Local
Center for Black Equity gets new board chair
Robinson assumes key role in Black Pride planning
Letoi Robinson is CBE’s new board chair. (Photo courtesy Robinson)
Letoi Robinson was voted in as the new board chair for the Center for Black Equity (CBE)-Baltimore. Robinson currently serves as the director of development for CBE-Baltimore and will succeed Marines Terreforte.
The official announcement was made on Feb. 22 after consideration by the board of directors and its executive director, Carlton Smith.
“I am thankful to the board of directors for their selection of Ms. Letoi Robinson as the new chairwoman of the Center for Black Equity –Baltimore,” said Smith in a statement. “We are moving forward as an ‘inclusive’ Black LGBTQ community organization.”
The statement continued, “With Letoi becoming the newest chairwoman of CBE-Baltimore, we are excited to continue our mission to seek to improve the well-being and quality of life for Black LGBT individuals and their allies by setting a standard of excellence in the Black LGBT community through health and wellness, spiritual and economic empowerment, social justice, and coalition building.”
CBE-Baltimore will establish planning committees for such signature projects as Sankofa, Baltimore Black Pride, The Baltimore LGBT Women’s Leadership & Development Conference. The organization is seeking qualified and dedicated candidates to serve on the CBE-Baltimore board as members.
For more information on CBE-Baltimore, call 443-218-2478 or email [email protected].
District of Columbia
Wanda Alston Foundation launches culinary program for LGBTQ youth
Slay & Sauté campaign seeks to raise funds for cooking utensils
The Wanda Alston Foundation, the D.C. nonprofit organization that has provided housing and support services for homeless LGBTQ youth since its founding in 2008, announced it has launched a campaign to raise $15,000 for a new culinary program to “equip our LGBTQ+ youth with cooking skills, kitchen gadgets, and a taste for joy,” according to its executive director, Cesar Toledo.
In a May 14 statement, Toledo said the Alston Foundation had been selected to receive food and shelter funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “but due to the federal freeze, it’s unlikely those critical resources will reach us.”
He said the new program being launched is in partnership with the DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K organization, an LGBTQ runners group. The funds will be used to provide 20 Alston House residents “with air fryers, rice cookers, smoothie blenders, healthy food, and condiments,” Toledo said.
He said the campaign, which has been named Slay & Sauté, is offering donors a chance to win WorldPride concert tickets if they submit their donation before June 1. His announcement says among the concerts for which tickets could be won are Grace Jones and Janelle Monae, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Werq the World, MIXTAPE Pride, and Betty Who.
“Thanks to supporters across the District, we’re able to continue providing not just shelter but comfort and joy to LGBTQ+ youth!” Toledo said in his statement.
The Opening Reception for the 34th annual D.C. Black Pride was held at the Capital Hilton on Friday, May 23. Presenters, speakers and entertainers included Ts Madison, Monroe Alise, Billy the Goat, Kerri Colby, Apple Brown Betty, Heather Mahogani, Lyrical Mar, Lolita Leopard, Ink, and Bang Garçon. Anthony Oakes was the host.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The 2025 Silver Pride Resource Fair and Tea Dance was held at the Eaton Hotel on Wednesday, May 21.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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