Black History Month SPOTLIGHT: INPOC BOARD
While Black History Month is celebrating the trailblazers in history, it is also important to showcase the advocates for TODAY. This SPOTLIGHT is for Indiana Pride of Color. They officially announced their board in 2024 and below you will find answers from Belinda Drake, Jahonń Mosley and Jasmine Laseter. All representing a key component from the INPOC Board.
INDIANA PRIDE OF COLOR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE ADVOCACY, PROGRAMMING, AND SERVICE FOR THE BIPOC LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY WHILE ALSO FORMING PARTNERSHIPS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE INDIANA LGBTQ+ BIPOC COMMUNITIES.
https://www.inpoc.org/
Belinda Drake (she/her), President
Q:What initiatives or projects have you led within Indy Pride of Color to uplift and support the Black LGBTQ+ community?
A: Thrilled to announce Indy’s All-Star Sneaker Ball, hosted by our dedicated INPOC Team! This exciting event goes beyond the kicks—we’ll offer convenient HIV & STI testing and collect shoe donations for families in need at Wheeler Mission. Join us for a night of celebration, community, and giving back!
Q: Can you share how your career journey aligns with your commitment to advocacy and representation for LGBTQ+ people of color?
A: Leveraging my platform as the founder of #StudsWhoLead, I empower Black masculine-presenting lesbians across the nation by fostering a supportive community. Previously, as Director at IYG, I championed inclusivity and diversity through impactful programs that uplifted LGBTQ+ youth and young adults of color.
Q: Who are some historical figures or contemporary role models that inspire your work within the LGBTQ+ community and the Black community?
A: Angela Davis.
Lori Lightfoot.
Jes Louise. (Indy)
Marsha P. Johnson
President Obama.
Q: How do you hope to inspire future generations of Black LGBTQ+ individuals through your involvement with INPOC?
A: As an openly Black LGBTQ+ Leader, I strive to inspire the next generation by actively building a world where they can thrive authentically. Through my work and volunteer efforts, I hope to empower them to break down the barriers of discrimination and lack of representation that my generation faced. By living my truth and advocating for change, I believe I can help pave the way for a brighter future for all Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
Q: How do you envision the future of inclusion and representation for Black LGBTQ+ individuals within the broader LGBTQ+ movement?
A: I envision a future where Black LGBTQ+ individuals not only make waves, but carve entire oceans in every space and profession. A future where Blackness and queerness are not seen as separate entities, but rather, a powerful intersection celebrated for its unique vibrancy and resilience. A future where every intersectional identity is embraced, not erased, creating a mosaic of acceptance and opportunity for all.
Jahonń Mosley (he/him), Vice President
Q. What initiatives or projects have you led within Indy Pride of Color to uplift and support the Black LGBTQ+ community?
A. The most recent and boggiest project that I have been able to Lead our 2024 Sneaker Ball. The vision for the ball was to offer as many healthcare services as possible to the community of color. These services aren’t as tangible in communities of color nor are they promoted to communities of color. We wanted to provide a safe and educational place for everyone to obtain whatever health resources they need.
Q. Can you share how your career journey aligns with your commitment to advocacy and representation for LGBTQ+ people of color?
A. I am fortunate to have worked in the HR Field for over 8 years. The tools and knowledge that I have obtained during my tenure has never been just for me. I wanted to gain as much education in my field to help small black businesses, to educate our community on laws and regulations, to advocate and ensure we are taking advantage of resources regarding taxes and insurance, and also to help the younger community not fall victim to debt/generational hardships. With this knowledge, I have been able to partner with so many organizations to give perspective and tools for a better financial future.
Q: How do you hope to inspire future generations of Black LGBTQ+ individuals through your involvement with INPOC?
A. I have so many black, queer figures that I admire. Recently, I spoke on Bayard Rustin and how his brilliance and strategic forward-thinking played a pivotal role in civil rights. His innovative thinking is what I admire and relate to the most. Thinking of not only the current generation, but generations to come. Ensuring their fight isn’t as hard and their story doesn’t have to start with such trail and tribulation by not being selfish in thinking and experiences.
Q: How do you envision the future of inclusion and representation for Black LGBTQ+ individuals within the broader LGBTQ+ movement?
A: Inclusion and Representation starts with conversation and being present. Not being afraid to be in rooms where you’re the minority. Speaking boldly about the needs of people of color. Taking action where you see lack. There is so much work that needs to be done, and it starts with you! Once we understated that each one of us has a role to play, the possibilities become endless and the fight gets a little easier.
Jasmine Laseter (she/her), Secretary
Q: What initiatives or projects have you led within Indy Pride of Color to uplift and support the Black LGBTQ+ community?
From providing indy families with new/slightly used shoes in order to promote an increase in quality of lives to bringing resources to hoosiers for STI testing, INPOC has had it’s sights set on giving back to the community including but not limited to food security, and emotional wellness. Additionally, there are some works and collaborations focusing on educating individuals on the aging LGBTQ+ community in the near future.
Q: Can you share how your career journey aligns with your commitment to advocacy and representation for LGBTQ+ people of color?
A: I am currently a labor and delivery nurse and aspire to be a Nurse Practitioner with an emphasis on Family Medicine and Women’s Health. The maternal mortality rate in the United States is at an all time high, with an increased mortality among women of color nearly being 3 times higher than their counterparts. My goal is to be an advocate to people of color as well as educate physicians and other caregivers on gender identity including but not limited to family dynamics and gendered language within the healthcare system. Additionally, I want to highlight the comorbidities that women of color face that can potentially make their pregnancies and/or deliveries that much more dangerous but also to provide a familiar face that promotes safety and positive patient outcomes.
Q: Who are some historical figures or contemporary role models that inspire your work within the LGBTQ+ community and the Black community?
A: Brene Brown has made waves in understanding vulnerability and shame resilience within the black community, which I feel is extraordinarily important going forward since the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. She shined light on the need to focus on Black humanity as a whole and what effects it has on the emotional wellbeing of black individuals. Following the grueling year of 2020, I read “You Are Your Best Thing” by Brene Brown and Tarana Burke; and uplifting to see that someone “get’s it”, that the black community does not and should not be the sole individuals to take on the emotional labor to educate our counterparts on oppression and it starts with vulnerability.
Jane Elliott has always been a force to be reckoned with from highlighting the social injustices that the black community faces but she actively advocates for anti-racism while focusing on feminism and LGBTQ+ rights. In undergrad I watched a taping of the “blue eyes-brown eyes” classroom activity (first demonstrated on the day of Martin Luther-King jr’s assassination) and it has always stuck with me in helping my peers and counterparts in understanding the difference between being “non-racist” and “actively anti-racist”.
Q: How do you hope to inspire future generations of Black LGBTQ+ individuals through your involvement with INPOC?
A: I hope future generations are just as outspoken about Black LGBTQ+ rights as well as social injustice for all of the BIPOC community by providing outlets, resources, and safe spaces to be authentically whole. I didn’t quite understand the importance of intersectionality and the emotional effects of marginalization until I came out in 2021 and it hit hard. It’s not just about being authentic in your gender and sexual orientation but about no longer making yourself small to allow others to feel comfortable in any space.
Q: How do you envision the future of inclusion and representation for Black LGBTQ+ individuals within the broader LGBTQ+ movement?
A: I envision a future where intersectionality is the forefront of inclusion for Black LGBTQ+ individuals; where we are celebrating our authentic selves in our culture, alongside our professions, and our identities. Specifically, a future where an understanding that there is no pride within the LGBTQ+ community without the significant successes, sacrifices, and celebration of Black community.