On December 22, 2010 FAMU alumna Sharon Lettman-Hicks, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, attended the White House ceremony at which U.S. President Barack Obama signed the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT). DADT was a 17-year old law prohibiting gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the military.In response to this historic moment, Lettman-Hicks stated:
“By repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ President Obama, along with the American people, has added a new chapter for civil rights in this country by officially putting an end to legalized anti-gay discrimination within the military. With the stroke of a pen, the President is strengthening our military by opening its doors to the untold thousands of gay and lesbian citizens, who previously have chosen not to serve out of concern that they would be dishonorably discharged. In these tough economic times, repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ creates job security for thousands of service members who have lived in fear that they might be expelled for characteristics that are outside of their control and that have no effect on their ability to perform their duties.”
The NBJC is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. NBJC played a leading role in lobbying the White House and Congress for DADT's repeal.