Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelle Coachman.
Hi Chelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey with The Black Lesbian Network began with a vision to create something I felt was deeply needed in our community: a space where Black lesbians could come together, feel seen, build genuine connections, and experience a sense of belonging. As a Black lesbian myself, I understood the importance of having spaces where we could show up authentically, celebrate who we are, and connect with people who understand our experiences.
My background in social work also played a significant role in shaping the foundation of BLN. That experience influenced how I viewed community, the importance of meeting people where they are, and the need to create support systems that go beyond simply bringing people together. I wanted to build something that combined community, connection, and meaningful impact.
That vision became The Black Lesbian Network (BLN), a Houston-based nonprofit created by a Black lesbian for Black lesbians. From the beginning, the goal has been to create opportunities for our community to connect, celebrate, thrive, and build powerful community—unapologetically.
Through our events, we bring people together through music, art, performances, and shared experiences. But BLN has always been about more than events. We want people to walk into a room and leave with new connections, friendships, and a stronger sense of belonging. We believe that community should be intentional, welcoming, and accessible.
As BLN has grown, so has our commitment to serving our community beyond social spaces. Our Food Fund and emergency assistance efforts reflect the values that influenced the organization from the beginning: recognizing that people sometimes need support navigating difficult circumstances and that community means showing up for one another not only when it is time to celebrate, but also when someone needs help.
One of the most meaningful milestones in this journey has been establishing BLN as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This has strengthened our foundation and positioned us to pursue more funding, partnerships, and resources to expand our programs and reach more people.
I am proud of what we are building, but I recognize that there is still so much work to do. My vision is for The Black Lesbian Network to continue growing its programs, strengthening its Food Fund, and creating sustainable spaces and resources for Black lesbians—not just in Houston, but wherever our community needs connection and support.
Ultimately, I want BLN to be a reminder that we deserve spaces where we are celebrated, resources that support us, and communities where we do not have to navigate life alone. My background in social work helped shape my understanding of the importance of support and service, and BLN allows me to bring those values into a community that means so much to me. We deserve to thrive, and I want The Black Lesbian Network to be part of making that possible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Building The Black Lesbian Network has been challenging because the community we serve has needs that are often overlooked, and Black lesbians can find themselves in a unique position of being underserved in multiple spaces.
We often find ourselves navigating the intersection of racism, homophobia, and sexism. Within LGBTQ+ spaces, racism can make it difficult to feel fully welcomed and represented. Within the broader Black community, homophobia can create barriers to acceptance and support. And when it comes to spaces focused on women, we can still find ourselves navigating both. It can feel as though there is no one place where all parts of who we are are fully understood and embraced.
That is a major part of why The Black Lesbian Network is so important to me. We need spaces where Black lesbians do not have to choose which parts of themselves to bring into the room. We deserve to be celebrated, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive as our whole selves.
Funding has also been a significant challenge. In the current political climate, securing resources for organizations like ours can be especially difficult. We are working to raise the funds needed to sustain our Food Fund, provide emergency assistance, create safe and welcoming spaces, and expand programming to address the needs of Black lesbians in Houston and beyond. The need is there, but having the resources to meet that need consistently is an ongoing challenge.
Despite these obstacles, we remain committed to uplifting the people around us. We value our allies and the people who believe in our mission, and we know that building a stronger community requires people coming together. But we also understand that our community cannot always wait for someone else to recognize its needs. Sometimes, we have to build what we need ourselves.
The difficult road has reinforced why this work matters. Every connection made at an event, every person who receives assistance, and every opportunity we create for someone to feel seen reminds us why we started. We know we cannot address every need overnight, but we are committed to continuing the work, building partnerships, securing resources, and creating something sustainable for the people who need us.
Our biggest challenge is also part of our motivation: making sure Black lesbians are no longer an afterthought. We deserve investment, representation, resources, and spaces of our own, and I intend for The Black Lesbian Network to continue working toward that future.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Black Lesbian Network?
The Black Lesbian Network (BLN) is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by a Black lesbian for Black lesbians. Our mission is to create spaces and opportunities for Black lesbians to connect, celebrate, thrive, and build powerful community—unapologetically.
What people should know about BLN is that we are so much more than an event organization. While we are known for creating engaging social experiences through music, art, live performances, and community gatherings, everything we do is rooted in a bigger purpose: bringing people together and making sure our community has spaces where it feels seen, valued, and supported.
We believe that community building should extend beyond having a good time. That is why we also work to address tangible needs through initiatives like our Food Fund and emergency assistance efforts. Our events help create opportunities for connection while supporting the broader mission of giving back to the people we serve. We want to build a model where celebration and service go hand in hand.
What sets BLN apart is our intentional focus on Black lesbians, a community that is often overlooked even within spaces that are supposed to be inclusive. We understand that representation alone is not enough. People need opportunities to connect authentically, access resources, and build relationships with others who understand their experiences. We work to create an environment where someone can attend an event alone and leave feeling like they have found community.
I am most proud of the community we are building and the fact that BLN was created with a clear understanding of the people it serves. Our work is personal, but it is also purposeful. My background in social work helped shape my approach to service, and I carry that commitment into the organization by looking for ways to make our work meaningful beyond the moment.
I am also proud that we are building something with the potential to grow beyond Houston. Our vision is to expand our programming, strengthen our assistance initiatives, develop meaningful partnerships, and create more opportunities for Black lesbians to thrive. Receiving our 501(c)(3) status was an important milestone in that journey.
Ultimately, I want readers to understand that The Black Lesbian Network is about creating the kind of community we all deserve—one where we can celebrate our culture, support one another through difficult times, build lasting connections, and know that we do not have to navigate life alone. We are building something that is not only for us today, but for the generations of Black lesbians who deserve to have these spaces and resources available to them in the future.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite memories from my teenage years was attending a camp called Camp Anytown. It brought together young people from different schools and backgrounds, and what made the experience so special was how LGBTQ+-inclusive it was. I had never experienced anything quite like it before.
For the first time, I was surrounded by a large group of people who were unique in their own ways, and many of us were part of the LGBTQ+ community. There was a sense of understanding and acceptance that I had not experienced on that scale before. I remember how meaningful it felt to be in an environment where I could feel safe, connect with others, and not feel so different.
Looking back, that experience has stayed with me because it showed me the impact that safe and welcoming spaces can have on a person, especially at a young age. Sometimes, simply being in a room where you feel understood can change how you see yourself and what you believe is possible.
I think about that experience when I reflect on why I created The Black Lesbian Network. I want other people, especially Black lesbians, to have opportunities to experience that same sense of belonging and connection. I know what it feels like to find a space where you can finally exhale and realize you are not alone, and I want BLN to help create more of those spaces for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theblacklesbiannetwork.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BlackLesbianNetwork
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBlackLesbianNetwork
- Twitter: https://x.com/BlackLesbianNet
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theblacklesbiannetwork?si=tlipKh31vNlo0bL9
- Other: https://www.theblacklesbiannetwork.org/donate
