#ignite 2012

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We could not have convened 85 LGBTQ youth of color without your rupport. We are so thankful for your time, your effort, and your presence. Thank you!

Check back soon for photos and videos from IGNITE 2012 and to stay involved in our work. We look forward to seeing you soon!

With just over a week left before IGNITE 2012, we are thrilled to announce the speakers for our opening plenary on Saturday, September 15th.

Leading us in a discussion spanning multiple topics from queer and trans youth of color resiliency to access to resources on a number of levels will be Jazz Franklin, Salem Acuña, Loan Tran, and Walter Bennett!

Register today to ensure your seat for this amazing discussion held by some fierce youth organizers working on issues of queer media creation, immigrant rights, HIV/STI prevention and awareness, wellness access and so much more.

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Walter Bennett

Walter hails from Grenada, Mississippi where he gained his community organizing skills. He is an alumnus of Activist with a Purpose, a group of community organizers. During his time as the Executive Director’s “right hand man”, Walter decided to come out, not knowing what risks he was taking. His coming out seemed to be very upsetting to family, friends, and peers resulting in Walter finishing high school and leaving for college never to return. He did not let the negative impact slow him down.

Walter now lives in Jackson, Mississippi where he is classified as an intelligent black gay male. Walter earned his degree in Mortuary Science and is currently pursuing a career in Health Management, allowing him to work with several hospitals and funeral homes in the Jackson area. In the summer, you can find Walter working with the ACLU of Mississippi, working with LGBTQ individuals to make sure they’re treated fairly and equally. Walter attended Highlander’s Seed of Fire Camp in ’08 and ’09, where he gained the majority of his identity and the ability to be himself today. Walter’s favorite quote is “don’t let the fools of today control your tomorrow”.

Salem Acuña

Salem Acuña is a queer, feminist Latino organizer with Southerners On New Ground in Richmond, VA. Born in Santiago, Chile, he immigrated to the United States with his mom and younger brother at the age of seven. Raised in Arlington, VA – across the river from Wash, D.C. – by working-class, immigrant parents, he became politicized by both the daily struggles of immigrant life in the U.S., and by the ongoing political disarray in Washington. After dallying around with DC politics and culture, he relocated to Richmond, where he began organizing with various local groups including, The Flying Brick Library, Wayside Center for Popular Education, RePHRAME and the Virginia People’s Assembly.  Since working and loving with SONG, he has developed an ongoing crush for LGBTQ POC organizing/organizers in the South and feels closely connected to the legacy and resiliency of the region.

Jazz Franklin

Jazz Franklin was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. She is currently living and working as a videographer and editor at The Center for Public Television in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Loan Tran

Loan Tran is a queer immigrant community organizer originally from Vietnam and currently based (and loving it) in the South.  Politicized and activated through their personal experiences in coming out at age 12, Loan continued widening the scope of their knowledge through shared experiences and storytelling as a revolutionary tactic. Over the years Loan has been heavily involved in ending intrapersonal violence, advocating for migration as a basic human right, creating anti-racist spaces in hopes of addressing other issues of socioeconomic injustice, and the liberation of queer and transgender individuals in their community. When Loan isn’t blogging or finding an Audre Lorde quote that they have not yet used as a weekly mantra, Loan enjoys roller skating, hanging out with kittens, and once in a while chilling with their other human friends, companer@s, family, and loved ones. Somehow, though, the conversation always comes back to revolution.

Loan – pronounced as student loan OR in Viet as “luan” like “juan” except with an l sound.

Are you also a feminist, or a pro-choice activist?

If so, IGNITE 2012 is looking for individuals to take part in a Bro-Choice Panel during this year's conference, September 14-16.

Panel participants will get free food, swag bags, travel reimbursement, and an awesome item to put on your resume!

If you or someone you know wants to participate, please contact Sarah Fonseca or Andrew Jenkins ([email protected]) ASAP!

~PLEASE REBLOG~

  Tata Elxsi has launched "IGNITE 2012"- a Design Contest that provides a platform for future designers. The contest is a part of  "connect D" - an annual event organized by Tata Elxsi to commemorate the World Industrial Design Day.

The theme of the contest this year is "Designing for Emerging Markets". It intends to address how design can provide innovative solutions to address the inherent challenges and opportunities that exist amongst developing economies of the world.

Nick Talbot, Global Design Head, Tata Elxsi, said, "We are excited to launch 'IGNITE 2012'.  As a leading design house, Tata Elxsi has always remained at the forefront of innovation. We strongly believe that this will provide the ideal platform to nurture, develop and promote young talent in the country. This contest will help students leverage their creativity and we look forward to innovative and indigenous ideas from them especially for an emerging market like India."

For More Details See

The 2011 ICC interns demonstrate the power of the spoken word in a Choral Reading of The Prayer of Saint Francis, presented at this year's IGNITE Leadership Retreat.