In the early days of In Our Own Voices, the organization consisted of just two rented offices, one for gathering and the other for work. Its founder, Tandra LaGrone, was the only staff member and received no salary. However, the organization had a vision to support queer communities of color in the region. Now, 25 years later, LaGrone serves as the CEO of a thriving non-profit that owns its own building and has plans for another community center. Currently, LaGrone oversees a team of 19 full-time staff members. The organization is responsible for creating the Say It Loud! Black and Latin@ Pride festival, which has been renamed Say It Loud! BIPOC Pride and will take place in Washington Park this year.
LaGrone has spent 38 years in social services, initially starting with at-risk youth through group homes, facilities, and the Office of Children and Family Services. Despite her extensive experience, LaGrone felt that she could not be her authentic self as a member of the queer community and sought out work that could connect her with others who shared her experiences. She eventually worked for the AIDS Council, the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Girls, Inc. before the opportunity to lead In Our Own Voices presented itself.
Since its inception, In Our Own Voices has provided health and wellness clinics, advocacy, emergency assistance, diversity and inclusion training, support groups, and community events. Mental health services and housing assistance are in high demand, with plans for a secondary location in the works to address these needs.
Despite In Our Own Voices’ commitment to supporting people of color in the LGBTQ+ community, the group encountered resistance within the larger LGBTQ+ community itself to its creation of a separate Black and Latin@ Pride event. The group decided to perform a two-year community survey and vote on a new name, which resulted in the rebranding of this year’s event to Say It Loud! BIPOC Pride.
For LaGrone, BIPOC Pride is an important tool for combating racism both inside and outside of the LGBTQ+ community. The event is not meant to exclude anyone, but rather to provide a safe space for communities of color to thrive. This commitment to inclusivity has made In Our Own Voices a vital resource for countless individuals in the community.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
