Activist, Social Worker, Sista
Roshelle "Darlene" Hudson
A Southern Community Organizer Co-Founder of Rustin Lorde Breakfast & Co founder Southern Unity Movement
Greetings and welcome to all.
I am so grateful to be here, and that all of you are here, to help us mark 25 years of dedicated community building and leadership development led by Black LGBTQ+ individuals for our Queer interracial, interdenominational, and intergenerational community in Atlanta and beyond. We are also grateful for the support of our straight allies. To God be the Glory for the things she/he has done!
The Rustin/Lorde Breakfast has served as a valuable platform for activists and other concerned individuals, to fellowship together, be inspired, and foster change. Over the past 25 years, this community has shown consistent care and support for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and other health challenges, including mental health. We have advocated against institutional racism and hatred, supported victims of violence, formed coalitions, and promoted voter registration. We have also been inclusive of the faith community, the arts and culture, which are all important to our well-being.
Although the Rustin/Lorde Breakfast started with only a dozen or so committed individuals in the basement of the old United Methodist building, it’s grown to close to 400 participants annually. Along the way, we have seen many of our youth, some who accompanied their parents to the Breakfast as children, become scholars, politicians, teachers, writers, and more—each contributing to our collective progress. We even receive acknowledgement of our community work through letters of support from elected officials. I am reminded by the Margaret Mead quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
However, all that we have achieved is under threat by racists and homophobic individuals, especially those in government and other institutions and businesses. They want to turn the clock back. Acts of divisiveness, intimidation, outright racism, violence against trans and LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, women and girls, and voter suppression are being promoted and tolerated by them. The list is too long and ugly about all of the ways our freedoms are being trampled.
The 2026 theme for the Rustin/Lorde Breakfast encapsulates our core values and acts as a guide to fight back: Caring, Community, Courage, Change, and Commitment. I hope you will leave here today inspired to stand with courage and resist injustice, and to care for our community and all humanity to create the change that we want to see. I leave you with the words of another Black lesbian poet, activist and friend to Audre Lorde, Pat Parker, which seem fitting for the historical moment we are in:
Take the strength that you may
Wage a long battle.
Take the pride that you can
Never stand small.
Take the rage that you can
Never settle for less.
Roshelle "Darlene" Hudson
Program emcee
Lisa Cunningham
Lisa Cunningham is an Atlanta-based filmmaker and health equity strategist whose work blends cultural storytelling with community impact. She began her career in the entertainment industry, directing and producing more than a thousand music videos and visual projects. Over time, she felt called to use her creative skillset in service of health advocacy, shifting her work toward narratives that uplift and protect underrepresented communities.
Lisa has created LGBTQ health content for organizations including ViiV Healthcare and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her transition into public health storytelling deepened her commitment to advancing equity through media, strategy, and lived experience.
Today, Lisa serves as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Black Women’s Health Imperative, where she leads innovative campaigns and national initiatives that center the voices and needs of Black women and girls. She directed content for the award-winning “I Am HIV Possible” campaign with Gilead Sciences and has partnered with cultural icons like Ciara and Mary J. Blige to elevate issues spanning breast and cervical cancer, diabetes prevention, and menopause awareness.
Lisa also directed Me Period, a BWHI documentary featuring Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tabitha Brown, which won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2024 Essence Film Festival. Her work on the film earned her Best Director of a Documentary at the 2025 Urbanworld Film Festival, and the project continues to inspire intergenerational conversations about health, identity, and empowerment.
A passionate LGBTQ+ advocate, Lisa also serves on Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ LGBTQ Advisory Board, championing equity, visibility, and community-driven change.
Self-care Guidance
Penelope French
Penelope French is a spiritualist activist, ethicist, theologian and cultural community organizer. Their pronouns are they/she/he. She has a background in holistic wellness and healing justice with a focus on curating spaces of healing for the LGBTQIA+ community. They bring 20 years of experience in facilitation, public speaking, political education, youth pastoring, pastoral care, power building, and community development. They are dedicated to the liberation and self expression of all creation. Penelope received their M.A. Inter Religious Leadership with a concentration on justice, peace building, and conflict transformation from Candler School of Theology, Emory University focusing her coursework on womanist studies and intersectionality. They work closely with national and international movement organizations to create and develop deep rooted connections throughout the diaspora.
Outside of academic & professional achievements Penelope French is a lover of the arts. They are a revolutionary soul singer and songwriter that champions pan africanism and liberation through his art
Inspirational Poet
Ryan Jones
Ryan Jones is an award-winning spoken word artist, an environmental engineer, lawyer, and a lemon pepper wing connoisseur. In October 2025, Ryan founded the non-profit organization, Black Empowerment for Environmental Sustainability (BEES), that seeks to create culture and conversation around the pursuit of social and environmental justice by using the performing arts. Ryan is a participant in the Round 11 Reiser Atlanta Artist's Lab with the Alliance Theater, where he is currently developing his debut stage play, "in spite of years of silence," a choreopoem about love, forgiveness, and healing in Black parent-child relationships. Ryan was born and raised in the Metro Atlanta area, where he currently resides.
Interview With Lorraine Fontana
Long Time Supporter of The Rustin/Lorde Brefast
By Stefanie Steele
SS Lorraine, thank you so much for taking the time for this interview, and congratulations on being the recipient of the 2026 Rustin/Lorde Legacy Award! You are so deserving. You’ve been at practically every Breakfast, and were the first person to take photographs to document the event.
LF I enjoy helping to share the event and ongoing history with my photos and posts.
SS Anything else motivates you to attend?
LF The importance of this happening on MLK Day since 2005 for the Black queer community to say (in part), “We were there during the Civil Rights Movement, and we need to be recognized as part of our community too…all parts of us!” Also, seeing so many friends I don’t get to see too often and hearing from, and giving thanks, to old and new activists in our POC communities.
SS Have there been any particular speakers/experiences at the Breakfast that stand out for you?
LF Way too many great speakers to pick one, or even a few. I DO love seeing the children come up and show us their work and speak! Hearing music and songs always lifts me.
SS You’ve had a long history of activism going back to the 60s. What were your motivations for getting involved back then?
LF Mostly the Civil Rights Movement on the evening news as I grew up. Also, the reading I started doing because of it, and the Black Empowerment movement, and anti-colonial/anti-imperialist info from people and books. A lot was because of the Vietnam war, but also anti-colonial struggles in Africa.
SS And you’re not slowing down. Are there any particular organizations you are a part of today?
LF Yes, I am a member of First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta’s Social Justice Guild (SJG) and Atlanta Grandmother’s for Peace. I had also, until recently, been active with Southerners on New Ground (SONG) and Democratic Socialists of America here in Atlanta, and am currently helping to form a new CodePink chapter here in ATL.”
SS As we know, activism can be exhausting, and many activists burn out. Do you have a space of comfort for when events seem overwhelming? This could be a person, place or activity.
LF The Activities that I enjoy include shooting pool (am in a couple of leagues), water volleyball, working 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, taking photos and sharing them, drawing and poster making. The Persons include, being with chosen-family members, and joining comrades in an action that is hopeful (and hopefully fun), like the Rustin/Lorde Breakfast!
My Place of comfort and rest is my apt where I can relax and stay in pjs all day if I want to…place to watch tv both for fun and learning something new…spending time on Facebook and responding to emails.
SS Wow, that sounds like a great balance and fun. Finally, do you have any suggestions or words of encouragement for young queer activists today?
LF Keep remembering that it’s ALL related…it’s not just being queer…or just being a woman…or just being poor or working class…or just being Black…or just being disabled. All the isms come from the same place and mindset—”we are better than them.” Focus on community and cooperation, rather than competition and one-ups-manship. And have fun together as well as do serious/difficult actions!