KINDRED, an African American LGBT Giving Circle announces over $13,000 gift to local LGBT youth non-profit organization, SMYAL. KINDRED recognizes the significant number of African American LGBT youth who are served by and benefit from the efforts of SMYAL and celebrate the on-going outreach in the community. The gift will be presented on Monday, September 17th to Andrew Barnett, SMYAL Executive Director, and the Youth Advisory Board of SMYAL.

This is the first gift presented by KINDRED as a result of three years of planning and establishment of the giving circle by local African American LGBT individuals. Members of the giving circle each make a personal financial commitment and agree to work together as part of a collaborative grant-making process to gift collective funds.

About KINDRED
KINDRED utilizes the power of collective giving to uplift the African American LGBT community in Washington, DC. By pooling our time, talent, and treasure we empower our community from within, nurture ourselves as philanthropists, and honor organizations and people working to enhance the lives of black same-gender-loving people in the District. The current members of KINDRED are Anna Bavier, Nicole E. Cozier, Earl Rodney Holman, Nicole Ho-Sang, Stacey R. Long, Aisha Moodie-Mills, Danielle Moodie-Mills and Michael Smith. For more information or to learn how to join KINDRED, please contact kindredgivingcircle@gmail.com.

About SMYAL
SMYAL supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy. Committed to social change, SMYAL builds, sustains and advocates for programs, policies and services that LGBTQ youth need as they grow into adulthood. For more information, please visit http://www.smyal.org.