In Our Own Voices

What In Our Own Voices does

In Our Own Voices, Inc. (IOOV) is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 245 Lark Street in Albany, New York, with additional sites at the IOOV South End LGBTQ+ Center (200 Green Street, Albany) and the IOOV Troy LGBTQ+ Center (12 1st Street, Troy). The organization delivers services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and additional identity communities of color, alongside their friends and families, across a seven-county Capital Region service area. Service delivery is structured around three pillars: Direct Services (advocacy, trauma-informed counseling, social support groups, free and confidential HIV and Hepatitis C testing, a food pantry and emergency assistance, notary services, and linkages to housing, healthcare, and legal resources); Training & Technical Assistance (cultural competency training in anti-racism, implicit bias, intersectionality, and LGBTQ+-specific service delivery for external providers); and Policy & Advocacy (systems-level campaigns on trans rights, health equity, reproductive justice, and voting rights). Programmatic depth is organized into specialized cohorts — LGBTQ+ BIPOC adults, youth (Vibe Check, Alt Prom, Teen Night Testing), women and non-binary individuals (Project Violet, Sexversations for Her), transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals (Transcare, Project Phoenix, SexTransations), seniors (Life After 50), and survivors of violence — each with dedicated coordinators or directors.

The organization's signature programs include the annual Say It Loud! BIPOC* Pride celebration (marking its 20th anniversary in 2025–2026 with headliners Big Freedia and Jennifer Holliday), the annual Jazz in July fundraising gala, and the biennial Unity Through Diversity national health, wellness, and capacity-building conference (October 29 – November 2, 2025 at The Desmond Hotel, Albany). The technology posture is deliberately non-technological: no proprietary platform, no public API, no AI/ML capabilities; distribution runs through physical centers, partner venues, peer-educator outreach at college campuses, nightlife venues, barbershops and salons, email newsletters, and Instagram Live programming such as SexTRANSations LIVE with Dominique Jackson.

The revenue model is characteristic of a mid-size nonprofit: individual donations processed through PayPal, government grants implied by HIV/HCV testing, anti-violence and housing programming, corporate sponsorships of the Unity Through Diversity conference, and proceeds from the Jazz in July annual fundraising gala. Most direct services are delivered free of charge, with nominal ticket pricing on selected Pride-related events (e.g., $10 for Greenville Drive Inn Pride and Alt Prom; free admission to the BIPOC Pride main celebration). Governance sits with a community-based board (Board President Rhonda Daniel, Treasurer Maria Ayoob, Secretary Alicia Ortiz) plus a stable senior team led by CEO Tandra R. LaGrone and COO Phillip A. Burse, with no parent company, equity investors, or external capital structure. Founded in 1998 (firmographic record) with the first LGBTQ+ BIPOC Health Summit hosted in 2008, the organization has accumulated two decades of community trust as the preeminent Capital Region provider for LGBTQ+ BIPOC communities.

Name

In Our Own Voices

Legal name

In Our Own Voices, Inc.

Website

https://ioov.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

In Our Own Voices is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities across New York's seven-county Capital Region through direct services, training and technical assistance, policy advocacy, and signature programs including BIPOC Pride, the Jazz in July gala, and the Unity Through Diversity health conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ Community Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ community services
• HIV and HCV testing
• Anti-violence advocacy
• Cultural competency training
• Emergency food assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization accepts individual donations through PayPal and other channels to support annual programming and events.
2. Annual Fundraising Gala: Jazz in July annual gala featuring live music, awards ceremony, and live/silent auctions generates revenue for programming.
3. Conference Sponsorships: Unity Through Diversity Health Conference attracts corporate sponsors at various levels with marketing, PR, and recognition benefits packages.
4. Government Grants: Government funding implied by HIV/HCV testing services, anti-violence programs, and housing services which typically require public funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

In Our Own Voices, Inc. (IOOV) is a nonprofit organization that provides direct services, advocacy, and education for LGBTQ+ people of color in New York's Capital Region. Core offerings include counseling, emergency assistance, HIV/HCV testing, anti-violence intervention, social support groups, and cultural competency training and technical assistance for partner organizations.

Product overview

In Our Own Voices, Inc. (IOOV) is a community-based nonprofit organization serving LGBTQ+ BIPOC communities in New York's Capital Region. The organization operates a multi-faceted service model combining Direct Services (advocacy, counseling, emergency assistance, HIV/Hep C testing, notary services), Training & Technical Assistance, and Policy & Advocacy. Signature programs include the annual BIPOC* Pride celebration (20th anniversary in 2026), the Jazz in July fundraising gala, the biennial Unity Through Diversity National Health Conference, and various social support groups (Men's Empowerment Group, Project Violet, Life After 50, Vibe Check). The organization also maintains a Food Pantry, provides emergency assistance, and operates multiple LGBTQ+ community centers in Albany and Troy, NY.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BIPOC* Pride (Say it Loud!): Annual Pride celebration specifically for LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. The 2026 event marks the 20th anniversary of this initiative.
• Jazz in July
• Unity Through Diversity (UTD)

Products and services

• Direct Services Program Comprehensive case management, counseling, emergency assistance, HIV/HCV testing, and notary services for LGBTQ+ people of color in the Capital Region.
• Anti-Violence Intervention Services Domestic violence and intimate partner violence intervention, including a 24/7 helpline, emergency shelter, safety planning, and trauma-informed counseling for LGBTQ+ survivors.
• LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness Services Health screenings including HIV and Hepatitis C testing, sexual health education (Sexversations/SexTRANSations), and linkage to care for LGBTQ+ individuals and youth of color.
• Social Support Groups Peer-led support groups including Men's Empowerment, Project Violet (transgender women), Life After 50, and Vibe Check (youth), providing community connection and wellness programming.
• Training and Technical Assistance Cultural competency, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and intimate partner violence training delivered to schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and community organizations.
• Policy and Advocacy Civic engagement and policy advocacy advancing the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people of color through voter mobilization, legislative engagement, and coalition building.
• Emergency Food Assistance Food pantry services providing groceries and hygiene items to community members facing food insecurity.
• BIPOC Pride Event Annual community Pride celebration centering LGBTQ+ BIPOC voices, artists, and performers.
• Jazz in July Annual Gala Annual fundraising gala celebrating IOOV's mission and supporters, with proceeds underwriting community programs.
• Unity Through Diversity Health Conference Biennial health conference focused on the physical, mental, spiritual, political, and economic health of LGBTQ+ people of color.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 7 counties in New York's Capital Region
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NYSTAG (New York State Transgender Advocacy Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey advocacy partner working on systems level advocacy for transgender rights and equity. NYSTAG collaborates with IOOV on policy initiatives affecting LGBTQ+ BIPOC communities.
• NYCLU (New York Civil Liberties Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil liberties advocacy partner collaborating on policy and advocacy efforts to promote equity, dignity, and justice for LGBTQ+ BIPOC communities.
• New Pride AgendacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization partnering on policy initiatives and advocacy campaigns.
• Equality New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ advocacy organization collaborating on legislative advocacy and community organizing efforts.
• Black Women's BlueprintcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization addressing needs of Black women partnering with IOOV on intersectional advocacy efforts.
• Pride Center of the Capital RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Alt Prom event for LGBTQ+ youth, marking 21+ years of partnership. Collaborates on Pride season events including Kick-Off BBQ.
• Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides free one-on-one legal consultations covering family law, child support, custody, divorce, orders of protection, and domestic violence for LGBTQ+ BIPOC survivors.
• KeyBankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial education partner hosting Money Talks workshop on budgeting, credit repair, and financial independence for survivors.
• Troy YWCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for Be Proud, Get Tested events and Healing Workshop for Survivors, providing space for community health programming.
• The Desmond HotelminorOthersConference venue for Unity Through Diversity 2025 Health Conference. Offers special conference rate for attendees.
• Albany Boys & Girls ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Teen Night Testing events providing HIV/HCV testing services for teens under 18 with gift card incentives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Black Justice Coalition: National civil rights organization dedicated to Black LGBTQ+/same-gender-loving people; direct peer to IOOV's BIPOC-focused LGBTQ+ mission with shared policy advocacy, training, and community-development activities at a national scale.
• Transgender Law Center: National organization led by and serving transgender people of color; direct peer to IOOV's Transcare Program and Project Phoenix/Project SexTransations, with shared focus on TGNCNB community health and advocacy.
• Pride Center of the Capital Region: Direct peer operating in the same Albany/Capital Region LGBTQ+ service ecosystem; co-hosts events like Alt Prom with IOOV and serves overlapping LGBTQ+ populations, though with a broader (less BIPOC-specific) mandate.
• SAGE (Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders): National organization serving LGBTQ+ older adults — directly comparable to IOOV's "Life After 50" peer-led social and support group for LGBTQ+ individuals over 50, addressing similar isolation and affirming-care needs.

Broad incumbents

• The Trevor Project: National LGBTQ+ youth services and crisis intervention organization; comparable mission overlap with IOOV's youth programming (Vibe Check, Teen Night Testing, Alt Prom), but at national scale with significant technology-enabled delivery.
• GLAAD: National LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization; comparable advocacy and culture-change orientation to IOOV's Policy & Advocacy program, though GLAAD operates at national media scale rather than direct service delivery.
• NYC LGBTQ+ Center (The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center): Larger incumbent operating in the same LGBTQ+ community-center space in NYC; offers direct services, support groups, and cultural programming analogous to IOOV but at much greater scale and with broader (not exclusively BIPOC) focus.
• Lambda Legal: National legal organization advancing LGBTQ+ civil rights; comparable to IOOV's legal advocacy and LGBTQ+ Legal Advocate service, with deeper focus on impact litigation and precedent-setting cases.

Emerging players

• Hispanic Black Gay Coalition: Boston-area organization serving LGBTQ+ people of color; comparable intersectional BIPOC LGBTQ+ mission to IOOV, with overlapping direct services and community-building focus, though operating in a different regional market.

Regional players

• Ali Forney Center: NYC-based organization providing housing and services for LGBTQ+ homeless youth; comparable mission on LGBTQ+ youth housing/services (overlapping IOOV's housing director scope), but focused on NYC rather than upstate NY.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ioov245
• Xx.com/ioov245

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about In Our Own Voices