The Roanoke Branch NAACP invites all to come to the 17th Annual Citizen of the Year Awards Program, a Freedom Fund Raiser, with the theme, “Seeking Justice and Equality for All.” The event will be held at the Tanglewood Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center, on May 22 with hors d’oeuvres and the Red Carpet Paparazzi from the Roanoke Times at 6:00 p.m., and program at 7:00 p.m.
The distinguished speaker for this occasion is Mrs. Sharon J. Letterman-Hicks, executive director/CEO of the National Black Coalition (NBJC).
Mrs. Lettman-Hicks thrives on challenges and seeks to develop and foster leadership in others. In January 2014, President Barack Obama named her to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African-Americans. In October 2009, she became executive director/CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.
Founded in 2003, NBJC has provided leadership at the intersection of national civil rights groups and LGBT organizations, advocating for the unique challenges and needs of the African-American LGBT community that are often relegated to the sidelines. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender identity or sexual orientation understood, Sharon comes to NBJC after eight years at the People For the American Way (PFAW) Foundation, where her responsibilities included leading the “Homophobia in the Black Church” program through their African-American Religious Affairs division. Sharon is renowned for her political acumen and an ability to bring together unlikely allies as stakeholders in joint collaborations that strengthen the progressive movement and give power to new ideas and policies.
Her efforts to bridge divides across race, religion and sexual orientation were featured in the Gill Foundation’s 2007 annual report, which identified her as a key ally for the LGBT equality movement. She has been a powerful spokesperson for religious liberty and the separation of church and state. Her leadership in this arena has gained the confidence of individual and foundation investors. The Rockwood Leadership Institute selected Sharon as one of 24 progressive executive management leaders for the 2008-09 Leading from the Inside Out Fellowship Program, designed to strengthen senior leadership in the non-profit sector. She has appeared on broadcast and in print media, including CNN, MSNBC, the Washington Post, Black Enterprise magazine, the “Tom Joyner Morning Show” and The Root.com. Sharon currently serves as a member of numerous Boards and advisory councils to include Bian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN); and the Advisory Council of Creative Coalition’s Be A STAR.
She is the proud wife of a retired Iraqi War veteran of the US Air Force and they currently reside in Maryland.
