IOOV Unity Through Diversity LGBTQ+ BIPOC National Health Conference
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 up 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 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 up 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 yet.
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A MESSAGE<br />
FROM OUR<br />
CEO<br />
Tandra LaGrone<br />
Dear Attendees,<br />
Welcome to the 2023 <strong>Unity</strong> <strong>Through</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong>: The Power of <strong>Unity</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> for LGBTQIA+ Black,<br />
Indigenous, and People of Color (<strong>BIPOC</strong>) communities, hosted by In Our Own Voices, Inc. (<strong>IOOV</strong>).<br />
<strong>IOOV</strong> is one of a few organizations nationwide, and the only organization in our region, that provides<br />
comprehensive services with a focus on the health and wellness of LGBTQIA+ <strong>BIPOC</strong> communities.<br />
In our 25 years of 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 of 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 LGBTQIA+ <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 of healthy living,<br />
substance use, spirituality, and political advocacy in our communities. The summit featured presentations,<br />
workshops, and panel discussions on the importance of meaningful involvement of LGBTQIA+ <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 LGBTQIA+ <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 LGBTQIA+ 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 of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people of 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 2023<br />
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