Collections by Michelle Brown

C. Imani Williams will always be a Detroiter even though she currently resides in Las Vegas. She returns as a guest  to talk about her latest book "Seven Years in A Vegas" a follow-up to her book "Rootwork: Triumph Over Trauma" and building safe spaces in Las Vegas' arts community.  This queer Black Womanist is a certified creative artist and holisitc wellness life coach. A survivor of child sexual abuse she addresses trauma in both of her boks and using them as well as her life eperience to help others . 

Tracee McDaniel is the Founder and Executive Director of Juxtaposed Center for Transformation Inc - an anchoring organization for Trans housing Atlanta Program.. Her talents extend beyond her advocacy for the Transgender community. She is currently working for safe, affordable housing not just for members of the Transgender community but any one in need. She is a talented artist and author having completed a memoir "Transitions - Memoirs of a Transexual Woman" as well as other projects. She un apologetically puts the "T" first. She was recently announced as one of the 2024 Esteem Award Recipients.

Marques Coley was born in Carlsbad, CA but Michigan has been home most of his life. The oldest of four children, he always knew he was different but just didn't know how. His journey to self-discovery began at a young age and has been journaling since he was fourteen. Inspired by his 8th grade teacher, he learned different styles of writing and incorporated it into in his journal. His writing took off and he began to write his feelings. His secrets poured on to the page and he began to feel safe. His book "Being That Kid" is a coming out story, his coming out story but so much more. It's where Marques shares his truth and hopes that by doing so it will start conversations for and about folks who have been that kid.. Now he is speaking at pride celebrations and talking with small groups in hopes  of helping others live their authentic lives.

Karen Kendra Holmes has been showing up and making a difference in her community not just as a member of the transgender community but most of her life. Being of service to others is just what she does! When not speaking publicly, Karen continues working with local police departments helping to bring dignity and respect to police interactions with members of the transgender community She was recognized twice as "Soldier of the Year" by the State Guard Association of the United States and the Maryland State Guard Association. This Award-Winning Public Servant and Transgender advocate shared her passion for helping others transition and to foster acceptance and support from those around them in a 2018 Tedx Talk. She has been doing volunteer work with the Maryland Defense Force; done volunteer work with the American Red Cross for the National Capital Region and has been volunteering with Community Emergency Response Team in Prince George's County, Maryland. Her latest endeavor "The Butterfly Project" housed in the Prince George's County Memorial library provides resources for Trans and Non-Binary Folks. The Butterfly Project is a dedicated workforce development project at the Fairmount Heights Branch Library specifically for young Black and brown trans women, who are among the most at-risk people in our community. Inspired by the life and work of Karen Holmes, head of the Prince George's Trans Coalition, the program seeks to ready young women for the job market and connect them with vital, affirming services. No matter your living, earning, or job skills situation, The Butterfly Project fosters a respectful, non-judgmental space to help young women blossom at their own pace in a safe environment

Jay Kaplan has been the staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan's LGBTQ+ Project since its founding in 2001. He has worked on cases including challenging undercover sting operations targeting gay men, fighting Michigan's constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage in 2004, defending the validity of second parent adoptions in Michigan and recently advocating for a transgender high school student to run for prom court. He's been recognized and received multiple awards for his work.  Many in the LGBTQ+ and theater community also know Jay as a talented singer, dancer, actor and director. He has appeared in many local productions and recently directed the play "A Raisin In The Sun." He has enjoyed performing since he was a child. He talks about his impressive career fighting for social justice and his love of performing. What's next for Jay? The skies the limit!!

It's been a tough couple of years. COVID, some health issues and life caused us to take a break, go on hiatus, stop the conversations. But Collections by Michelle Brown - Blog Radio is back and ready to bring you the stories of individuals living between the lines, standing boldly in the crosshairs of their intersectionality and creating change, What better way to kick things off than to go back to how it  all begin.  This is the episode where we spill the tea on Collections by Michelle Brown-Blog Radio. With the help of two listeners and friends we are going to tell it all, well almost all of the history, back stories about the show and yours truly its host.  New music, new partnerships, new shows. SO sit back and enjoy the ride!!!!!

Wyatt O'Brian Evans is a Journalist. Author. Radio Personality. Intimate Partner Violence & Abuse (IPV/A) Subject Matter Expert (SME), Advocate and Speaker. Voice-over (V/O) Instructor and Talent is currently celebrating the release of his latest novel “Shattered!” The latest installment in the Nothing Can Tear Us Apart series. Wyatt is the quintessential Renaissance man. His work has been featured in various print and online media outlets. Wyatt founded and is editor-in-chief of and a writer for Wyattevans.com, a leading online news, features, commentary, and entertainment media outlet for the LGBTQ+ Community and its Allies.As a child, Wyatt wrote poems, short stories—and even a series of comic books!  This journey led Wyatt to author the groundbreaking and popular Nothing Can Tear Us Apart (NCTUA) series of novels (Gay/SGL, Male to Male).  You can learn more about Wyatt his books, podcast, events and all about this renaissance man at his website wyattevans.com

Pride in the Pews is reimagining what inclusion looks like in Black churches. Launched in 2020 by Pastor Don Abram, Pride in the Pews collects and shares stories of LGBTQ+ people in the Black Church and includes a group of eight historically Black religious denominations and other Christian groups that primarily minister to African Americans. Like any in the LGBTQ community Pastor Abram found that the church that had loved, raised and reared him turned its back on him when he came out. This experience pushed him to found Pride in the Pews. The organizatio has epanded byond the city of Chicago to communities nationwide. Our guest Calvin Taylor Director of Partnerships and Program of Pride in the Pews, leads workshops in activities about statistics of LGBTQ+ members in Black churches. The organization will be recognized at this year's Esteem Awards in Chicago on July 1, 2023.    

May is Lupus Awareness Month!! Across the planet, people are putting on purple to spread the word about the autoimmune disease. Lupus affects women, especially women of color, most often between the ages of 15 to 44 years old. Symptoms of lupus include extreme fatigue, hair loss, the mylar rash (also called the butterfly rash across the face), joint pain, swelling in hands and feet, and fevers. In the metro-Detroit area individuals living with and their families find support, encouragement and inspiration as Lupus Warriors. Through Lupus Detroit, a non-profit organization founded by Sharon Harris Warriors find more than support, they find family. Lupus Detroit hosts regular support meetings, offers financial support and holds an annual walk and gala each year. Johnetta Smith is not only a member of Lupus Detroit, but she is the surviving parent of not one but two Lupus Warriors - her daughters - who were taken too soon by this disease that still has no cure. This Lupus Warrior Mom continues her daughters' legacy by spreading awareness about Lupus while supporting the organization .

Deidre McCalla is a singer-songwriter-guitarist. This African American mother, lesbian, feminist has been performing for close to 50 years and been in the forefront of the growing number of Black musicians reconfiguring perceptions of how Black folk do folk. McCalla came of age in the fiery blaze of NYC's folk heyday. Her first album was released when she was 19 and a student at Vassar College. She is a much beloved performer in both folk and women's music circles. With five independent albums to her credit McCalla has touched audiences from Maine to Maui. Her most recent release “Endless Grace” was one of the top 10 folk albums of 2022 in Rhythms Magazine and her song “Shoulder to the Wheel” was winner of the 19th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards for Best Folk/Americana/Roots Song.

Renae Taylor is an African American, disabled, nonbinary trans organizer. Born in Tupelo MS her current home base is in Memphis, TN where they are Assistant Program Manager at We Care TN. She uses they and she as pronouns. Renae has been advocating since 2000 traveling around the world on behalf of transgender rights, needs and visibility. They are an HIV prevention Educator and Activist associated with many HIV organizations. They have also participated in the local Black Lives Matter Chapter in Memphis. They are also a National Advisory Board member of positively trans. Renae believes in the  right to be Sex Positive and for Reproductive rights that aren't criminalized and stigmatized. A self-professed social justice aficionado, Renae will be one of the keynote speakers at this year's Black Trans Advocacy Coalition (BTAC) conference in Dallas Texas April 25th-30th..

Walter Naegle, the surviving partner of the late American Civil Rights leader and the executive director of the Bayard Rustin Fund joins us to talk about the LGBTQ, civil rights and human rights icon. On March 17th we celebrate the birth of LGBTIQ icon, activist Bayard Rustin. Rustin, who died in 1987 at age 75, was an African American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights. One of his most notable contributions to the African American Civil Rights Movement was his planning of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Now popularly associated with Martin Luther King's “I Have a Dream” speech. In the 1970s and 1980s he worked as a human rights and election monitor for Freedom House and testified on behalf of New York State's Gay Rights Bill. Walter Naegle is the surviving partner of the late American Civil Rights leader and the executive director of the Bayard Rustin Fund, which commemorates Rustin's life, values, and legacy. Many were first introduced to Rustin through the film “Brother Outsider.” Naegle is here today to shed even more light on the life and times  of Bayard Rustin including recent publications and a Netflix Documentary to be produced by the Obama's Higher Ground Productions.

On Saturday February 25th Rethink the Narrative The Esteem Awards presented Artists in the Afternoon – Beyond Publishing. One of the panelist from that event was Tom Logan. Tom Logan is the CEO of Ebanman. EBANMAN showcases the professional lifestyle of mature Black gay/queer men within Business, Travel, Arts & Entertainment, and Community Voice Its curated publication has enlightening articles, engaging commentary, and appealing visual design. He shares his journey to establish Ebanman and the preparation for launching its new website. The Ebanman community evolved from the lack of resources, archetypes, and the media's skewed portrayal of Black gay men. Logan and his team recognized this vast gap of diversity in the black gay experiencean decided to curate a safe space to provide resources, services and showcase our culture and lifestyle diversity. Understanding there's a need to develop broader awareness of Black gay identity (the invisible man in the community), educating the world of who we are, defying the stereotypes set by mainstream media Tom is also here to talk about a beautiful coffee table book. Ebanman has curated this book that provides a visible and tangible extension of the brand. It includes 47 beautiful Black and White photos of mostly African American gay men and an ally living there best lives. Ebanman believes there is an incredible opportunity to unify Black gay men who are different but have shared experiences to propel our culture and community forward.

On Saturday February 25th Rethink the Narrative and The Esteem Awards present Artists in the Afternoon – Beyond Publishing.On this broadcast are the phenomenal gentlemen behind this event Author and Publisher, Dr. Derrick Tennial, and the producer/founder of the Esteem Awards, Phil Esteem. This afternoon event highlights written and spoken word, music, art, and more. Panelists in the first group will discuss why representations matters. Dr. Derrick Tennial will moderate the group panel covering everything from tapping your inner artist, how to get published & why representations matters. Panelists include: Ryan Douglass, author, freelance writer, and poet. - Aaron Foley, author, journalist and founding director of the Black Media Initiative -Michelle E. Brown, author, activist, poet, & lecturer - Frederick L. Smith, author/novelist and social justice advocate - Fiona Zeddle, author and fiction novelist - Adam L. McMath, filmmaker, activist, and Executive Director of the Black Alphabet Film Fest During the second group Tom Logan of EBANMAN will reveal an upcoming Coffee table book focusing on representation in the AFrican American Gay community matters. It will also include a special performance by Tim'm West, poet, author, educator & Executive Director of the LGBTQ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Join this virtual event by registering on eventbrite. 

Kylar Broadus  is a true warrior for equality, civil rights, the LBTQ community in general but especially Transgender individuals from communities of color. This attorney, long-time activist, public speaker, author and professor is a groundbreaking trailblazer who forged the way for many of today's leaders. Not content to sit on his laurels, Kylar continues his advocacy in New York, Washington DC and across the nation. He was awarded the Trans Trailblazer Award by the LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles. He was awarded the 2018 Gentleman of Excellence Award. Mastercard in 2018 featured Broadus for Pride Month. He was recognized by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office of King's County in Brooklyn, New York in 2018 for his contributions to the legal field.In 2017 Liberty Mutual honored him at the GLAAD Awards for his 30 years contribution to the movement. The Advocate recognized Broadus as one of “25 Legal Advocates Fighting for Trans Rights.”  He was named to the Out 100 by Out Magazine in 2013. Broadus was the first out transgender American to testify before the United States Senate in favor of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act in 2012. Broadus was given the Pioneer Award at the Trans faith of Color Conference by the Freedom Center of Social Justice.   In 2011, he was awarded the Sue J. Hyde Activism Award for Longevity in the Movement at Task Force National Conference on LGBT Equality: Conference Creating Change.  He has been featured in Esquire, BlackEnterprise.Com and Diversity, Inc. and numerous other publications. He is founder and director of the Trans People of Color Coalition the only national organization dedication to the civil rights of transgender people of color

Professor Mike Whitty is a futurist and researcher on trends in politics, culture & rebuilding community. He has given seminars on the future of Detroit, human unity, unity and diversity, tolerance and civility. He brings his unique lens to the wins, challenges and potential we face moving forward including the need to overcome the extremism of the GOP (even post Trump) do it with positive hope that we can build winning coalitions 2023 & 2024 The need for connection between all the groups targeted by the far right The role of community building - not only like minded but all our neighbors

Born in Vidalia Georgia, Ericka Blount began pursuing greatness from the start. Her hard work and dedication earned her two full athletic scholarships to Savannah State University for both basketball and volleyball which allowed her to pursue her degrees in biology and chemistry. Blount chose Houston, Texas to begin expanding her reach. It was in Texas that Blount received her vision for her holistic wine company, which she entitled “Blount Wine Therapy”. Much like the creator, this unique wine is “Georgia born, and Texas made”, and using local agricultural products, she creates Artisan wines and honey-based meads that offer health benefits to enhance the social and emotional experience of each consumer and create safe spaces for healing and therapeutic conversations. Blount Wine Therapy has most recently been awarded Wine of Distinction for 2022 by the #1 US News Ranked Black Wine Club and Festival; Black Vines- Oakland, California. Her passion to connect and serve people has been made evident time and time again but is most easily seen in how she continues to serve as a mentor to children and young adults across the country. Blount currently serves as a High School Counselor, in which she has 23 years experience. Blount was nominated for  2 consecutive years for Who's Who Among America's Teacher Award.  She is a certified Grief Counselor, as well as a Certified Anger Management Specialist. Blount is the Regional Educational & Mental Health Director for the Greater Faith Leadership Conference, and she also has a consulting firm Distinction Management Group partnered with the Center for Innovation at Savannah State University.

Damon Percy is a self-proclaimed author, activist, cultural critic, mentor, poet, publicist and Proud Sexy Nerd is a Detroit original. He received his nickname “Magic” from membership in Detroit's ballroom community and the name, which captures his personality perfectly, has followed him through life. Damon attended Cass Technical High School and received his degree in journalism from Wayne State University. However, it wasn't until he was adopted into his chosen family by LGBTQ Detroit's founder/executive director Curtis Lipscomb and began writing for KICK magazine that he really began following his passion of telling the stories of the Black LGBTQ+ community. He is now collaborating with LGBTQ Detroit to collect and archive the stories of Detroit's vibrant African American LGBTQ+ community. He is also a proud member of Kappa Psi Kappa, Inc. fraternity. Kappa Psi Kappa is a non-profit, non-collegiate, service/social fraternity for "progressive" men of all ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and sexual orientations.  “Magic” recently was recognized at the organization's Konclave 2022 for his membership longevity of 13 years. He works as a publicist in the Gospel Music Industry and a freelance music journalist online and in print while spreading the magic of unity, family and community wherever he goes.

Organizers of Atlanta's Black Pride Weekend proudly boasts it is the largest Black pride in the country with day and night parties and over 25 events that are open to all. Taking place over the Labor Day weekend its a great way to close out the summer Two of the unique events include an LGBTQ+ Food and Wine Festival and a panel discussion “Artists in the Afternoon.” Tom Logan, CEO of EBANMAN INC, hosts the first food & wine festival shining an international spotlight on the diversity of the LGBTQ influence in food, wine, and the spirits industry. . Ebanman is a lifestyle brand dedicated to enhancing the lives of Black gay men. Dr. Derrick Tennial, founder and CEO of Rethink the Narrative Media Company, will moderate the panel for “Artists in the Afternoon: Prose, Poetry and More" that will explore cover everything from tapping your inner artist, how to get published and more. Panelists include Tim'm West, Dr, Cedric Bridgeforth,.T'ai Freedom Ford, Latanya Mack and more. REThink the Narrative's mission to be a creative voice that educates, empowers, and entertains communities of color Planning a road trip to Atlanta for the largest Black pride in the country. There's something for everyone including these two unique events.

Jeffrey Glen Cross is a Detroit original. Growing up on Detroit's east side he attended Finney high school then went on to attend Wayne State University where he studied business management and at the International Academy of Design & Technology .One of seven siblings, his most cherished photos are of family. Jeffrey always had a passion for the arts since childhood but photography wasn't his first choice until 2002. Now a published portrait, fashion, wedding and event photographer Jeffrey Cross's work has been featured in national and international magazines. His work has also been featured in a documentary and on reality tv. He has photographed award winning cd covers for a host of musical artists. Cross has worked in New York, Houston, LA, Nashville, Chicago, London Paris & Amsterdam . On August 17th his work will be a part of a night of art, music, fashion and more in Downtown Detroit at St. Andrews Hall. RAW Detroit: Unchained!  RAW is a fun and alternative way for creatives to showcase both to their local community and the world at large. It is not your average art show. The mission is to serve independent artists with tools, resources, education and exposure needed to thrive and succeed in their creative careers.

Tarik Daniels is founder and executive director of Austin-based What's in the Mirror - a social movement committed to bringing suicide and mental health awareness and prevention through art and advocacy in minority communities. As a member of the House of Xclusive Lanvin ballroom family he is Tarik Lanvin, Overall Father Lepore, . Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he has for the past 9 years called Austin, Texas home. He is the author of “No Bonds So Strong”  a coming of age drama about four black queer friends growing up in Detroit. Tarik Daniels was the recipient of this year's National Future Leader Award. 

Scott Ellis began as volunteer just wanting to help organize the great lakes bay area LGBTQIA+ community's pride events. Today he is the executive director of the Great Lakes Bay Pride. Great Lakes Bay Pride (formerly known as Perceptions) is the LGBTQIA+ education, advocacy, networking, and resource organization in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region of Bay, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties. Ellis brings his background in business and communications to the organization to develop its programming including the Harmony Diversity Choir, Tobacco Cessation, and a Transgender group. He also produces the Great Lakes Region Pride Festival celebration. After two years of Celebrating Pride at Home, this year's Great Lakes Bay Pride festival, takes place Saturday June 25th. It is the festival's 20th anniversary. The Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival is FREE to attend and open to all. 

You don't have to go into the old record vault and listen to Margaret Whiting's song to have those "Those far away places with the strange-sounding names " call you. Just tune in here and listen to our latest conversation with The Black & Gay (BAG) Collective​ founder/CEO Mike Henderson​ and you will hear the call. From national parks to places "Far away over the sea" the road will be calling you!! Are you ready to recover from winter's cabin fever, to get out of the house and hit the road? Are you trying to decide how to use those accumulated vacation days and dreaming of faraway places, hanging out with friends, or meeting new friends? Our friend, adventurer, traveler, and founder/CEO of BAG travel Mike Henderson has some great ideas for your consideration. From Memorial Day through New Year's Eve, it's one adventure after another not just at some National Parks but trips to Mexico, Europe, and beyond. Whether you're traveling with BAG travel or on your own, Henderson offers tips to traveling drama free, safely, and making the best of your getaway. Like the song says "They call me a dreamer. Well maybe I am. But I know that I'm burning to see those Far away places with the strange sounding names. Calling, calling me

We first met at a past Esteem Award in Chicago. Ken Mejia Beal was a guest that year. This year he is receiving the award for Chicago's Outstanding Service - Male. Ken is a community organizer and Chair of the DuPage County Democratic Party. As a long-time resident, community activist, and a leader in the financial sector, Ken Mejia-Beal has spent the better part of his life helping others. A part of the greater Chicago area's LGBTQ+ community, he was elected chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County in 2021. DuPage County is the second-largest voting sector in Illinois. He is also an award-winning writer that has written for such publications as “Patriot Not Partisan” and “DemCast”. He has been a guest speaker and cohost on various radio shows. Ken has worked as a community organizer and served on several boards to usher in an era of social equality and healthcare equality for all.

May is Lupus Awareness Month and we are honored to celebrate another Lupus Warrior. Diagnosed at age 19, Christina Hayes has more than survived her diagnosis but thrived becoming an advocate not only for other Lupus Warriors but for other social justice issues as well. Now in her 30's this mother advocates for paid sick leave with the Mothering Justice organization which has allowed her to tell her story of navigating employment while dealing with Lupus. She founded "The Christina Project" to provide inspiration, comfort and care to patients with Lupus and Lupus related conditions that are hospitalized and their families. Love and support during hospital stays are imperative for healing and recovery which brighten the lives of the Lupus Warriors and their family.  She is also active in and a big supporter of Lupus Detroit - A nonprofit dedicated to eliminating lupus as a health problem through advocacy & service - attending monthly support groups, the annual gala, and annual Lupus Walk. She is another amazing LUPUS WARRIOR

It should come as no surprise that young people given life without the possibility of parole sentences have been disproportionately Black and Brown. James Windell, the author of Sentencing Youth to Life in Prison: Justice Denied is an adjunct faculty member in Criminal Justice, a court clinical psychologist, and has more than 25 years of conducting group therapy with delinquent adolescents. The Supreme Court decisions in Miller v. Alabama and Montgomery v. Louisiana clearly demonstrated that the Court's view of juveniles evolved over decades to reflect advances in our understanding of the unique characteristics of youth and their involvement in juvenile crimes. This book, co-written with Kathy Miliken Boyd, analyzes the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court rulings deeming juvenile life without parole sentences to be cruel and unusual punishment. These Court decisions brought about controversy and resistance in the criminal justice field, while at the same time providing hope for those 2,300 people who never thought they had a chance to experience life as an adult outside prison. By looking in depth at the lives of some of the individuals serving life terms and understanding both the prosecutors who oppose review and resentencing of juvenile lifers and those who are sincerely following the Supreme Court's guidelines, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the issues.

Born and raised in New Orleans, LA Dr, Enchante Franklin is a Forensic Social Work Consultant, Community Advocate, and Author. She is dedicated to the art of prose, storytelling, and poetry through the lens of resilience. ´She served five years as a New Orleans Police Officer during and after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. She earned a Bachelor in Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans and received her two Master's degrees at Southern University in New Orleans. She received her Doctoral degree in Philosophy at the Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University. She did all of this while caring for her mother and grandmother. She is the author of The Blue Lotus Flower which tells her story of resilience-pushing through the traumas of an impoverished, flooded city, facing childhood pain and community violence in the central city of New Orleans. She is dedicated to the art of prose, storytelling, and poetry through the lens of resilience. She currently is Assistant Professor of Social Work College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands and CEO of EnchantedLinks Consulting Firm LLC., a multi-social services consulting firm. After the deaths of her Mother and Grandmother, she began thinking about caregiving and life beyond grief. She shares information and tips from her workshops “Giving the Self Love Energy While Caregiving – The Resilient Women of Color”

At the tender age of ten, Mike Henderson first felt the urge to explore. Charting excursions on a city map each weekend got on the bus and explored another section of Los Angeles. On family vacations, he would hike and camp while dreaming of faraway places. Henderson has traveled to many places nationally and internationally but considers Yosemite National Park not only his most memorable adventure but one of his favorite places. With 20 years as a travel consultant, Henderson is passionate about cultural immersion, outdoor adventures, and historical tours. As founder of the Black & Gay (BAG) Collective, and CEO of BAG Travel, Henderson curates travel adventures for groups of varying sizes for members of the Black LGBTQ+ community. With a background in urban planning, he also desires to share how places function - beyond glamourous travel ads.

Attending the annual Creating Change Conference has been a rite of passage for LGBTQ activists for over 30 years,  We would come together, share ideas, make new friends, catch up with old friends and even find love. What's happened to Creating Change in the time of COVID??? Pivoting to a virtual format in 2021, activists, organizers, and newbies were looking forward to coming together in 2022 once again in New Orleans when the omicron variant of the coronavirus begin showing up in communities around the world. After dealing with the momentary disappointment of having to cancel the in-person conference, the staff went to work reimagining Creating Change and looking forward to 2023 when the conference also include a celebration of The Task Force's 50th anniversary. Communications Director Cathy Renna is a veteran of Creating Change.  She's watched the conference grow not just by the number of participants but in the programming, diversity, and inclusion of varying and new voices in the LGBTQ community. Conference Director Danny Linden is the new kid on the block. He joined the staff in 2021 but is not new to conference organizing and planning.  He has spent much of the past 31 years as a conference and events specialist. Cathy and Danny are here to talk about Creating Change 2022, the shift to Creating Change 365 and the big celebration planned for 2023.

“Alabama Grandson began as a series of letters Rev, Cedrick Bridgeforth wrote to his maternal grandmother. Although she died in 1989, Bridgeforth has fond and profound memories of her presence, the aromas in her kitchen, and the life lessons that rolled effortlessly from her tongue. This story intersperses the lessons taught by his grandmother but learned through the living of his life in search of meaning and purpose through the service of others. A native of Decatur, Alabama Rev. Cedrick Bridgeforth is an ordained minister, author, educator, executive coach, consultant, public speaker, and the founder of 20/20 Leadership Lessons. As a child of the South, a Gay African American, an Air Force Veteran, and Ordained Methodist Minister, Bridgeforth had been a master of hiding in plain sight. In 2015 when he nonchalantly acknowledged his life partner during a public Methodist gathering all kinds of drama broke out. His hope is that by telling his story, others will make connections with their motivations for living and take inventory of spaces and places where they are not being honest about who they are out of fear of rejection, ridicule, or ruin.

Emme Zanotti moved from Michigan's city on the bay, Bay City, to southeast Michigan stepping out and stepping up as a DE&I specialist, community advocate, and political activist. After reaching out to Stand For Trans as a resource and to connect with others in the Transgender community she went on to serve as the board treasurer for many years. She more recently became engaged in politics where her efforts helped flip two key congressional seats in Michigan's 2018 elections. She currently serves as third vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party's LGBT&A Caucus. A big leap forward for transgender representation in the heart of progressive politics in Michigan.  She was recognized for her work by making The Race Relations Task Force of Birmingham's Diversity Honor Roll and her political efforts and rigor helped flip key congressional seats in Michigan's 2018 elections, resulting in her being honored by the Human Rights Campaign, as the state of Michigan's sole awardee for political action at their annual equality convention.  

Roland Leggett is smart, strategic, politically savvy, and a nationally recognized movement leader He's worked as an organizer with the Obama for America campaign, with the Detroit Branch of the ACLU, Equality Michigan, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, and former director of mobility initiatives at MoGo Detroit.  He was a regional political director during the Biden campaign and is currently the movement politics director at Michigan United. Roland is also an outspoken LGBT advocate serving on the LGBTQ and Allies Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party. Through his consultancy firm "Roland Leggett Strategies" he works at building inclusive communities. The personal is still political and no one knows it better than this community activist and political strategist. He shares his thoughts on why staying engaged from the local to national levels has never been more important!!! Redistricting. Midterm elections. What we've learned. What's at stake with Redistricting and the 2022 Midterm election. The personal is still political and no one knows it better.

Tracee McDaniel's personal motto is “Show up and participate for equality.”  She was the first trans person to deliver the keynote speech at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration march and rally. Tracee marched in Washington, DC, and lobbied in support of a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act and increased HIV/AIDS housing. She published “Transitions-Memoirs of a Transsexual Woman”, which chronicled her unordinary life growing up Trans in the South and then eventually in 1990 escaping to Los Angeles, CA to save her life from a domestically violent intimate partner relationship. It also details her evolution working in the corporate world by day and then effortlessly transitioning into her performance artist Alter-Ego by night to make ends meet. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Juxtaposed Center for Transformation which is an advocacy, consulting, and social services referral organization, specifically designed to empower the non-monolithic Trans and Gender Non-Conforming community. Juxtaposed Center's vision is to act as a collective body to provide basic, necessary, and fundamental resources to the Trans community. It is also an anchoring organization for Trans Housing Atlanta Program Inc., which provides supportive and emergency housing resources to homeless and marginalized Trans and gender non-conforming people.

Originally from New Jersey Peirrce “Peach” McCoy now calls Delaware home. She is the LGBTQ Chair for the Central Delaware NAACP.  She not only has a seat at the table, but she wrote the “menu” personally writing and delivering to the organization guidelines for the committee. I Am Me is more than the name of her non-profit organization. For Peirrce “Peach” McCoy "I am me!" has been her life statement expressing her commitment to bringing her full self, unapologetically to everything she does and spreading that gospel to other members of Delaware's LGBTQIA community. I Am Me was created to combat the continuous discrimination LGBTQIA people face in their personal lives, workplaces, and other social settings that can have detrimental effects on their psyche affecting their financial, mental and physical well-being. I Am Me Inc. was formed to offer safe social spaces with programs that uplift and unify the LGBTQ community. Through its Seminars, Workshops, Forums and Events I Am Me builds positive relationships between the LGBTQ+ community and its Allies to educate Delaware and end discrimination.  

Bayard Rustin was an African American leader in social justice movements for civil rights, nonviolence, and gay rights. He worked with on the March on Washington in 1941, to press for an end to racial discrimination in employment. He later organized Freedom Rides, and helped to organize the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Bayard Rustin was gay and, due to criticism over his sexuality, he usually acted as an influential adviser behind the scenes to civil-rights leaders.  As a young activist, cutting my teeth in the civil rights and social justice movements, I did not hear about Bayard Rustin. I felt that I needed to suppress my sexuality in order to be effective in the movement. But then through books, involvement with LGBTQ organizations and the movie “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin” I recognized the importance of bringing my full self to everything I was doing to truly create change. Along the way, I discovered other “Angelic Troublemakers” equally inspired by Rustin's life and doing the work - one being Robt Seda Schreiber, From day one the mission and vision of the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice along with Robt's commitment and passion have been in sync with my core beliefs touching my spirit.

Steph Turner identifies as a trans-spirit individual who is grounded in her own Native American heritage. After coming out in 1993 as transgender, she learned firsthand about needs when she was falsely accused and incarcerated for a crime she did not commit. No consideration was given for her gender identity and she was placed in an all-male facility. Since this experience Steph has felt compelled to transcend political and other divisive activities to deeply connect with all sides to resolve the impacted needs. After earning degrees in Sociology, Anthropology, Counseling and Public Administration she realized these fields exist to find answers our many needs. She went on to found Anankelogy the disciplined study of need. In her book “You Need This: Introducing Anankelogy, the Study of Need” she explains how our actions, beliefs, and thinking all occur after our factual needs. She plans two follow-up books on the subject “We Need This: Introducing Anankelogy Principles and Wisdom” followed by “We Need You: Introducing Anankelogical Defunctions and refunctions.”

Kim Ford is one of those people who always has something to say that is informative, inspirational, and transformative changes. She co-founded Kitchen Table Giving Circle. The non-profit provided philanthropic support to Black/African Descent Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer women-led projects and organizations working to improve the lives of Black/African Descent LBTQ women. After years working in the non-profit sector, she changed directions starting “Mind Body Balance with Kim” providing health and wellness advocacy as well as transformational life coaching, When last we spoke it was at the beginning of the pandemic, her business was developing, she was offering classes online and taking classes to expand her practice using her fitness journey to assist and motivate others to find body and soul balance. And then the pandemic hit. Kim believes each of us moves along our own unique journeys and paths filled with dreams and visions of the lives we want to live. This movement and our interactions with others can help us redefine how we live in community with one another, She shares how the pandemic has been a time to reset and find our own unique journeys and paths filled with dreams and visions of the lives we want to live. From sheltering in place, reemerging from quarantine isolation to adopting a pandemic pet it's a new world, a changing normal and Kim Ford is there for it all!!

As we celebrate and thank our veterans for their service this Veterans Day it is so appropriate that we catch up with past guest and US Air Force Veteran Vanessa Sheridan. So much has happened since we last spoke with our guest Vanessa Sheridan. She has relocated back to her home in Minneapolis after leaving Chicago's Center on Halstead where she served as the organization's Director of Gender Equity and Inclusion. Despite the limitations caused by the pandemic, this respected author and transgender activist continues to provide public outreach and consulting while offering transgender awareness training services nationally. She is the author of “The Complete Guide to Transgender in the Workplace.” The first full length, hard covered book on this topic ever released by a mainstream publisher. She has twice been a national Lambda Literary award finalist for her other books on the transgender community. Vanessa was the first transgender member of the board of directors for the stonewall National Museum and archives.

Nina Kennedy is one of those people that the more you know about her, the more you want to know. Our interview about her book “Practicing For Love: A Memoir” opened the door and today we delve deeper. Nina is intersectionality – a child of the South raised in the shadow of the legendary Fisk Jubilee choir, an African American prodigy in a white world, classically trained in European greats such as Liszt and Rachmaninoff but able to get down in a hip-hop world, a woman in a “man's” world, a poet, an author, a filmmaker, a talk show host and so much more. She's back to share more about her remarkable life. With three more books in the works this will hardly be our last conversation. Her Lambda Literary award book “Practicing for Love: A memoir” was published in 2020. “Practice What You Preach” the second book in this memoir trilogy will be available soon

As the season changes from summer to fall, and we transition into the year-end season of giving here's a playlist of interviews curated from past guests of organizations worthy of your consideration for support with a donation or even as a volunteer. They can all be found on SoundCloud or Blog Talk Radio on the Collections by Michelle Brown station. So, pop in your ear buds, or put on your headphones and listen to the 100+ interviews. You will be inspired by Guests who have come from across the country representing a variety of topics from vegan advocacy, the arts (Musicians/authors/visual artists), disability rights, politics and all points in between. Between now and year-end besides bringing you more interviews from new and old friends We are going to highlight some of the amazing organizations we've gotten to know over the years.

What would it mean to codify Roe vs Wade? Is it time we stop this fight for reproductive rights and pass a law that would affirm a pregnant person's right to an abortion without undue interference? In May, one of nation's strictest abortion measures, banning procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy was signed into law in Texas and opened the door for almost any private citizen to sue abortion providers and others. Women across the country raised their voices in protest over this latest attack on their bodies and prepared for the coming battle in the courts to defend Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to the procedure. With the current number of conservative-leaning justices sitting on the supreme court the possibility that the decision might be overruled is very, very real. On Sunday, October 24th there will be a rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan to protest the recent passing of Senate Bill 8 in Texas and an abortion case being on the upcoming Supreme Court docket. The rally is being hosted by the Lunar Doula Support Network's Lunar Doula Collective. The Collective's mission is to provide compassionate support, free of charge, to individuals experiencing pregnancy loss or termination. This student organization Has a mission to normalize social discourse surrounding reproductive health working through community education and training to advocate for appropriate sexual and reproductive healthcare. The Lunar Doula Collective's Ishi Shukla talks about the issue and the rally which takes place on the University of Michigan Diag in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1-2 PM

How do you go from a casual deck conversation to building an organization that brings support and visibility to the LGBTQIA+ community? How do you plan during a pandemic and host the first-ever PRIDE celebration not in June but in October? Chris Kipp is a member of Macomb County Pride's board. He takes us on the journey from that conversation on Board chair Pil Gilchrist's deck to building support from local municipalities for recognition of June as PRIDE month. He talks about how buy-in from area businesses meant more than putting up a rainbow sticker but a commitment to being welcoming and inclusive after the celebration ended. With covid, planning the event took many twists and turns but now the community is ready to celebrate beginning October 15-17th with events including a pub crawl, outdoor festival, and closing with a drag brunch. Macomb County Pride's mission is to create a supportive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community and to be a resource in Macomb County where the dignity of all people is affirmed and respected.

Pamela E. Alexander is no stranger to Collections by Michelle Brown-Blog Radio. Being of service to community is just who she is and something she instills in all everyone she meets. This Gold Star Mother, honors the life of her son SSGT Vincent J. Bell, supporting other military families and working with her daughter London Bell as part of the Bell Global Justice Institute named in his honor. She served for many years before retiring as the deputy director of the Ruth Ellis Center serving LGBTQ youth in southeastern Michigan and established the “Kofi House: Center for Lesbian and Queer Women & Girls. Her research on the life and achievements of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray introduced may at the Kofi House to this LGBTQ pioneer in civil rights. Retirement has not slowed her down one bit. A born and raised in Macomb, MI she is no working to ensure her hometown and county are diverse and inclusive. Since February 2021 Pamela leads the Northern Macomb County NAACP Branch as president of the chapter. In October 2021 Macomb County will hold its first LGBTQ Pride celebration in downtown Mt. Clemens, MI. Pamela joins us to talk about all of this and the amazing synchronicity that her commitment to social justice brings to everything she touches.

What happens to a PRIDE celebration deferred? Deferred by a pandemic that has cancelled or made most of our community interactions virtual? June was eerily quiet without our celebrations, but our PRIDE didn't diminish, dry up or go away. We just held on to our rainbow flags, marching shoes and even a little glitter to come roaring back for Ferndale Pride this October. Julia Music who was first recruited by Craig Covey and Monica Mills to help organize Ferndale Pride, faced the pandemic challenges head on and pivoted to make this fall's PRIDE celebration memorable as well as safe. You will still see the vendors, sponsors, great entertainment and be welcomed by many smiling volunteers including the recognition of one long term volunteer. Most activities will be held outdoors but the doors of Affirmations Community Center will be open with some special events. Last year was a virtual Pride. This year it's Pride in October. Next year, plans are underway to return to June which means little rest for the goddess/queen of Ferndale Pride Julia Music.

Her name is Jackie Jones and let her tell you about her experience. Most recently, she was a Junior Account Executive at Van Dyke Horn, a Detroit-based public relations firm. At VDH, she worked on local and state-wide initiatives such as Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency, Marathon Petroleum Company, and the City of Detroit's Strategic Neighborhood Fund. Previously, she served as a Public Relations Assistant at Bloom Transformation Center, a wellness center focused on mental health awareness, in downtown Detroit. At the center, she worked with its director and CEO, Dr. Rose Moten, on all media strategies, administrative details, and community engagements. Specifically, she developed the center's annual Sedona retreat, gong meditation events, and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE®) programs. Additionally, she was a Marketing intern at the Museum of African Art in Culture in Portland, ME, and an editorial intern at DBusiness Magazine, where I copy-edited, reported, and published daily content. At DBusiness, she contributed to On the Move, the Tech and Mobility Newsletter, and DBusiness' Daily News. Jackie graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. 

CritterKin is a children's media property that uses stories and project-based learning programs to teach kids social-emotional and core communication skills. It is the brainchild of multimedia storyteller Jena Ball who has 25 years of professional writing and editing experience, 15 years of designing and teaching online courses, 13 years working on immersive learning environments in 3D worlds. Jena has spent 12 years working as the Creative Director for the CritterKin Coalition. The CritterKin Coalition is a community composed of creative professionals, educators, parents, and community members, businesses, and organizations that understand education is a lived experience extending far beyond the classroom. The mission is to make emotional intelligence (EQ) a priority and help each child discover, develop, and share their unique interests and abilities.  Of all the things learned from working on CritterKin these past 10 years, is that it takes a global community to raise our kids. That community needs to be composed of creative professionals, educators, parents, and the community. Even before the pandemic many parents were questioning the quality of education especially in public schools.  Was the focus on “teaching to the test” failing our children? Were standard lesson plans keeping children from being able to think critically? Were their minds being influenced by media images that limit the ability to be empathetic, compassionate and communicate?  

Mary Anne Adams journey began in Mississippi, passed through Michigan but she found her home in Atlanta. She is Federal Housing Commissioner Chair at the East Point housing Authority and President/CEO at The Adams Research Group. But most importantly she is the Founder and Executive Director of Zami NOBLA – The National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging. The organization builds a national base of power centering Black lesbians 40+ through service, advocacy, and community-action research while promoting positive aging through a social justice framework. Although the organization has stopped many of its in-person programs during the pandemic it continues to affirm, empower, and support members by creating new paradigms for conscious and powerful aging with virtual programs including “Slow Your Roll Yoga” the “Zami NOBLA Book Club” a Ukelele Program, and “Purple Thumb Gardening Group.” They've hosted virtual events including arts and comedy shows. Work continues on the rehab of the Biggers House, a house that will provide affordable housing for a lesbian and provides a community garden in the back yard. The pandemic didn't stop the work just took it to a whole different level.

The Legacy Project was inspired the first time the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was shown at the National March on Washington for LGBTQ Civil Rights in 1987 to answer the question “Who would remember those who came before us when we were gone?” Some 34 years later The Legacy Project under the leadership of Executive Director Victor Salvo continues to illuminate and affirm the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people to honor their experiences and accomplishments; to collect and preserve their contributions to world history and culture; to educate and inspire the public and young people, and to assure an inclusive and equitable future. Some of the activities like the Legacy Wall, a one-of-a-kind, digitally-interactive, traveling exhibit has had to be shelved, tours of the Legacy Walk have resumed with smaller groups and social distancing in place. The Legacy Project Education Initiative was launched in conjunction with partners at Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, and Equality Illinois. It offers a new search portal to help teachers create a classroom experience which meets the requirements of Illinois's new Inclusive Curriculum Law

Linda Brincat is the co-founder of Get Out and Live and Get Out Bike, which goes on biking trips around the area. She is also the moderator of the group Artistic Women's Entertainment. Her passion however is singing.  She has been singing since her youth.  She had a 6th-grade teacher who loved choral music and taught her students to sing in rounds and in harmony. She also sang in both her high school and college choirs. Linda now sings a soprano as in the LGBTQ and Ally choir Sing Out Detroit after singing for many years with the One Voice Chorus. Since its founding, the inclusive chorus, which includes LGBTQ+ singers as well as allies, has become a community mainstay, performing at many Pride events and hosting an annual spring and winter concert. Sing Out Detroit is a mixed chorus (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) for LGBTQ+ and Allies. They welcome singers with varied musical skills. The chorus fosters community, joy, and fun! Sing Out Detroit is a member of GALA Choruses, a national organization for LGBTQ+ choruses. It is a 501(c)(3) organization eligible for grants. It  is a diverse, inclusive chorus that provides a supportive environment for LGBTQ people and Allies to share the joy of musical performance.  The Vision is to uplift and inspire others with our musical performances to bring about positive social change. Get Out and Live, Get Out and Bike, and Sing Out Detroit all really represent the entire LGBTQ community. Members of the LGBTQ community, allies and friends attend the concerts and the 20-mile bike rides.

Robert Zurenko is a professional artist currently living/working in the Metro-Detroit area. He has multiple degrees in art and has spent his entire career in the creative field, making art, educating people, and trying to make art experiences more accessible for everyone. His passion for nature and harmony drives his work, and he loves connecting the world back to itself through people and art.  He was one of the judges at the 2019 Pontiac Creative Arts Center's Kaleidoscope Exhibit. Zurenko's work revolves around the intersection of ideas embedded in gender identity, sexuality, popular culture, and the context in which they are presented. In 2020 his mural on a private fence in Hazel Park, MI was featured on the local news for bringing diverse members of the community together. The work on this fence, which glows in the dark, is only one part of a broader perspective he celebrates with every brushstroke and every color blending paint and artistry. He hosts an annual summer camp for trans youth with participants coming from across the country. Zurenko has participated in many exhibits locally including the Trans Day of Artivism and Gender X Show at Afffimations, the NSO Detroit Man In the City Event, Hamtramck Neighborhood Arts Fest, and the Breaking Borders Fine Art Show and Harmony & The Cosmic Connection show at Tangent Gallery. When not teaching, judging or making art on Canvas, Robert is making personal art as a tattoo artist. Tattoos are a world tradition that have cropped up in every single part of the world from a time. before we could even know it, you know. Zurenko believes it is one of those practices that has a deep history and a wide world history, which is one thing that he loves about it.

Growing up on Detroit's northwest side C. Imani Williams loved learning about Black culture. Books, cheerleading, softball, and was involved in other community-based activities. While living in Detroit Imani was the first full-time employee of the Ruth Ellis Center. She was a founder of PFLAG Family Reunion — Detroit Chapter and served on the board of Black Pride Society. Her background includes work in Guidance and Counseling, Communications/Journalism, and Creative-Writing. She has written for several publications including Michigan's Between the Lines Newspaper and a weekly column Queer Voices from an Urban Bush Sista! Now living in Las Vegas, NV she is determined to live her purpose as a Healing Artist, she has used a combination of Holistic Creative Arts including yoga, meditation, mindfulness, poetry, essays, and jewelry design to empower others   Her “Standing on United Love – Soul Project provides a safe space where community members can explore the issues of the day affecting Black communities including Mental illness in Black communities, Healing from Childhood Trauma, Sex On The Table: Decoding Black Sexual Politics, and Queering Black Spaces. Imani's work pays homage to the ancestors and elders who paved the way while she works towards a Black art-infused better tomorrow.  This is the legacy she wants to leave not just for her community but especially for her children and grandchildren.