WASHINGTON, February 1—SpeakOut, a national nonprofit organization with 9,000 LGBTQIA+ members of color nationwide, has announced the expansion of its board of directors. The move comes as part of the organization’s strategic efforts to further invest in chapter development, programming, and marketing to better serve and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community.

The five newly elected members are: Charles Basham III, Marketing and Social Media Chair; Jordan Foster, Legal Affairs Chair; Kolbey Gardner, Technology Chair; Dr. Marcus North, Chapter Development Chair; and Thiago Pego, Programming and Events Chair.

SpeakOut’s newest board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization, with a shared passion for advancing the rights and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community. Their diverse backgrounds and skills will play a crucial role in driving SpeakOut’s mission forward. Led by Antonio Driver, SpeakOut has been at the forefront of championing and celebrating queer people of color. Its annual “I Am Awards,” now in its third year, has recognized individuals and organizations doing phenomenal work in and for the queer community.

Investing in chapter development is a key focus of this expansion, as it will empower SpeakOut to establish a wider network of local chapters that can address the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals in various communities. “In order to create a more inclusive and empowering community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, we must be present in spaces where it is harder to live authentically,” said JaRel Clay, SpeakOut’s first vice president. “We plan to expand in America’s major cities and also grow a presence in smaller towns that would benefit from our programming and resources.”

Enhancing programming is another vital aspect of SpeakOut’s growth strategy. The expanded Board of Directors will work collaboratively to develop and implement innovative programs that promote education, awareness, and empowerment while partnering with other dynamic organizations within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Antonio Driver, President of SpeakOut, expressed excitement about the expansion, stating, “As a leader in the LGBTQIA+ advocacy space, SpeakOut is committed to evolving with the changing needs of our community. The addition of these dedicated individuals to our Board of Directors signifies a significant step towards strengthening our organization and amplifying our impact. Together, we will continue to push boundaries and create positive change.”

SpeakOut invites the community, supporters, and allies to join them in celebrating this milestone and looks forward to the positive outcomes that will arise from the expanded Board of Directors.

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SpeakOut is a nonprofit community engagement organization representing more than 9,000 same-gender-loving (SGL) men and women of color. Since 2017, Speak Out has served as a safe space for creating meaningful connections across the LGBTQ+ community.

Washington, D.C. – Black gay and bisexual men and trans women overwhelmingly support Democratic Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren, according to a new poll conducted in SpeakOUT‘s Facebook group representing 6,100 Black same-gender-loving men and trans women in 44 states.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders round out the voting sample.

Of note, Pete Buttigieg received zero votes.

Quick Facts About the Poll and Facebook Group

• 74.8 percent of the sample are voters between the ages of 18-45 and located in both urban regions and rural towns across the United States.
  • 70 percent of the group hails from what many consider melting pots for the Black LGBT population including: Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Houston. The group also includes members from smaller towns in Alabama, North Carolina, and Arkansas.
• Nearly one-third (65 percent) of respondents do not have a college degree, while 29 percent of the group has at least two college degrees.
• In the comments section of the poll post, many commented that their second choice was represented by Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, or Joe Biden. While all candidates were listed as an option, no one selected Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, Tom Steyer, Deval Patrick, Mike Bloomberg, Andrew Yang, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, or Michael Bennett as their first or second choice for President.
• The original post and names of members in the private Facebook group have been excluded from data for public use, as there are members of the group who wish to keep their sexual identity private.

SpeakOUT is solely providing data from one of its posts and does not endorse any candidate for any political position.

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SpeakOUT is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to creating a cyber-safe space where same-gender-loving people can share experiences and give advice on any topic that relates to them. SpeakOUT is a welcoming, open-minded community focused on creating vibrant, healthy relationships with each other and having fun in the process.