IOOV 2023 Unity Through Diversity: The Power of Unity LGBTQIA+ BIPOC Health Conference Guide
Unity Through Diversity: The Power of Unity is a biennial health, wellness, and capacity-building national conference for LGBTQIA+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The focus of the 2023 conference is “The Power of Unity,” and its purpose is to lift the voices of LGBTQIA+ BIPOC communities while promoting social justice, healthy sexuality, violence-free living, social activism, and safer spaces. As In Our Own Voices celebrates its 25th year of strengthening and empowering our communities, we look forward to making this Unity Through Diversity the most impactful one yet.
Unity Through Diversity: The Power of Unity is a biennial health, wellness, and capacity-building national conference for LGBTQIA+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The focus of the 2023 conference is “The Power of Unity,” and its purpose is to lift the voices of LGBTQIA+ BIPOC communities while promoting social justice, healthy sexuality, violence-free living, social activism, and safer spaces. As In Our Own Voices celebrates its 25th year of strengthening and empowering our communities, we look forward to making this Unity Through Diversity the most impactful one yet.
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A MESSAGE<br />
FROM OUR<br />
CEO<br />
Tandra LaGrone<br />
Dear Attendees,<br />
Welcome to the <strong>2023</strong> <strong>Unity</strong> <strong>Through</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong>: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Unity</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> for <strong>LGBTQIA+</strong> Black,<br />
Indigenous, and People <strong>of</strong> Color (<strong>BIPOC</strong>) communities, hosted by In Our Own Voices, Inc. (<strong>IOOV</strong>).<br />
<strong>IOOV</strong> is one <strong>of</strong> a few organizations nationwide, and the only organization in our region, that provides<br />
comprehensive services with a focus on the health and wellness <strong>of</strong> <strong>LGBTQIA+</strong> <strong>BIPOC</strong> communities.<br />
In our 25 years <strong>of</strong> operation, <strong>IOOV</strong> has grown from small, grassroots beginnings into a full-fledged<br />
organization serving over 600,000 individuals both locally and nationally. We work to ensure the health<br />
and well-being <strong>of</strong> our communities through advocacy and education, anti-violence programs, community<br />
organizing, social events, and support groups.<br />
In 2008, <strong>IOOV</strong> hosted its first <strong>LGBTQIA+</strong> <strong>BIPOC</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Summit. Over 150 scholars, health practitioners,<br />
administrators, and students gathered for this important event to reflect on the status <strong>of</strong> healthy living,<br />
substance use, spirituality, and political advocacy in our communities. <strong>The</strong> summit featured presentations,<br />
workshops, and panel discussions on the importance <strong>of</strong> meaningful involvement <strong>of</strong> <strong>LGBTQIA+</strong> <strong>BIPOC</strong> and<br />
vulnerable subpopulations.<br />
Today, <strong>Unity</strong> <strong>Through</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong> <strong>Conference</strong>s continue to provide a safe space for <strong>LGBTQIA+</strong> <strong>BIPOC</strong><br />
communities and our allies to examine health and social disparities and to identify future strategies that can<br />
be implemented for our collective liberation.<br />
It is my hope that identified strategies will serve as the basis for future funding, therefore strengthening<br />
our communities’ capacity to develop leadership, combat oppression and marginalization, and effectively<br />
communicate our perspectives within the larger <strong>LGBTQIA+</strong> movement.<br />
Again, welcome, and I look forward to engaging with you during this year’s health conference and creating<br />
positive outcomes.<br />
In <strong>Unity</strong>,<br />
Tandra R. LaGrone<br />
Chief Executive Officer | In Our Own Voices, Inc.<br />
In Our Own Voices, Inc.<br />
Our mission is to work for and ensure the physical, mental, spiritual, political, cultural, and economic<br />
survival and growth <strong>of</strong> Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people <strong>of</strong> color communities.<br />
245 Lark St., Albany, NY 12210<br />
Phone: (518) 432-4188<br />
Fax: (518) 432-4123<br />
info@inourownvoices.org<br />
UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY <strong>2023</strong><br />
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