Arts & Entertainment Joshua Alston Arts & Entertainment Joshua Alston

The Trial of Kaytranada

When Grammy-winning producer Kaytranada faced online backlash over his dating preferences, it spotlighted the complex pressures Black men face regarding who they date. Writer, Joshua Alston examines how public policing of private lives not only flattens individual identity but also risks harming the very communities seeking greater representation.

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Article, HIV Deion Scott Hawkins, PhD Article, HIV Deion Scott Hawkins, PhD

Bridging The Ivory Tower: Spotlighting Significant HIV Research

As an academic, I was aware of numerous groundbreaking studies and scientific advancements related to HIV. Yet, even those actively involved in HIV advocacy outside academia were largely unaware of this research. This urgency drives me to bridge the gap between research and practice, to ensure that the brilliance of research is not confined to the Ivory Tower. 

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Everyday Heroes, Article, Reckoning Profile Joseph Williams Everyday Heroes, Article, Reckoning Profile Joseph Williams

Atlanta Therapist Launches Online Community To Promote Black Mental Health

Atlanta psychotherapist Dr. Ed Garnes wears more hats than a pub coat rack. Healer. Educator. Community activist. Writer. Podcaster.

Despite such varied, complex interests, Garnes says his professional goal is quite simple. He wants to demolish the trope that Black people — specifically, Black men — don’t look after their mental health. He wants to make therapy cool.

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Article, Journal Kiese Laymon Article, Journal Kiese Laymon

Letter From Home

I do not want to disappoint God, Mississippi, or home with this letter, but I have to disappoint God, Mississippi, and home with this letter. I am currently succumbing to evil.

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Article, Education Deion Scott Hawkins, PhD Article, Education Deion Scott Hawkins, PhD

Creating Safe Spaces for Black Queer Youth in Schools: You Don’t Have to Do It All, But You Should Do Something

As a Black queer teacher with over 10+ years of teaching across various cultures, including in the Midwest, East Coast, Appalachia, and at an HBCU in the South,  I wanted to provide a road map/examples of how teachers of all sorts can intentionally create spaces where Black queer students thrive. 

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Education, Article Deion Scott Hawkins, PhD Education, Article Deion Scott Hawkins, PhD

What We Missed In The Moonlight: Chiron’s Journey and the Unchecked School-To-Prison Pipeline For Black Queer Students

Instead, it was a post that read “They’re having a best gay movie off” and it featured two films - Call Me By Your Name and Red, White & Royal Blue. Individuals, particularly Black queer men like myself, were stunned as the film Moonlight, which won an Oscar, was glaringly absent from the discussion (a topic for another day).

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Article, Family Deion Scott Hawkins, PhD Article, Family Deion Scott Hawkins, PhD

One Step Forward & Two Steps Back: Unpacking the Heteronormative Barriers to Gay Men Having Children

While it is important to highlight fatherhood and those who shepherd their children into adult life, we frequently forget to ask a critical question: who gets the opportunity (and privilege) to be a father if desired? For many men who identify as queer, there is a delta between wanting a child and having one.

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