Griot Circle, Incorporated

GRIOT Circle is a community-based, multigenerational organization serving LGBTQ elders of color. Our mission is to respond to and eliminate all forms of oppression, including: ageism, racism, sexism, misogyny, transphobia, homophobia, poverty, xenophobia, and their intersections. We achieve this by providing health, wellness, advocacy, and leadership activities that removes isolation and fear, build community, as well as honor racial and ethnic traditions. GRIOT (Gay Reunion In Our Time) Circle was founded as an informal gathering of elders and was officially recognized as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in 1996. GRIOT Circle remains the only organization exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of elder LGBTQ people of color. Vision All LGBTQ elders of color experiencing a just and abundant quality of life. Core Values COMMUNITY: an essential part of life that contributes to the building of friendship, companionship, family, support, and the celebration of our lives and survival; as well as creates avenues for collaboration with agencies and partners focused on using resources in a complementary manner. RESPECT: each person's humanity, history, traditions, experiences, and privacy is valued and encouraged. SAFETY: recognizing that there is no one “safe” space for all, GRIOT works to foster a physically and emotionally safe environment in all aspects of our programming. JUSTICE: intrinsic to GRIOT's programming and advocacy with and on behalf of all of our constituencies. EMPOWERMENT: GRIOT supports our members in living a better life by creating life-long opportunities for learning, growing, and sharing their individual life experiences. INTEGRITY: GRIOT is committed to responsible, honest, transparent, ethical and accountable management. EXCELLENCE: GRIOT strives to establish a culture of accountability, growth, and excellence among staff, volunteers, and board members.