FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: R. Darlene Hudson, Co-Chairperson
Rhu4969824@aol.com 404-441-4827
Xtreme Entertainment, Inc. (XEI) Presents
The 5th Annual State of Black Gay America
(SBGA) Summit
Saturday, September 3, 2011
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Melia Atlanta Hotel
590 W. Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30308
2011 Keynote Speaker: Earl Fowlkes, President/CEO
The International Federation of Black Gay Prides (IFOBGP)
August 17, 2011: Atlanta. GA. On Saturday, September 3, 2011, Xtreme Entertainment, Inc. will host its 5th Annual State of Black Gay America (SBGA) Summit at The Melia Atlanta Hotel, located at 590 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30308, from 11:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The 2011 SBGA Theme, “Revitalizing Our Commitment to Leadership, Diversity, and Community” will focus on a wide range of topics including leadership development and embracing the unique diversity within our community and other communities. In addition, we will host a discussion between Black Gay Pride Organizers and Nightlife Promoters from across the country. We will also introduce an SBGA Youth Summit, which will be entirely organized by Black LGBT youth. The SBGA recognizes that the youth are our future and that we need to help them navigate the unique challenges their generation faces including, but not limited to higher unemployment as compared to previous generations; high rates of HIV infection and other STDS; and an increased rate in teen suicides. As in previous years, the SBGA Summit continues to focus on solution-based approaches to challenges facing African American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people.
We are pleased to announce that Earl Fowlkes, President/Chief Executive Officer of the International Federation of Black Gay Prides will serve as the 2011 keynote speaker. Mr. Fowlkes is well known for his vision, political savvy, building collaborative advocacy coalitions and bringing talented people together in an effort to form cohesive leadership within organizations.
According to Gregory Allen, MBA, President/CEO, Xtreme Entertainment, Inc. and the SBGA Chairman, “It is our hope that this year’s SBGA Summit will serve as a platform to continue the much needed dialogue around the subject of building coalition and collaboration within the African-American LGBT Community.”
The topics discussed by the panel will include, but not be limited to advances being made in HIV/AIDS vaccines, current economic and political realities, as well as homophobia in the entertainment industry. The panelist includes Activists, Artists, Spiritual Leaders, Business Owners, Community Organizers and Elected Officials.
The SBGA Summit is designed to encourage, enlighten and empower our community to become and/or stay actively involved in the political and legislative process. Also important to the Summit, is the cultural and spiritual affirmation of African American LGBT people.
Confirmed 2011 SBGA Panelist:
Mandy Carter, Founding member of Southerns on New Ground (SONG) and National Black Justice Coalition,
Pat Hussian, Founding member of SONG
Dr. Earl Joyner, Business and MD, Club 91
Charles Stephens, AID Atlanta
The Honorable Simone Bell, Georgia State Representative
Marcus Bolton, Emory Hope Clinic
Benjamin Harvey, Owner and Political Blogger, Harvey’s Global Politics (HGP)
Christopher Dowdy, Youth Pride
Je-Shawna Wholley, Afrekete, Spelman College
Phillip Boone, Owner/Founder, Traxx Atlanta
Dwight Powell, Owner, Sizzle Miami, Inc .
Demetris D Taylor -AKA Big Meach, Author
Maurice Jamal, Actor, TV Producer & Film Maker “Dirty Laundry” & “Ski Trip”
Dr. Shamni- Jeffrey Shikwambi, Macon State College
Gwen Roger, Terik Jackson, and Devin Barrington – Ward, Change Altanta
Gregory Allen, MBA, President/CEO, Xtreme Entertainment, Inc./SBGA Summit Chairman
Mary Anne Adams, Deputy Director, Center of Excellence in Health Disparities Research & CEO of ZAMI NOBLA
Darian Aaron, Blogger – Darian Living Out loud & Author
Sean Lamont, Artist
Holiday Simmons, Lambda Legal
Paulina Hernandez , SONG
Moderators: Cara Page, Co-Founder and Coordinator of Kindred Southern Healing Justice Collective and Pastor Troy Sanders, Preach2me.com & National Minister of Evangelism of The Fellowship, Inc.
The luncheon tickets are $35 each, followed by panel discussions, which are free to the general public. Seating is limited. Please register online today @ www.sbgasummit.org