WASHINGTON, DC — (RNS) Nearly 1,000 African-American men, women, and youth, both gay and straight-identified, are expected to gather in Baltimore April 24-26 for a three-day event geared towards bridging the gap between the black gay and black straight communities.

Bishops Gene Robinson and Carlton Pearson, along with non-gay affirming Frank Reid III, will be among dozens of speakers and panelists for the Black Church Summit portion of the convention.

The Power of Us National Convention is being convened by the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a Washington, D.C.-based civil rights organization. The event will include workshops and panel discussions as well as entertainment focused upon issues pertaining to Black lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders as well their straight-identified allies and those opposed to homosexuality.

Topics such as politics, healthcare, religion, media representation, and financial literacy will be discussed during the conference.