Lettman tapped to lead civil rights organization

The National Black Justice Coalition Board of Directors has chosen Sharon J. Lettman, a proud Rattler, as the organization's new Executive Director. Headquartered in Washington, DC, The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and ending racism and homophobia.

"We must bring our families together," Lettman said. "Gay and transgender people are our children, our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, parents, co-workers and friends. They are a vital part of the black community, and it is time for everyone to recognize the real issues we all face when our brothers and sisters are denied full participation in the life of our community.”

Lettman’s efforts to advance the conversation of race, religion, and sexual orientation have shown remarkable progress through the African American Religious Affairs Program she led at People For the American Way Foundation that addressed Homophobia in the Black Church. In addition, The Gill Foundation highlighted Lettman in its 2008 annual report as a “key ally” for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality movement. She is also on the board of directors for National Stonewall Democrats.

"What has always drawn me to this work, and to the people I've been proud to stand alongside, is the knowledge that we must work together to create the better future we seek," Lettman continued. "In my new role at NBJC, that means lifting the voices of our community, building bridges so that all who experience discrimination can understand the common ground we share, and walking across those bridges together in greater and greater numbers toward equal rights for all."

Prominent civil rights activist and former chairwoman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights Mary Frances Berry said, "Having witnessed Lettman’s leadership firsthand while she led key initiatives at PFAW, I am certain she has the ability to unify families and our community and succeed in her goal to establish a common ground around black LGBT issues. Her unwavering commitment to social justice will break barriers at the intersection of race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Lettman, who attended FAMU, has a long track record of leadership. In 2000, Sharon was the Chief Administrator of the March on Tallahassee—the largest, organized, state capital demonstration in Florida's history. The march was in response to then-Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s attempt to end affirmative action by executive order in Florida. Two years later, she was the statewide campaign manager for the Florida Coalition to Reduce Class Size—a successful constitutional amendment initiative. Lettman also took great pride in the role she played as campaign manager and chief strategist for FAMU alumnus Andrew D. Gillum during his early election races for the Tallahassee City Commission.

Lettman resides in the Washington, DC area and recently married a Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force who returned this past July from a tour of duty in Balad, Iraq.