Events
Our Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus meets monthly to design community programming that centers Black LGBTQ+ experiences. We offer a diverse range of free events such as beach parties, storytelling nights, and community organizing meetings.
Black Wellness Tribe
Join us for weekly free transformative wellness classes hosted by Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland. These unique classes offer a holistic approach to well-being, combining strength training, endurance training, and functional/mobility exercises.
BQEI Soul Food Brunch
Join us for the 2nd annual BQEI Soul Food Brunch, a gathering featuring live house music, free soul food, and two lively panel discussions.
Black LGBTQ+ Prom
This enchanting evening is not just any prom—it's a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and unity within the Black LGBTQ+ community. We are reclaiming the prom experience for Black LGBTQ+ people! Experience a space where everyone is welcomed, cherished, and free to express themselves authentically.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Unite with Black LGBTQ+ community members and leaders to make a meaningful impact.
June CARE Connect
Join us for CARE Connect: a monthly gathering where we come together for community bonding and social justice training. Strengthen connections, share experiences, and empower each other to create positive change.
Registration opens in early May.
Pride Skate Party
The Chicago Black LGBTQ+ Pride event of the summer is back! Celebrate Pride Month at Lighthouse Foundation's highly anticipated 3rd Annual Pride Skate Party.
BlaQueer Beach Party
Join us for a Pride-themed beach party on the Southside of Chicago.
Registration opens in early May.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Unite with Black LGBTQ+ community members and leaders to make a meaningful impact.
5-Year Anniversary Fundraiser
Our 5-Year Anniversary Fundraiser will feature storytelling, drag, and performances by Voices of Light.
Registration opens late May.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Unite with Black LGBTQ+ community members and leaders to make a meaningful impact.
Self-Care Recharge
Self-Care Recharge is designed to create physical, mental, and spiritual renewal in BIPOC LGBTQ+ Chicagoans. We do this by bringing in Black LGBTQ+ vendors to provide culturally-responsive renewal services and create a safe haven for BIPOC Queer Chicagoans.
Registration opens in early July.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Unite with Black LGBTQ+ community members and leaders to make a meaningful impact.
Self-Care Recharge
Self-Care Recharge is designed to create physical, mental, and spiritual renewal in BIPOC LGBTQ+ Chicagoans. We do this by bringing in Black LGBTQ+ vendors to provide culturally-responsive renewal services and create a safe haven for BIPOC Queer Chicagoans.
Registration opens in early August.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Unite with Black LGBTQ+ community members and leaders to make a meaningful impact.
Coming Out Sunday Celebration
A shared sermon held across CARE churches about intersectionality, employment as a social determinant of health/workplace, structural justice, & the BQEI. After each sermon, a discussion will be held about the aforementioned topics.
Self-Care Recharge
Self-Care Recharge is designed to create physical, mental, and spiritual renewal in BIPOC LGBTQ+ Chicagoans. We do this by bringing in Black LGBTQ+ vendors to provide culturally-responsive renewal services and create a safe haven for BIPOC Queer Chicagoans.
Registration opens in early September.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Unite with Black LGBTQ+ community members and leaders to make a meaningful impact.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Unite with Black LGBTQ+ community members and leaders to make a meaningful impact.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
This month's topic is "AAVE ≠ Gen Z slang," where we'll unpack the misconception that popular terms coined by Black people (like "tea," "slay," "shade," "eat," and "gag") are simply just Gen Z or Twitter slang.
Self-Care Recharge
Experience mindful movement workshops, soothing sound baths, rejuvenating massage therapy, acupuncture sessions, and cupping treatments.
April CARE Connect
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion as we unravel the layers of identity, power, and privilege.
Black Queer Equity Index Grades Reveal: A Happy Hour
Join us for an evening of celebration and revelation as we unveil the inaugural grades of the first cohort of organizations assessed by the Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI).
Workforce Development Conference
Lighthouse Foundation’s second annual Workforce Development Conference (WDC) prepares Black LGBTQ+ people to create their work futures by equipping them with the tools necessary to navigate the current workforce. The WDC will feature sessions for Black LGBTQ+ people by Black LGBTQ+ people and will cover topics such as Black LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship, resume writing, LinkedIn strategies, personal branding, and navigating the workplace as Black LGBTQ+ people. Sessions will be geared toward attendees of all experience levels.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Celebrate Women's History Month with us at our upcoming Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus (BQC) meeting. This month, we're delving into the complexities of womanhood beyond the binary, creating a space for vibrant conversations about diverse gender identities.
March CARE Connect
Join us for CARE Connect: a monthly gathering where we come together for community bonding and social justice training. Strengthen connections, share experiences, and empower each other to create positive change.
Registration opens in early February.
Monthly Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Unite with Black LGBTQ+ community members and leaders to make a meaningful impact.
Legislative Advocacy Springfield Trip
Join us for a day of impact and advocacy as we take a bus to Springfield, IL, to champion equitable funding for Black-led orgs.
February CARE Connect
Explore ways to advocate for equitable funding through advocacy strategies and preparing for a legislative advocacy trip to Springfield, IL.
Meet CARE 2024 Retreat
Embark on a journey of social justice for Black LGBTQ+ people in 2024. Both allies and Black LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to attend!
2023 (Un)Gala: Concrete Rose
The (Un)Gala brings together program participants, community leaders, and accomplices to celebrate our collective accomplishments and kick off the new year.
World AIDS Day Commemoration
Join Lighthouse Foundation for our 3rd Annual World AIDS Day Commemoration. The event entails dinner, an open bar, and a panel discussion with Journey Towards Zero Documentary participants and activists to highlight how they are thriving, serving their community, and helping Illinois get to zero. Come commemorate with us.
Monthly Open Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Be in community with other Black LGBTQ+ individuals for conversation and to more deeply connect with the work of Lighthouse Foundation.
Monthly CARE Meeting
Join Lighthouse Foundation's CARE team for their monthly meeting. This meeting goes from 11 am-12 pm every second Saturday.
Black Queer Equity Index Happy Hour
What does Black LGBTQ+ equity look like at Chicago nonprofits? Lighthouse Foundation is revealing NEW 12 equity indicators and next steps for organizations.
Monthly Open Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Be in community with other Black LGBTQ+ individuals for conversation and to more deeply connect with the work of Lighthouse Foundation.
Coming Out Sunday Celebration
Join some CARE-member churches across Chicagoland as they unite to host affirming church services in honor of National Coming Out Day. Together, clergy from these churches will provide sermons highlighting how essential it is for people of faith to support the Black Queer Equity Index. Intersectional justice is at the heart of Jesus’ life, teachings, and ministry! Come celebrate!
Monthly Open Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Be in community with other Black LGBTQ+ individuals for conversation and to more deeply connect with the work of Lighthouse Foundation.
Self-Care Recharge: Body-Focused
Enjoy body-nurturing activities like acupuncture, massage services, facials, yoga, and more, all to spur renewal.
Monthly CARE Meeting
Join Lighthouse Foundation's CARE team for their monthly meeting. This meeting goes from 11 am-12 pm every second Saturday.
Monthly Open Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Be in community with other Black LGBTQ+ individuals for conversation and to more deeply connect with the work of Lighthouse Foundation.
Monthly CARE Meeting
Join Lighthouse Foundation's CARE team for their monthly meeting. This meeting goes from 11 am-12 pm every second Saturday.
Monthly Open Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Be in community with other Black LGBTQ+ individuals for conversation and to more deeply connect with the work of Lighthouse Foundation.
Self-Care Recharge: Sexplosion
A sex-positive and body-focused retreat focused on demystifying sex.
4-Year anniversary Fundraiser
Join Lighthouse Foundation for our 4th Anniversary Fundraiser as we celebrate our work over the past four years and look towards our future. Experience live music, drag performances, and storytelling from our accomplices in the work.
Monthly Open Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Be in community with other Black LGBTQ+ individuals for conversation and to more deeply connect with the work of Lighthouse Foundation.
Pride Skate Party
Grab your skates and get ready to celebrate PRIDE! Back by popular demand; Lighthouse Foundation's annual Pride Skate Party centers Black LGBTQ+ folks and is open to all. Enjoy a night of roller skating, bowling, and refreshments -- all FREE! Don't miss out on Chicago's most exciting Black LGBTQ+ pride event of the summer.
Monthly CARE Meeting
Join Lighthouse Foundation's CARE team for their monthly meeting. This meeting goes from 11 am-12 pm every second Saturday.
Monthly Open Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus Meeting
Be in community with other Black LGBTQ+ individuals for conversation and to more deeply connect with the work of Lighthouse Foundation.
Have new ideas for events?
Learn more about the Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus and how you can join.