Kick - The Agency for LGBT African-Americans is Awarded $180,000 to Expand Programming in Detroit
Detroit, MI – KICK - The Agency for LGBT African-Americans has been awarded a $180,000 two-year grant from the Arcus Foundation to hire staff, obtain a new business site and provide operational funding. Thanks to the grant, the board of directors of KICK was able to hire long-time volunteer Curtis Lipscomb as its first paid full-time Executive Director in January 2011. KICK has also established its new office, christened The Center In Detroit, in the Tech Town business district just north of the Wayne State University campus. "The Board of Directors of KICK is thrilled to be afforded this opportunity", says Tiffany McLean, president. "We look forward to better serving the LGBT African American community. The Arcus grant offers the opportunity to interact with more members of the community and to further establish us as a premier agency serving LGBT African Americans." KICK anticipates Arcus' support to diminish over time and be replaced with new philanthropic partners and an expanded individual and corporate donor base.
KICK's mission is to increase awareness of and support to Detroit's dynamic lesbian, gay, bi and transgender culture through education and advocacy with integrity and pride. The Arcus Foundation is a leading global foundation advancing pressing social justice and conservation issues. Specifically, Arcus works to advance LGBT equality, as well as to conserve and protect the great apes.
The Center In Detroit will become an exciting and highly visible symbol for the LGBT community of the City of Detroit, serving diverse social, recreational, cultural, and social service needs of adults in a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment. It will be an office and meeting space for community organizations, cultural programming and development, and a small recreational space. In partnership with local mental and physical clinicians, social service providers, and allies, KICK will reach its goal to strengthen Detroit's African American LGBT community through identification and engagement, strengthen the overall health and well-being of the African American LGBT community, and provide leadership to the African American LGBT community by modeling civic engagement and community-building.
Through the support of Arcus Foundation and contributions from our individual donors, KICK has developed and hosted a series of advocacy activities through our Learn & Live, Receive & Restore and Help & Heal programs. "Key to our success is the leadership of Curtis Lipscomb, who last October participated in a panel discussion with the NAACP, held during Freedom Week and the annual Freedom Fund Dinner, discussing LGBT concerns and our connectivity to the broader civil rights agenda," says Antonio Johnson, treasurer of KICK. "He also publishes quarterly briefs addressing national and global issues that impact people of color within the LGBT community, and regularly participates in national LGBT panels and workshops. In addition, the board of directors, committees and volunteers are active in the community and bring a wealth of knowledge and resources to our efforts. Through our team's engagement, we have successfully been able to operate and deliver services strategically." "This grant will help to further answer the question 'what does KICK do?'" states Lewis Smith, General Counsel of KICK. "By strengthening and expanding core operations under the guardianship of seasoned activist Curtis Lipscomb, KICK can continue to meet and exceed its objectives and mission."
The grant was first announced during the eighth Holiday In December, KICK'S annual gala. Holiday In December is the nation's largest sit-down dinner for LGBT African Americans. (Click here for photos). The Center In Detroit is located at the Graphic Arts Loft; 41 Burroughs St. in Tech Town and the move-in date is March 1. Hours of operation and community activities will be made available shortly. For more information contact KICK - The Agency for LGBT African-Americans at The Center In Detroit, 313-285-9733.
