Evaluation Report:
Center for Black Equity’s 2024 Black Pride Leadership Summit Richmond, Virginia
Evaluated by: Silas Burris, Ph.D.
Grant ID: G-2023-16645
Center for Black Equity’s 2024 Black Pride Leadership Summit, an initiative that “equips Black Pride activists across the country with skills that will enable existing Black Pride celebrations to sustain and provide opportunities for the Black Queer voices” was funded through ViiV Healthcare’s “Positive Action Community Grants Project Support”
Overview: The Center for Black Equity successfully organized the 2024 Black Pride Leadership Summit at Omni Richmond Hotel in Richmond, VA, during the week of July 17-19, 2024.
Funded through ViiV Healthcare’s “Positive Action Community Grants Project Support,” this Leadership Summit was designed to equip Black LGBTQ+ Pride activists across the country with skills that will enable existing Black Pride celebrations to sustain and provide opportunities for the Black queer voices Plenaries, presentations, panels, and discussions were facilitated by attendees, Center for Black Equity staff, as well as guests from collaborative partners contributed to the 2024 Black Pride Leadership Summit’s programming. Quantitative and qualitative response data from attendees were combined with programming information provided by Center for Black Equity to develop an evaluation of efforts to achieve the following programmatic goals:
Goal 1: Successfully recruit at least 40 activists and advocates to attend the Summit and engage in collaborative workshops.
Goal 2: At least 90% of the participants report positive impressions of their experience and collaborations.
Goal 3: Have 100% of participants utilize the Black Pride Network Forum
Goal 4: Each pride will report at least one regional, or sponsor, connection that may assist in their organizations work.
Executive Summary
The evaluation conducted at the 2024 Black Pride Leadership Summit aimed to assess the extent to which the Center for Black Equity (CBE) achieved its programmatic goals. The Summit served as a platform to empower Black Pride activists, offer relevant tools, and foster solidarity within the Black LGBTQ+ community. Leveraging the Black Pride Leadership network, the weekend in Richmond, VA served as a catalyst for sharing leadership knowledge and professional goal setting for nationwide efforts to serve the Black LGBTQ+ community through pride events and additional community services. This report outlines the evaluation findings, showcasing the Summit's value through attendee demographics, notable guests, session topics, and the analysis of the provided results. It was found that Center for Black Equity, with financial support provided by ViiV’s Positive Action Community grant was able to achieve all its 2024 goals for this gathering of leaders.
1. Attendee Demographics and Representation
The Summit successfully drew 54 activists, advocates, and leaders from Black Pride organizations across 28 U.S. states, including: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, as well as a representative from England. Together these leaders preside over 37 Prides in U.S. cities and one in London, England (see Appendix: Attendee Regions). This diverse representation was crucial in creating a multifaceted dialogue and fostering a national perspective on Black LGBTQ+ issues. Attendee ages ranged from 28 to 69, with an average age of 49 years old, with 53% of attendees identifying as Male, showcasing a broad spectrum of leadership experience and perspectives within this gathering
When asked to identify their reasons for attending the Black Pride Leadership Summit, Networking was found to be the highest priority among attendees, followed by opportunities to increase skill-building, learning about community engagement, and professional development
Networking
Skill-building
Learning About Community Engagement
Professional Development
2. Notable Guests and Collaborations
The presence of key entities such as ViiV Healthcare and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), underscored the Summit's timely significance as social justice and public health concerns for the Black LGBTQ+ community may come up during an election cycle. Collaborations with these institutions facilitated discussions on critical issues, provided resources, and allowed for fruitful networking opportunities, aligning with the Summit's objectives.
3. Relevance of Session Topics
The Summit's agenda covered a wide array of pertinent topics addressing challenges within the Black and Queer community. Sessions included: “Mental Health and Self Care As Leaders of Black Pride” (hosted by Center for Black Equity); “Hidden Agendas: How to not be used by "pop up" organizations/and corporate funders” (facilitated by Center for Black Equity and UK Black Pride); “What tools do you need to get your community civically engaged?” (hosted by Center for Black Equity); “Human Rights Campaign Pride in the Polls” (hosted by HRC); “Vaping as Harm Reduction for the Black LGBTQ+ Community” (presentation by Dr. Robert Shapiro; “How to know your Community Liaisons Are and What has your experience been?” (hosted by ViiV Healthcare); and “Engagement in National Awareness days- Why and why Not?” (hosted by Center for Black Equity).
4. Attendee Feedback
Qualitative feedback revealed an overwhelmingly positive response from attendees. 84% of attendees indicated that the Summit offered highly relevant topics to the Black and Queer community, with 16% offering their praise for the gathering but offering clear guidance on what
topics they would have liked to see included to support their work. 93% of attendees reported receiving tools or resources, highlighting the practical benefits of the Summit's offerings. All attendees found workshop topics and discussion highly relevant to their work. Of note, it was found that 25% of participants shared their appreciation for the session focused on Mental Health and Self-Care as one of the most relevant topics for their work. Moreover, the unanimous agreement (100%) among attendees to participate in future Black Pride Leadership Summits and the networking it offers, reaffirming the event's success and value to the community. Two individuals suggested an increased focus on grant writing, marketing, and developing sponsor-relationships for future summits, which was taken into consideration by Summit planners Attendees also referenced a desire for more examples of sponsor letters and “hands on” manuals for program implementations to be modeled in their respective cities.
5. Evaluation of Program Goals
Goal 1: Recruitment of Activists.
While the initial goal was to recruit at least 40 activists and advocates, the Summit attracted 54 Black LGBTQ+ attendees.
• These 54 attendees from diverse Black Pride organizations showcased a broad geographical representation, spanning 28 states and one international representative. With ages ranging from 28 to 69 there was clear inclusivity of the summit, involving individuals from various stages of life and experiences within the Black LGBTQ+ community across geographies and national identities. Strategies to expand outreach and enhance recruitment methods could be explored for future events.
Goal 2: Programming Relevance and Quality
The Summit's program covered crucial topics relevant to the Black and Queer community, addressing challenges, political involvement, health issues, technology, and regional concerns.
• Notably, 84% of attendees explicitly acknowledged the relevance of the topics presented. A minority (14%) suggested potential enhancements, focusing on areas such as funding opportunities, grant writing, and usable examples of sponsor letters and program manuals for implementation by various organizations
• The overwhelmingly positive feedback on session relevance demonstrates the Summit's success in addressing critical issues. The suggestions for additional emphasis on specific topics provide valuable insights for future program enhancements.
Participant Impressions: Impressively, all attendees indicated their attendance resulted in receiving valuable tools or resources during the Summit. This reinforces the event's success in providing tangible takeaways.
• With 100% of attendees reporting positive experiences and expressing willingness to attend future summits, the Summit exceeded its 90% positive impression expectations (Goal 2) in delivering a satisfactory and impactful experience, underlining the high satisfaction levels and the perceived value of the event.
Participant Goals. Attendees were asked to reflect on their 2024 Black Pride Leadership Summit and report specific goals for their upcoming year in three areas as leaders, organizations, and individuals. The following themes were qualitatively analyzed across attendee responses: Leadership goals:
• Team Building and Vision: Build a strong team that understands and supports the organization's vision.
• Resource Utilization and Networking: Effectively use resources and build relationships.
• Leadership and Development: Be open to change, delegate, and plan for succession. Organization goals:
• Grants and Marketing: This includes topics related to securing funding (grants) and promoting the organization (marketing).
• Networking and Partnerships: This involves connecting with other organizations, building partnerships, and exploring networking opportunities.
• Legal and Organizational Structure: This encompasses discussions about trademarking and building a board of directors.
Individual Goals:
• Transparency and Leadership: Effective leadership requires open communication about organizational needs. By being transparent, you can better guide your team and achieve goals.
• Self-Care and Growth: Recognizing your achievements and taking time for self-care are essential for maintaining well-being and effectiveness. Additionally, acknowledging areas for growth and seeking opportunities for bonding can strengthen relationships and improve overall performance.
• Effective Leadership Practices: Effective leadership involves strong communication skills, building connections within your community, and continuously learning and growing. By listening, learning, and leading by example, you can inspire and motivate your team.
Value to the Black LGBTQ+ Community:
• The summit provided a vital platform for Black Pride leaders to network among other leaders, enhance their skills, access essential resources, and engage with national entities crucial to their community's progress.
• The diversity of topics addressed the emphasized leadership development, coupled with the presence of influential speakers and the geographical diversity of attendees, solidified the summit's relevance and value to the Black LGBTQ+ community.
• Attendee feedback indicates a high level of satisfaction and a desire for continued engagement, signifying the summit's significant impact and its potential to further empower Black Pride activists and advocates.
Goal 3: Successful Implementation of the Black Pride Network Forum.
The Center for Black Equity, a thriving network of Black Pride leaders, aimed to foster stronger communication among its members through the Black Pride Leadership Network Forum.
Following the summit, the forum, a dedicated online platform within the Center's membership portal, was enthusiastically embraced by all members, regardless of their attendance at the summit or their recent induction into the network (Goal 3). This unanimous participation is a testament to the forum's effectiveness as a tool for enhancing connections, sharing information, and fostering collaboration within the Black Pride Leadership community. The forum's widespread adoption underscores its vital role in strengthening the network's cohesion and achieving its goals of increased communication and empowerment.
Goal 4: Identification of Regional Connections or Sponsors
The Summit brought together Black Pride leaders from various regions. These leaders were divided into groups based on their geographic locations. A special meeting was held where they could share valuable resources, discuss potential sponsorships, and brainstorm ideas for collaboration within their respective regions. Each leader was expected to contribute at least one resource or sponsor to the discussion, which was a key goal of the meeting (Goal 4)
Since the summit, the regional connections established have continued to be valuable. The leaders have been actively communicating and sharing information through private channels within the Black Pride Membership Portal. This ongoing communication demonstrates the importance of these regional connections and the potential for leveraging shared resources to support the growth and success of each other's organizations.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The 2024 Black Pride Leadership Summit conducted by the Center for Black Equity successfully achieved its primary objectives of providing relevant programming, tools, and fostering a platform for national dialogue within the Black LGBTQ+ community. The summit provided a vital platform for Black Pride leaders to enhance their skills, access essential resources, and engage with key stakeholders and organizations crucial to their community's progress. The diversity of topics addressed, coupled with the presence of influential speakers and the geographical diversity of attendees, solidified the summit's relevance and value to the Black LGBTQ+ community. The event not only addressed critical issues pertinent to the Black LGBTQ+ community but also provided valuable resources, networking opportunities, and a platform for collaboration and empowerment. Attendee feedback indicates a high level of satisfaction and a desire for continued engagement, signifying the summit's significant impact and its potential to further empower Black Pride activists and advocates.
The evaluation highlights the Summit's success in meeting most of its goals while offering valuable insights for potential enhancements in recruitment strategies and program content diversification for future iterations. Based on the evaluation findings, recommendations include:
• Exploring innovative outreach strategies to expand attendee recruitment for future events.
• Considering the inclusion of additional sessions focusing on funding opportunities, grant writing, and trans community solidarity to further enrich program content.
• Continuing collaborations with key stakeholders and organizations for sustained impact and networking opportunities.
This comprehensive evaluation underscores the Center for Black Equity's exceptional efforts in championing the voices and causes of the Black LGBTQ+ community through the Black Pride Leadership Summit. The summit, a cornerstone of the Center's initiatives, has proven to be a catalyst for positive change, fostering collaboration, empowerment, and advocacy.
The Center's partnership with ViiV Healthcare has been instrumental in ensuring the summit's continued success and its ability to deliver tangible outcomes for the Black LGBTQ+ community. Through this collaboration, the Center has been able to expand its reach, enhance its programming, and provide valuable resources to participants.
By convening Black LGBTQ+ leaders from diverse backgrounds, the summit has created a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collective action. Participants have left the summit inspired, equipped, and connected, ready to make a lasting impact in their communities.
The Black Pride Leadership Summit stands as a testament to the Center for Black Equity's unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of the Black LGBTQ+ community. Its success reinforces the importance of such initiatives in fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
Appendix: Attendee Regions
USA Attendees International Attendees
Attendee representation: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, as well as England, UK.
