Dr. Larry Kidd,   Board Member

It is hard to believe that it has been more than five years since a few brothers got together to discuss the ideas around establishing a more inclusive community, for black gay men in the Coachella Valley.  In fact, it was 2017 when meetings started  to  collect  more feedback from brothers in the community and it was consistent there were so many who felt isolated.   It was a resounding yes that we should do something to address the situation.  It has been remarkable what has transpired since that time.

 

We set out to establish Brothers of the Desert as a 501(c) 3 non-profit, approved in 2020.   I am proud to have been one of the inaugural board members voted in by the membership along with others to lead.    My primary role as a board member has been to manage development of the governance and structure for our organization and its maintenance.  It has been a great experience working alongside other board members, each having taken on specific responsibilities and overlapping at times to help out wherever needed.  I have enjoyed the collaboration with board members, working as a team hand in hand to respond to our members needs and strengthening our organizations' position in the community.

 

During these past years the organization has seen;  our relationships with allies grow, partnerships with other organizations expand, sponsorships for our various activities and events increase, initiate scholarship and educational opportunities and established annual signature events.   I as many others in our organization have benefited personally as a result of the creation of Brothers of the Desert; making new friends, broadening  horizons and   becoming more engaged in the community at large.

 

As my tenure on the board is nearing the end I look back and feel extremely grateful to have been able to serve.   While much has been achieved, I have no doubt that Brothers of the Desert along with our allies  will continue to excel and advance the goal of creating an environment where all can thrive and live their best lives.  

 

As I move to new endeavors in my professional and personal life it is my desire to continue to contribute as a member of Brothers of the Desert.  My commitment to supporting efforts such as the partnership with OneFuture Coachella Valley which I really enjoy, remains. I encourage members to consider opportunities to serve on the Board as openings become available. As it has been for me I know it will be rewarding, so do consider inquiring to learn more, also encourage others as well who you think would be good candidates.

 

Best wishes,

Please attend the next meeting of Barbershop: A Black Men's Space for Honest Talk about Wellness, designed to encourage open and honest conversation. The free monthly meetings are inclusive, welcoming the full spectrum of Black men each month: gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and straight allies. The discussion topics are determined by the group facilitated by Stuart Huggins and Will Dean. Past attendance discussed what it means to have a healthy sex life and whether you are having one, as well as dealing with prostate cancer, meetings begin with a meet and greet with dinner that begins at 5:30 pm and the discussion group starts at 6:00 pm. To register to attend the meetings and get the location by visiting www.Brothersofthedesert.org/events for questions contact Jax Kelly at jaxkelly@lkaps.org

I had the privilege of attending the State of the Black Inland Empire virtually on Saturday, October 5. While Rev. Al Sharpton was scheduled to speak, he could not make it due to the recent passing of his father. The event was hosted by Mark Philpart (image above), the Executive Director of the California Black Freedom Fund—a landmark initiative with a budget of $100 million over five years designed to empower Black-led organizations and movements in the fight against systemic and institutional racism.

 

The keynote address was delivered by the Honorable Dr. Corey Jackson, the assembly member recognized at our last wellness summit in Palm Springs. Dr. Jackson emphasized the importance of understanding the global conditions affecting Black people and called for greater interest in our ancestry, urging us to harness our collective strength in exploring our ancestral homelands. I particularly valued Dr. Jackson's land acknowledgment, which underscored the need to respect Indigenous peoples and highlighted the parallels between our struggles.

 

This event was crucial as it tackled the persistent issues stemming from structural racism, which results in significant disparities in health, wealth, and opportunity for many communities of color. The California Black Freedom Fund aims to equip communities like ours with the resources necessary to sustain our important work. Discussions focused on health disparities and educational attainment among Black individuals in our communities.

 

Dr. Kim Tabori from USC provided an informative environmental scan filled with data key to our ongoing efforts. She shared several important statistics, including that the Inland Empire (IE) has the third-largest Black population in California and has seen a job growth rate of 271%. Unfortunately, many of these jobs are low-paying and fail to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Black residents. The median age of Black residents in the IE is 36, indicating a relatively youthful demographic. The poverty rate for Black individuals in the IE is 22%, compared to just 8% for white residents. While homeownership rates in the IE are relatively strong, many renters face rising rents that hinder their ability to build financial wealth. 

Additionally, the digital divide in the IE has widened since the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting students' capacity to engage fully in self-guided learning.

 

Health issues such as asthma and lung disease were also discussed, posing risks to those who may be undiagnosed or unable to access advanced medical care. Alarming statistics regarding infant mortality rates for Black women were shared, indicating troubling outcomes regardless of their economic, educational, or social status. Furthermore, there are worrisome signs of White Flight in the IE, which could present both opportunities and challenges for the community.

 

The day wrapped up with a panel discussion featuring Felicia Jones, Managing Director of the Black Equity Collective/Social Good Solutions*. Ms. Jones stressed the significance of her transformative work and encouraged everyone to seize opportunities for empowerment and not leave any power untapped.

 

This event is held annually, and I invite members, visitors, and allies who are interested to connect with us at membershipsupport@brothersofthedesert.org. I have additional data to share and can provide contact information for those wishing to donate or get involved in the collective.

 

*Disclosure: Brothers of the Desert is a grant recipient of the Black Equity Fund 2023.

 

 

This month our monthly membership meeting will be about Real Talk, Real Health held at the Mizell Center 480 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, Saturday, November 9th from 9:00am-12noon. Make your reservation at www.Brothersofthedesert.org/events

The monthly lunch social will take place at Escena immediately following the Real Talk, Real Health, Speaker Series.

 

You do not have to attend the speaker series to attend the luncheon, just RSVP and be there by 12:30pm. It's always a lot of fun.

 

The Cash and Carry Lunch is Saturday, November 9th at 12:30pm Escena 1100 Clubhouse View Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262

 

Make your reservation with David Maurice Jones (Davidmaurice.jones@gmail.com) prior to Wednesday, November 6th we need to let the restaurant know how many are coming.

Brothers of the Desert is conducting our 6th annual wellness summit focusing on Black gay men and our allies in the Coachella Valley and beyond in-person on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, at the new Riviera Resort Hotel and Spa in Palm Springs from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.

 

Living authentically and being confident in expressing yourself is tied to overall health and well-being and can be challenged and supported by several factors. It is important for us in this moment to reflect on how we best find and live in our truth. “The Power of Authenticity” is the theme of our summit. Join us as we offer the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of health and wellness experts. 

 

The one-day event will feature inspiring keynote presentations and innovative workshops on a range of topics, such as spirituality, relationships, mental health, aging considerations, racism, physical health, communication, healthy sex, and creative expression as a means of healing. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

The summit begins with a meet-and-greet at 8:30 AM and the program will start promptly at 9:00 AM. Participants will be able to choose to attend concurrent workshops at three different times during the day and meet and connect with new people. Lunch will be provided, along with raffle prizes and entertainment. Space is limited, and registration is required. A donation of $25 is suggested and any amount given will be appreciated.

 

The entire speaker line-up for 2025 will be revealed in the coming months. We can announce that we have New York Times best-selling author of All Boys Aren’t Blue, George M. Johnson as a keynote speaker and returning host, film director Nathan Hale-Williams.

 

Past speakers have included Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, public health expert, Greg Millett, Bishop Yvette Flunder, Dr Leo Moore, psychiatrist Dr. Curley Bonds, and creative artists including Alton Fitzgerald White, Nhojj and Lorenzo Taylor.

 

 

James Baldwin once said, ‘Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.’ As a Black, Disabled person, these words resonate deeply with me because the intersecting challenges of ableism and racism are often left unaddressed. If we don’t confront them, how can we expect real change? In conversations around disability, we often focus on the physical, structural, and social barriers that disabled people face. But for many people of color with disabilities, there’s an additional layer of difficulty that isn’t always discussed: navigating both ableism and racism simultaneously.

 

These two forms of discrimination don’t exist in isolation—they intersect and amplify each other, creating unique challenges for disabled people of color. While ableism seeks to marginalize people based on their disabilities, racism adds another layer of exclusion, making it difficult for individuals to find spaces where they feel fully seen and supported.

I have personally felt the weight of both racism and ableism in various aspects of my life. There have been countless times when I didn’t feel “Black enough” for one space or felt “too disabled” for another. I’ve even been told that I wasn’t disabled enough to qualify for services, which made me feel invisible in the very systems that are supposed to support individuals like me.

 

Navigating healthcare as a person of color with a disability can be particularly challenging. Medical professionals may overlook my concerns because of implicit biases related to both my race and disability. This means that my experience is not always taken seriously, and sometimes, I’ve had to fight for the care that I deserve.

Additionally, the mental health challenges faced by people of color with disabilities are often compounded by both racism and ableism. According to recent data, Black individuals with disabilities are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health issues, such as major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, compared to their white counterparts. However, the lack of culturally competent care and the stigma surrounding mental health in communities of color often mean that these issues go unaddressed. This results in greater feelings of invisibility and neglect in systems that are supposed to support us.

 

Similarly, advocacy spaces often overlook the intersection of race and disability. When racism is left out of the conversation, the voices of disabled people of color like myself are erased, leaving us unsupported. Advocacy that only focuses on ableism without considering race doesn’t fully address the barriers we face. And it’s not just professional or healthcare settings where these challenges arise—community spaces can be isolating as well. I have felt out of place in both disability and Black communities. Racial biases within the disability community make it hard for people like me to feel fully included. On the flip side, some racial or cultural communities may not fully understand or accommodate the needs of their disabled members, further alienating those of us who live at the intersection of race and disability.

 

As the upcoming election draws near, I’ve become even more aware of how deeply these intersecting issues affect me, and many others, in every aspect of life. The policies we vote for directly impact our healthcare, the services we rely on, and the way we are treated in society. The intersection of ableism and racism is often overlooked in political conversations, and it’s critical that we fight for candidates and policies that acknowledge and address these dual barriers.

 

The first step toward real change is recognizing how ableism and racism intersect and addressing both simultaneously. We must create inclusive environments where disabled people of color are seen and supported in all aspects of their identity. This means dismantling systems that ignore the intersectionality of these experiences, whether it’s healthcare, advocacy, or community spaces. We can’t address one form of discrimination without acknowledging the other—our systems need to be rebuilt to value all parts of who we are.

 

 

 

At the Mizell Center (480 S Sunrise Way, Palm Springs)

 

Brothers of the Desert is excited to present our Saturday, November 9th speaker series with keynote speaker Dr. Leo Moore, REAL Talk, REAL Health, a Wellness Summit preview.

 

The speaker series begins with a meet-and-greet at 9:00 AM and the program starts promptly at 9:30 AM. Guest will be able to hear an open discussion and participate in a question-and-answer session hosted by Icon City/Anye Elite and featuring speaker Private Chef Betty Berrysmith on how to have a healthier food lifestyle, and exercise expert Chad String in how exercise relates to a healthy lifestyle. You will have a chance to ask questions related to creating a healthier lifestyle. This will be followed by a special presentation from Dr. Leo Moore, called REAL TALK, REAL HEALTH.

 

Connect with new people and old friends.  In the morning coffee , juice, pastries will be provided, and this is a free event, however registration is required.
 

A donation to Brothers of the Desert is encouraged and any amount given will be accepted and appreciated.

Brothers of the Desert is hosting another spectacular talent night and fundraiser Friday, December 13th at Boozehounds Palm Springs, 2080 North Palm Canyon Drive. Our "Brothers Do Drag." Come see us "Lip Sync" and entertain you all night long, please let our host Wes Rankins know you're coming by purchasing your tickets.

 

Thanksgiving. For some, it’s a warm and fuzzy scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting—family gathered around a table laden with turkey, stuffing, and enough side dishes to feed a small country. For others, the reality of Thanksgiving may be less like Rockwell and more like a rerun of Survivor. You’re just trying to make it through the evening without being voted off the island.

 

For many in the LGBTQ+ community, Thanksgiving can stir up a unique mix of emotions. It’s that time of year when conversations can get awkwardly political, or worse, turn into unsolicited interrogations of your personal life (“So...when are you getting married?”). And if your relationship with your biological family is strained or non-existent, the holidays can feel more isolating than festive.

 

That’s where chosen family comes in. The beauty of community, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals, is that we get to build our own families. We create spaces where we’re seen, accepted, and loved for exactly who we are—no code-switching required. And when it comes to Thanksgiving, these chosen families are the true heroes, turning what could be a lonely day into a celebration of connection.

 

While turkey and stuffing are nice, the true meaning of Thanksgiving isn’t the food. It’s about gratitude. It’s about being thankful for the people who lift us up, even when we’re down, and who bring light and love into our lives. That’s the magic of chosen family. Whether we’re hosting a full-blown feast or just grabbing drinks and toasting to survival, the simple act of gathering is a reminder that we’re not alone.

 

So this Thanksgiving, let’s celebrate the families we’ve built and the spaces we’ve created for ourselves. And hey, if your biological family wants to join in? Great. If not? Even better—more stuffing for us.

 

No matter how you spend your Thanksgiving this year, know that you always have a seat at our table. We are your community, your chosen family, and we’re grateful to have you.

 

Now, pass the cranberry sauce. We’ve got stories to share and Beyoncé songs to butcher. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

1-Nov – Kyle Stevenson

4-Nov – Osmenali Ali

10-Nov – Jim Moore

14-Nov – Jonathan Goldman

15-Nov – Mark Hern

22-Nov – Ruth Debra

26-Nov – Lawrence Friedmann

27-Nov – Stephanie Belgacem

28-Nov – Michael Henderson