass roots movements,'' said Earl Fowlkes.

In short, the IFBP is hoping the summit will help to inspire African American and Latino LGBT communities' action, motivate young leadership, accentuate and embolden our collective political power and voice in this very important election year and beyond. ''We are really excited about the possibilities of this historical summit based on feedback from both communities over the past few months'' said Ramos.

Other members of the Black/Brown Coalition include Michael Hinson, IFBP Board Chair; Marjorie Hill, Gay Men Health Crisis, Executive Director; Jose M. Roman, Executive Director for Restricted Funds and Financial Compliance at Columbia University; Lillian Nieves, Puerto Rican Initiative to Develop Empowerment and Antonio Cardona, Strategic Partners Manager, Pillsbury United Communities.

Registration is $25 which includes materials, breakfast and lunch. The registration form can be downloaded on the IFBP web site. The Summit will be preceded by a reception on Thursday evening April 24, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza from 6 to 8 PM. The IFBP will be providing live coverage of portions of the Summit on the IFBP web site: www.ifbprides.org. The Summit is funded by generous support of the Gill Foundation, Calamus Foundation and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Download the Registration Form