Vice President, Angelle Maua, Represents the San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition at the White House.

The San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition made history on February 24, 2023! Our Vice President, Angelle Maua was invited to the White House for a special LGBTQI+ Black History briefing.

Angelle, what are your thoughts going into this briefing?

"I’m nervous and excited as only a few folks were invited by the Center for Black Equity as they are the liaison for this historic event. I will make sure we (the San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition) get on the map."

What will you be hoping to achieve at the Black History briefing?

"I’m hoping to ask questions and engage live"

"Thank you to you all for making this possible. Our work is paying off!"

- Angelle Maua, V.P.

Angelle Maua has provided us a brief summary of their visit. CHECK IT OUT below

White House LGBTQI+ Black History Month Briefing

February 24, 2023

The San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition was invited to the White House with the Center for Black Equity, a social justice non-profit in Washington, D.C., to attend an LGBTQI+ Black history Briefing at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. We were among the few selected Black non-profits and other Black LGBTQ+ agencies from all over the U.S. to attend. We made history on February 24, 2023, as we connected with essential Biden Administration to discuss topics. This included social justice with Amber Greene, Special Assistant to the President for Racial and Economic Justice, Kristin Clarke, Assistant Attorney General, a summary of surveys that were conducted in the transgender communities throughout the U.S., HIV discrimination cases and outcomes, school cases regarding students getting harassed for starting a GSA at their school and how the U.S. Department of Justice challenged an Alabama law against transgender youth, Justice department challenges Alabama law.

I had the honor of meeting and taking a photo with Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, and Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health – HHS, and hearing her speak of equity and equality among the transgender population. We also had the pleasure of meeting:

· Keisha Lance Bottoms, Senior Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement;

· Shalanda Helen Baker, Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity;

· Reginald (Reggie) Greer, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons, U.S. Department of State,

· Faith Rodgers, Senior Advisor U.S. Department of Housing and Human Development,

· Catherine Lhamon, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.

The experience was surreal, and I will never forget it as it validates the work we have been doing for our Black LGBTQI+/SGL communities in San Diego. Thank you to the San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition for their support and the Center for Black Equity for this invitation to represent our community in Washington, D.C.

Other topics covered:

· President Biden signed Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. 

· Transgender Day of Visibility Letter (2022)

· Fact Sheet – Transgender Americans

· White House Priorities.

· SOGI Data Collection

· Environmental Injustice.

o The location of Black communities near power plants = environmental justice and racism around how communities are located.

o Energy insecurity. 52.2% of Black households have energy insecurity.

· Housing Discrimination: The department addresses housing insecurities and issues with the LGBTQI+ and transgender communities.

· As of February 4, 2023, LGBTQI topics will be included in future policy.

Angelle Maua

Vice President, The San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition