In
October 1989, a Women of Color Caucus (WOCC) was created by lesbian
members of the African-American Lesbian and Gay Alliance (AALGA)
to focus on their political, social, economic, and personal needs.
In June 1990, WOCC members voted to secede from AALGA in order
to become an autonomous entity.
Ever evolving, these women renamed themselves ZAMI — a Carriacou word meaning women who work together as friends and lovers. The name ZAMI also honors the late Audre Lorde, a Black lesbian feminist who was poet laureate for New York state and who wrote the biomythography ZAMI: A New Spelling of My Name.
For most of its existence, ZAMI provided a support base of discussion,
information and programming for lesbians of African descent in
the Atlanta area. In February 1997, ZAMI narrowed its focus to
promote, enhance and sustain the Audre
Lorde Scholarship Fund. Then in beginning in Feburary
2001, Zami began to sponsor four
monthly support groups, each of which meet at the YouthPride
Center in Decatur.
In
October 1989, a Women of Color Caucus (WOCC) was created by lesbian
members of the African-American Lesbian and Gay Alliance (AALGA)
to focus on their political, social, economic, and personal needs.
In June 1990, WOCC members voted to secede from AALGA in order
to become an autonomous entity.