In recognition of February as Black History Month, the Office of LGBT Affairs is proud to highlight the experiences of prominent Black LGBTQ+ Philadelphians – both past and present. Join us in this valuable opportunity to celebrate, recognize and remember the many important contributions made by Philly’s Black Queer communities throughout history.

dante austin presenting to a group

1. Dante Austin

Dante Austin is a military veteran, Philadelphia’s Deputy Sheriff, and the Sheriff’s Office LGBT Liaison. As an openly gay officer, he works to support LGBTQ civilians as well as LGBTQ police officers in GOAL, the Gay Officer Action League. He presented about his experiences at the Community College of Philadelphia’s LGBTQ Conference in October, 2017 (pictured here).

 

Kati Jazz Gray-Sadler smiling

2. Kati “Jazz” Gray-Sadler

Kati ‘Jazz’ Gray-Sadler, a St. Louis native, fondly nicknamed ‘Jazz’ is rightfully called a modern day Renaissance Woman! Jazz is the Chief Executive Officer of Gray-Sadler Enterprises, Inc., a business services firm and Producer of Philadelphia based LesBe Real Radio Talk/Media. Today, LesBe Real media outlets cover major events seen by more than 5 million online viewers and radio broadcast heard by more than 60,000 monthly listeners on Philadelphia WKDU 91.7FM and MIXCLOUD Podcast! She has served on numerous Boards and Commissions and was appointed to serve on the Mayor’s Commission for LGBT Affairs and also serves on the Advisory Board for PHLDiversity a division of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 

Tyunique Nelson smiling on a park bench

3. Tyunique Nelson

Tyunique Nelson is a sister, mentor, educator, and self-proclaimed diva. She is passionate about advocating for the needs of LGBTQ youth in Pennsylvania. For their entire life, they have been devoted to providing youth with access to emancipatory education tools and a support system. Tyunique is a huge believer in people power and the ability in one single person’s voice to change the world.

 

reggie shuford speaking at a podium with a crowd behind him

4. Reggie Shuford

Reggie Shuford has served as the executive director of the ACLU Pennsylvania since 2011. Prior to taking on the position, he worked as senior staff counsel in the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program. He is an award-winning lawyer and defender of civil rights. The Philadelphia Tribune named him as one of the city’s Most Influential African Americans in 2016 and 2017!

 

Icon addressing a crowd at the love sculpture at love park

5. Icon Ebony Fierce

Icon Ebony Fierce is a Philadelphia based performance artist that has one mission: to change people’s perception of artistic expression one subculture at a time. Icon has a background in theater, dance, and spoken word performance. Icon also specializes in burlesque, performance art, and drag. They’ve been in events such as Hot Bits XXX, Pusse Parlor, Raspberry Royale, Bob & Barbra’s, Superdope, WeBurlesque, QPOC, CutNPaste, Agitated, Phreak N Queer and countless other events. Their content includes sex, body positivity, political/social issues, gender equality, etc. 

 

michael hinson's headshot

6. Michael Hinson

Michael Hinson founded the COLOURS organization in 1991. COLOURS started as a magazine for the Black LGBTQ community and later became a health and wellness organization! He is also known for creating the LGBT Advisory Committee, helping develop the Mazzoni Center, and working on assessments of LGBT community health needs. Here at the Office of LGBT Affairs, we remember Hinson as the first LGBT Liaison to the Mayor’s Office under Mayor Street! We honor his leadership in the Philly LGBT community.

 

estelle richman speaking

7. Estelle Richman

Estelle Richman is the former Secretary of the PA Department of Public Welfare, where she served from 2003 to 2009. She oversaw agency efforts that helped get more foster children into permanent homes, ensured shorter wait lists for mental health treatment, created better child-support collection programs, and fought for the creation of Pennsylvania’s first Bureau of Autism. Prior to becoming Secretary of the department, Richman held several offices in the City of Philadelphia, including Managing Director, Director of Social Services, and Commissioner of Public Health.

Special thank you to Bob Skiba, Curator of Collections at the WWCC LGBT Archive, for his assistance with this month-long series celebrating our community’s history!

Learn more about the many contributions African Americans have made throughout history at one of the City’s upcoming Black History Month events.