CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com  ILLINOIS – After news that Sonya Massey, a Black woman, was fatally shot by a police officer after calling 911 for help, Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading civil rights organization, issued the following statement: “NBJC is saddened and outraged by the tragic and senseless killing of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who a police officer fatally shot after calling 911 requesting help. No one should ever be murdered, especially when seeking assistance from those sworn to ..read more

Statement from Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and executive director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading civil rights organization, on the passing of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee: “When Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said she was an advocate and fighter for ALL Black people, she meant it and backed it up with her actions.  “When the city of Houston experienced multiple murders of Black transgender women, she didn’t leave it to the local government to address the issue alone – she filed legislation in Congress to tackle the epidemic. She was an original sponsor of the Equality Act – le ..read more

CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com  WASHINGTON – Following news that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a proposed banning transgender members from inclusion in their fraternity, Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading civil rights organization, issued the following statement: “NBJC condemns the proposal by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to ban transgender members. These proposed policies are not only discriminatory and exclusionary but also an infringement on the b ..read more

CONTACT: Jordan WIlhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com STONE MOUNTAIN, GA– The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the death of Shannon Boswell, a 31-year-old Black transgender woman from Georgia. She was killed in what was initially thought to be a hit-and-run but was later discovered to be a shooting on July 2, 2024.  Loved ones have described Shannon as the light of the party and a very sweet person. She had a boyfriend who advocated to the police on her behalf.  “My heart breaks for Shannon and all those who loved her,” said Victoria Kirby York, Director of Public Polic ..read more

CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com  WASHINGTON – Following news that the Biden administration has come out in opposition to gender-affirming surgery for minors, a devastating blow for transgender youth across the country, Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading civil rights organization, issued the following statement: “NBJC is deeply disheartened by the recent statement from the Biden administration opposing gender-affirming surgery for minors. For a president that has been a steadfast supporter of trans ..read more

CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com  WASHINGTON – Following news that President Joe Biden pardoned LGBTQ+ military members who were discharged or prosecuted because of their sexual orientation, providing a path to clear their records and apply for veterans benefits, Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading civil rights organization, issued the following statement: “NBJC applauds President Biden for his decisive action to pardon LGBTQ+ military service members who were unjustly discharged or prosecuted becau ..read more

CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com Research Finds a Majority of Black People Support Black LGBTQ+; Passive Allies Are Moveable with Right Messaging WASHINGTON — Today, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), in partnership with HIT Strategies, unveiled a groundbreaking national survey exploring how the Black LGBTQ+ community is viewed among Black people. The research was supported by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), LGBTQ Task Force, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Family Equality, and the GLSEN. VIEW THE FULL SURVEY FINDINGS HERE.  One of the first surv ..read more

CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com  SAN FRANCISCO – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the death of Michelle Henry, a 25-year-old Black transgender woman who was strangled and stabbed to death on May 15th, 2024 in San Francisco. “Michelle was a source of positive energy and committed to trans liberation. She was a ray of light for our team and so many others she connected with at the (SF LGBT) center,” Executive Director Rebecca Rolf said. “Her warmth and presence were felt in every room she walked in.  She was kind, deeply caring, courageous, and f ..read more

CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com  MOBILE, AL – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the death of Tayy Dior Thomas, a 17-year-old Black transgender girl who was shot to death on May 7th, 2024 in Mobile, Alabama. “Tayy was deeply loved and always had a huge smile on her face,” her grandmother said, recalling how selfless she was. Her body was found when police responded to a report of shots being fired at her home.  In addition to shots being fired, a vehicle crashed into her house.   Carl Washington Jr., 20, has been arrested and charged wi ..read more

WASHINGTON – Following news that the Biden administration announced the formal rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III from its Schedule I designation, Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a leading civil rights organization, issued the following statement: “The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) commends President Joe Biden for initiating the formal rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana from its current Schedule I designation to Schedule III. This significant step marks a long-overdue shift in federal polic ..read more