Hooks Institute for Social Change to Host Online Event: Civil Rights Challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ Black Community

Sept. 22, 2020 — Join the Hooks Institute for Social Change for an online community event, “A Complete Embrace: The LGBTQIA+ Black Community and the Black Lives Matter Movement.” This online discussion will address the synergy between the Black Lives Matter platform and the LGBTQIA+ movement and the civil rights challenges faced by the Memphis LGBTQIA+ community.

The event will feature two Black Memphis LGBTQIA+ activists, Gwendolyn and Davin Clemons, as they address this often-marginalized sector of the Black community and policies that affect the life experiences of this population. Additionally, the event will highlight the LGBTQ community’s active involvement in social justice issues such as gender identity, student experiences, pay equity and workplace discrimination.

The free event will be live-streamed on the Hooks Institute’s Facebook (facebook.com/benhooksinstitute) on Oct. 1 at 12:30 p.m.

About Gwendolyn D. Clemons, M.B.A., M.S.M.
Gwendolyn Clemons is executive director of Relationship Unleashed, editor-in-chief of TUV Media firm and a 24-year veteran with the Shelby County Government. Clemons is founder of Unleash Your Vision, a Behavioral Modification Coaching Business for Lesbian Couples. Clemons is a sought-after public speaker and travels extensively offering expert advice to improve the lives of the Black LGBTQ Community. Clemons is the recipient of numerous national and local awards, most notably the 2019 Light of Hope Award by the Shelby County Health Department for Business of the Year, 2019 Tennessee Champion of Pride by The Advocate Magazine and 2019 Memphis LGBT Woman of the Year.

About Davin D. Clemons, DMin.
Dr. Davin Clemons is a public servant, civil rights activist, religious trailblazer, entrepreneur, award-winning community leader and future politician. Clemons is chief operating officer of The Cathedral Foundation, assistant executive director of Relationship Unleashed, co-founder of Relationship Unleashed, co-owner of TUV Media Firm and 18-year veteran of the Memphis Police Department. Clemons holds both master’s and doctoral degrees in Leadership in Ministry from Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis. Clemons is scheduled to be inducted into 35th Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers & Laity at Morehouse College in 2020.

About the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change
The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute implements its mission of teaching, studying and promoting civil rights and social change through research, education and direct intervention programs. Institute programs include community outreach; funding faculty research initiatives on community issues; implementing community service projects; hosting conferences, symposiums and lectures; and promoting local and national scholarship on civil and human rights. The Hooks Institute is an interdisciplinary center at the University of Memphis. Contributed revenue for the Hooks Institute, including funding from individuals, corporations and foundations, is administered through the University of Memphis Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Visit memphis.edu/benhooks for more information.