Collections By Michelle Brown

Harmonica Sunbeam is an entertainer, mother. activist, role model, and Drag Queen. She made her thrilling debut at an NYC drag ball nearly three decades ago when she walked in a category called "Butch Queen, First Time Up in Drag at a Ball" and won. Now she's a part of the Drag Queen Story Hour representing North Jersey and New York. Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH began in San Francisco  Michelle Tea in 2015 and has since exploded across the nation and overseas. Harmonica responded to an open audition and took the training to be a storyteller. Her first Drag Queen Story Hour was in the library in New York City with 75 children in attendance and was covered by The New York Times. In 2018 Harmonica was interviewed as part of HBO’s The Studio celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Drag Queen Story Hour is trying to raise a new generation of children who along with their families and communities are accept

Zoë Flowers is healing with her hands and words. She began her career in Atlanta, Georgia where she served as the Public Awareness/Training and Membership Coordinator for the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. With more than 20 years in the gender-based violence movement, she works nationally and internationally on the issues of domestic and sexual violence. She has appeared on National Public Radio, WOVN Chicago, spoken at Yale University, Springfield College, Smith College, and Bowie State University. In 2012, she founded Soul Requirements Inc. a consulting business that merges social justice and holistic healing. Soul Requirements healing services utilize meditation, visualization, reiki, and intuitive coaching to increase awareness, reduce stress, and to promote relaxation and creativity. She currently facilitates individual and group healing sessions, retreats, workshops, and online courses for clients and students from New York to Ecuador. Her healing contributions were evaluated by Georgetow

Through "The Legacy Walk" in Chicago (the world's only outdoor LGBTQ history museum and Chicago's newest Historic Landmark); "The Legacy Project Education Initiative" (a free, downloadable resource); and "The Legacy Wall" (a traveling interactive exhibit) – the award-winning Legacy Project is committed to challenging the social and cultural marginalization of LGBTQ people. Victor Salvo was Chicago Chairperson for the 1987 National March on Washington Committee. This committee led an estimated 5000 Chicagoans to the nation’s capital. THE LEGACY PROJECT was inspired the first time the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was shown at this National March. In Part two of our interview with Victor Salvo, cofounder and executive director of The Legacy Project in Chicago he will share what is ahead for the Legacy Project as it enters its second decade, how the Project has been impacted by the COVID -19 Pandemic and how individuals can visit and support the Legacy Project and Walk The Legacy Project would have been c

Part One of our interview with Victor Salvo, cofounder and executive director of Chicago's Legacy Project. THE LEGACY PROJECT was inspired the first time the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was shown at the National March on Washington for LGBT Civil Rights in 1987. Victor Salvo led a group of 5,000 Chicagoans to Washington DC to participate in the march and view the Quilt. The first "National Coming-Out Day" was also celebrated on October 11th of that year. Inspired by these vents, the idea of a Legacy Project to tell the stories of LGBTQ people began. Chicago’s Legacy Project illuminates and affirms the lives of 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. The Legacy Project would have been celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the plans for this year’s celebration and the proje

The original idea was to organize a party that would promote the annual pride exhibit for  Casa Frela Art Gallery. Carmen Neely with Lawrence Rodriguez built that original idea into what would later be called “Harlem Pride.” As the idea of a Harlem Pride celebration began to spread, they decided to expand the idea, especially after learning that there had never been a formal public celebration in Harlem. Since 2010, Harlem Pride has expanded to include community forums, workshops, networking events, and other community outreach activities. Neely designed the original logo and began wearing a t-shirt with the design at a popular poetry night. The Harlem Pride logo is a symbolic representation of the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building, the tallest building in Harlem. The very first Harlem Pride Day Celebration was held on Saturday, June 26, 2010, on the block of W. 119th Street, between Lenox and Fifth Avenues.  Harlem Pride is always held during the last full weekend in June. Harlem Pride's mission is

In the greater metropolitan Atlanta area, there are about six or seven Unitarian Universalist congregation, but they are all in predominantly white areas of town. In 2018, Rev. Duncan E. Teague with others committed to moving forward with black lives of Unitarian universalism, and building communities, centered in black communities and communities of color founded the Abundant LUUv Congregation - A new Unitarian Universalist congregation in the West End neighborhood of Atlanta. Abundant LUUv’s beliefs are diverse and inclusive embracing diverse teachings from Eastern and Western religions and philosophies. It is committed to continuing the work of healing communities and is working with Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health and the School of Nursing to assist with research to inform faith-based HIV/AIDS prevention programs from the perspective of Black gay and bisexual men. Before accepting his calling to ministry, Rev. Teague had an established career in HIV/AIDS education, advocacy, and research coordi

The book “Women Rapping Revolution: Hip Hop Community Building in Detroit” is described as an attempt to illuminate the important role that women have played in mobilizing a grassroots response to political and social pressures at the heart of the city’s ongoing renewal and development. Detroit, MIchigan, has long been recognized as a center of musical innovation and social change. Authors Rebekah Farrugia, Professor of Media Studies in the Department of Communication, Journalism, and Public Relations and Kellie Hay  Professor of Cultural Studies in the Department of Communication, Journalism, and Public Relations, both at Oakland University located in Rochester, Michigan, spent seven years in the community with The Foundation, a Detroit-based women-centered hip hop collective. Their fieldwork in writing this book shows us how crucial it is for us to engage with outside cultures with a strong level of cultural competency and authenticity. The Detroit hip-hop women trailblazers they speak and build relations

Right about now, each year metro-Detroit's LGBTQ community is getting ready to celebrate PRIDE. Ferndale PRIDE usually kicks things off, but this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic Ferndale Pride has tentatively been rescheduled for September 26th  Julia Music is the Executive Director of Ferndale Pride.  She has been active in the Ferndale community since she was 16 years of age. Music served on the Ferndale Community Foundation, ran the Taste of Ferndale fundraiser, and helped start Ferndale Pride, In 2019 she was unanimously appointed to fill a temporary seat on the Ferndale City Council.  Ferndale Pride gave $20,000 to the Ferndale Community Foundation and $2,000 each to Affirmations, Gender-identity Network Alliance, Matrix MAC Health, Transgender Detroit, and Transgender Michigan. Since its beginning, Ferndale Pride has returned almost $200,000 to the community She will talk about the history of Ferndale Pride, her love for this metro-Detroit suburb, and what is ahead for this year's celebration a

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic Lupus Detroit’s main fundraising events – The Lupus Detroit Brunch in May and the Walk for Warriors in the fall have been canceled but the work continues. Sharon Harris, Lupus Detroit Founder/Executive Director, talks about how the organization continues to provide support for warriors including virtual meetings and webinars, and introduces another phenomenal Lupus Warrior Kalyn Risker Fahie. Kalyn is not only a Lupus Warrior but also a survivor of domestic violence. After escaping her abusive relationship she went on to found SAFE - Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment - to equip survivors of domestic violence with the appropriate financial tools and resources needed to enable women to leave or recover from the economic portion of domestic violence. In 2015 she married and moved to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Island but continued to run SAFE long-distance with the assistance of a group of dedicated volunteers.  In 2016 she joined The Virgin Island Domestic Violence and

Tameka Ramsey is the owner and principal associate at T Ramsey and Associates. She’s also a mother and grandmother. Her eldest is an essential worker who with his wife are on the frontline during this COVID-19 epidemic. At home, she has a daughter going through the most unusual of senior high school year and a son growing up in this uncertain normal of homeschooling and social distancing. Family comes first. If she could she would have one big home where her family could stay together building memories and legacy. You might say she is a renaissance woman with an eye on her community as she builds that future legacy for her family. T. Ramsey & Associates has been in business since 2015. It provides services to small businesses, startups, and nonprofit organizations. The office is located in Pontiac, MI, but their clients span across the United States and abroad. They work closely with a diverse group of clients on achieving their mission, while assisting them in growing in capacity. Tameka is a national

Originally from Chicago, as a youth, L. Michael Gipson lived briefly in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he excelled as an honor student. After returning to the United States when he was 16, Gipson came out to his family and was subsequently kicked out of his home. Gipson describes himself as a Street Kid Made Good. Situationally homeless at age 16, the trajectory of his life changed dramatically following a chance meeting with two dynamic Black doctoral candidates in Chicago. They saw his potential taking him under their wings and mentoring him. The rest, as they say, is history. L Michael Gipson is clearly a master of all trades! With his warm, humorous storytelling, you’re in for a ride as we follow Michael’s colorful journey from a young adult shaped by two life-changing mentors to becoming a life-changing mentor himself. Gipson is deeply appreciated and respected as a blogger who publishes a popular daily microblog, “The Gipson Gazette,” where he and over 6000 followers talk about film, music, culture, polit

April is National Poetry Month. It was established in 1996  as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. In a special crossover event Collections .and SAGE Metro Detroit team up to close out  National Poetry Month together. SAGE METRO DETROIT’s Executive Director, Angie Perone talks about the organization's work not only in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties but throughout the state. SAGE Metro Detroit was launched in October 2015. It was formerly known as The LGBT Older Adult Coalition which was originally formed in 2010. It is working to establish effective programs and services for LGBTQ older adults.  SAGE USA is America's oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the LGBTQ community focusing on the issue of LGBTQ Ageing. According to its mission statement, "SAGE leads in addressing issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) aging. In partnership with its constituents and allies, SAGE works to achie

Chief Activist of the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice Robt Seda-Schrieber continues to find ways to serve the LGBTQ community. Like many nonprofits during these days of social-distancing, quarantines, and shutdowns the Center has had to shut its doors, canceling its programs and suspending services. Another unintended consequence is the loss of funds not just in donations but from cancellation of training the Center provides to local businesses, organizations, and schools. It is a double whammy! The Center is surviving while it continues to provide for the community while its doors are closed,  Organizations like the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice are showing up for us, providing virtual space for gathering in the Princeton, New Jersey community like so many others across the country. Weeknights the Cheif Activist Robt Seda Schreiber reaches out to the community virtually with the BRCSJ  Social Justice Power Hour. Programs include "Drag Queen Monday," Queer Yoga on Tuesday, an Open Mic as w

Elizabeth Crenshaw returns to talk about life in Pontiac today as a journalist, community activist, and owner of Yaktown Yoga. In this “new normal” we may find ourselves experiencing a whirlwind of emotions: fear, hopelessness, gratitude, and confusion. Crenshaw shares her sage advice for coping during this unsettling time, shedding light on ways we can maintain our sense of emotional stability and community. She believes It's time to tune into ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. Yaktown Yoga provides Community-based yoga in Pontiac, Auburn Hills, and surrounding communities in the Metropolitan Detroit area.  Its mission is to reach out into the community and make yoga accessible to EVERYONE to create a SAFE and INCLUSIVE space for students, and to bring HEALING to underserved communities.   

In this time of COVID-19 the Mayor of Ypsilanti Michigan Beth Bashert wears many hats. She is a longtime community activist, a parent/grandparent, and spouse of Lisa Marshall Bashert. She is an out and proud leader in the LGBTQIA community. She works in sales at an Ann Arbor Auto Dealership and she is the Mayor of Ypsilanti, Michigan.  Ypsilanti is a city in Washtenaw County in Michigan, perhaps best known as the home of Eastern Michigan University. A In these days of COVID-19 she is right at the heart of many decisions impacting not just her family and employment but the lives of her friends, community, and constituency as well. How are Beth and her family handling the constraints of social isolation/distancing? What are her observations as someone whose employment has been directly impacted? How is it affecting members of the LGBTQ community? And how, as an elected official, is she leading in this time of crisis. Compassionate, community governance in the days of a global pandemic - Beth shares many insi

As a Health Wellness Advocate / Transformational Coach Kim Ford uses her fitness journey to assist and motivate others to find body and soul balance. Kim believes that we already have everything we need to get to live our life with power, purpose, clarity, and intention. As so many face the challenges of isolation due to the COVID-19 epidemic Kim shares how this can be a time to reset and find our own unique journeys and paths filled with dreams and visions of the lives we want to live. 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 not only through exercise, yoga, and meditation but our interactions with others can help us redefine how we live in community with one another, She has over 20 years’ experience working with grassroots, community-based, and national nonprofit organizations. Based in New York, Her work has been intergenerational, has crossed boundaries and been pioneering. Kim helps others along those paths as

Johnson calls both Saginaw and Kalamazoo, Michigan home. She has been a public scholar teaching at Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She was one of the co-founders and Executive Directors of Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative in Kalamazoo. And every Saturday morning as DJ Disobedience she hosts Radio "Slip Back Soul" on Kalamazoo’s WIDR 89.1 FM. She formed Playgrown in 2003 with an eye on creating play spaces and experiences for teens and adults. Playgrown creates accessible intergenerational play spaces and exercise opportunities that provide transformative principles of play for populations of play-deprived teens and adults. Playgrown partnered with play organizers like interplay to create spaces and generate experiences in existing places to bring people together to play across age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicities, and physical abilities. She applied for and received an Arcus Center for

Famika Edmond is a Senior Public Health Educator for the HIV/STI Prevention Division of Detroit Health Department. As a child, her mother brought Famika and her siblings to Michigan from New York. When her family found themselves homeless, Famika signed out of high school and went to work to help take care of the family. Six months later, after her family was able to get housing, she went back to school and received her GED. One of her goals was to attend a four-year college. She ended up getting accepted to four different colleges. Famika attended Eastern Michigan University, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration. She also earned her Master’s in Health Administration and is returning for a second Masters in Public Health. Famika realized the need for women to have a safe space to be able to express themselves and be supported by other women. She founded and created ‘For the Love of H.E.R. (Healing, Empowerment, Resilience), which is a five-week workshop in which partic

Dree Cooper's hood feminism is a throwback to a very old concept in the black community when women not only raised their families, they nourished entire ecosystems of neighbors and kin. She makes her home in an area of Detroit some call “Prostitute Row” but she calls it home, her neighborhood. She looks out for the elders, the children, and yes, the sex workers providing food, clothing shelter and love to all who cross her path. Also, an animal lover, Dree has rescued at least 300 dogs and probably as many cats. Dree is a water rights activist who believes every citizen should have access to clean, affordable water. She has lived without access to water when a landlord didn’t pay the water bill and she couldn’t afford to move. This experience fuels her fight to stop other families from being denied access to water for their families. She defines her activism as hood feminism because she cares about people who are of color, nonbinary, ghetto, rachet, homeless, disabled, mentally ill, trans, the people who

Danielle Hall aka Passion the Lioness. Danielle is a poet, Model, Actress, and Mentor. Through her poetry and work as a model/actress, she empowers women to love themselves just as they are. Passion the Lioness pushes back against societal images of “what a woman should be/look like” with her message of body positivity. Danielle has worked as a model for four years. She has done runway and print work and has been published in several magazines. Danielle also writes and performs poetry. Recently Danielle has been getting into acting as well. She is very passionate about everything she does and loves inspiring other people especially young women She started modeling because for a while she felt lost in life. She wasn't confident about herself and began to lose hope. She felt like she didn't belong in this world. Modeling gave her confidence. Now she is not only helping herself but helps others.   Danielle's goal is to be known worldwide, to not only be a pretty face but to make a difference. She feels that i