Howard University News October 6, 2016 Howard University to Host 2nd Annual LGBTA Renaissance Howard University to Host 2nd Annual LGBTA Renaissance Howard University will host the 2nd LGBTA Renaissance Reception during Homecoming this Fall on October 20th, 2016 from 5:30-8:30 pm on campus in the Health Science Library, Seal Room. This groundbreaking event serves to raise awareness and funds for LGBT student scholarships and research for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The event and fundraiser were founded by the Howard University Graduate Student Trustee, Mr. Christopher Cross-the University's 1st openly gay male student Trustee in its 150-year history. This year we hope to double our fundraising goal to $20,000 for LGBT scholarships and research. We are following up with previous sponsors and ongoing talks with future ones. Another goal is to establish LGBTA HU Alumni Clubs across the country. We hope that this will give new opportunities for HU Alum and Friends to partner with us especially in the development of the LGBTA Renaissance Reception (the official Homecoming event), in addition to fundraising, education, increasing awareness, and outreach. Since our 1st event last year, we have raised over $10,000 from Howard University students, alumni, friends and Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University who made a significant contribution including his keynote address he gave during the inaugural reception. We also had representation and support from all the Howard LGBT Organizations: CASCADE, OutLAW, GLAAM (Gays Lesbians and Allies Advancing Medicine), and the School of Divinity's Gay-Straight Alliance as well as GSA (Graduate Student Association) and HUSA (Howard University Student Association). The LGBTA Renaissance Reception is an official Howard University (HU) Homecoming event. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for Bison family and friends (Allies) to support their HU-LGBT brothers and sisters. Contributions will be placed into the Lavender Fund which will promote this culture of inclusion. The Lavender Fund will be used to address the pathology of homophobia that continues to divide our community in the form(s) of scholarship, research, and services. It is time to tear away the masks and address the issues that have been festering to alleviate the isolation, bullying, and depression among members of our LGBT community. Howard University stands with its Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies (LGBTA), and advocates for a University environment that respects, welcomes, and supports LGBT students and professionals enabling them to perform to their fullest potential and contribute to the greater goals of the University. To donate to the Lavender Scholarship Fund please go to Howard.edu/give (select: Lavender Fund under choose designation). To register for the October 20, Renaissance Reception, please visit, http://www.alum.howard.edu/2016Homecoming_LGBTA. LGBTA Renaissance Reception Co-chairs, Christopher Cross and Rogi Banks at HULavenderFund@gmail.com<mailto:HULavenderFund@gmail.com>. Howard University's Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 202-238-2433. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/