Belinda Drake
“Most days, I remind myself that I’m Black and Queer, and both these parts of my identity can coexist. I always try to remind my team that everything we do at IYG helps reduce the suicide rates of LGBTQ+ youth, which is why our work is so important.” Belinda Drake
We conclude our #Pride theme with a mission-forward organization whose initiatives should be on the hearts and minds of all. Indiana Youth Group is a local organization that strives to provide youth safer spaces to build self-confidence, explore individualism and develop friendships within the LGBTQ+ community. Belinda Drake is at the forefront of this initiative, leading the charge as Director of Youth Services.
Belinda is an Indiana native with a passion for improving the quality of life for Hoosiers. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from IUPUI in 2009 and became Six Sigma Green Belt Certified in 2015. She accepted the position of Director of Youth Services at IYG this past September and has since been working tirelessly to provide the best programming and services for Indiana’s LGBTQ+ youth.
Outside of her work with the IYG, Belinda serves her community through both volunteerism and board service. She currently serves on the Board of Business and Neighborhood Services for the City of Indianapolis and as a Board Trustee for the Indianapolis Christian Theological Seminary. She also volunteers on the Equity Inclusion and Cultural Competence Committee with the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana.
Belinda believes that pride is not just a saying or a feeling of being proud, but a movement that was started to change the status quo for all those identifying as LGBTQ+. “Pride is a time for us to remember and honor those that led the LGBTQ movement,” she said. “It’s also a time for us to celebrate as a community.”
Belinda wants the celebration of pride to go beyond the month of June, which is why she is excited about the IYG’s upcoming plans for expansion. “Having safe spaces for LGBTQ+ allows for young people to build a community with their peers while learning to safely explore their identity,” she stated. In the coming months, IYG hopes to have a bigger impact on LGBTQ+ youth by continuing to provide free life-saving programs and services, including case management, housing, food, basic needs and counseling services.
We asked Belinda how to best support IYG, and she told us “Volunteers are the backbone of what we do, so we are always looking for volunteers.” The team is currently gearing up for their Queer Camp an inclusive overnight summer stay hosted in partnership with Jameson Camp. To volunteer for this and other upcoming events, head to www.indianayouthgroup.org. You can also keep up with the IYG by following them on FB (Indiana Youth Group (IYG)), IG (iygindy) and Twitter (iyg_indy).