I’ve called Palm Springs home for almost seven years now, after moving here from Long Beach, and before that, Oakland. Each city has shaped me in its own way, but Palm Springs has truly become my community.

 

By day, I work as a Tax Operations Specialist, handling withholding and unemployment taxes for companies. Outside of work, I’ve been a proud member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for nine years, where I go by the name Sister Burna Cross. That role allows me to serve with humor, compassion, and a whole lot of heart.

 

Community involvement is at the center of my life. Right now, I’m raising funds for the Transgender Health and Wellness Center every Saturday at Dicks on Arenas from 2 to 4 pm. I also contribute to causes like Animal Samaritans, Parkinson’s support, clothing and blanket drives, and many other charitable efforts. Giving back keeps me grounded and reminds me of the power we have when we show up for one another.

 

Being part of BOD matters deeply to me. It is a circle of strong, like-minded men of color where we can feel safe and understood in a world that too often sees Black gay men as an afterthought or a fetish. Beyond that, BOD enriches the larger community through seminars, meetings, and gatherings that inspire connection and growth.

 

In my free time, I enjoy reading, drawing, painting, and video games. Still, the greatest joy I feel comes from helping others. Even if I can only make a difference for one person, that is enough, because it means someone received the support they needed.

 

Now, as I approach my 50th birthday, I’m reflecting on the future. One of my dreams is to serve on city council or a local board, but I’m also open to whatever path unfolds. Maybe even finding a partner along the way. Life has a way of surprising us, and I believe in staying grateful for every part of the journey.

 

The small Southern California desert city that popularized Jeffrey Sanker's White Party and Mariah Hanson's The Dinah as destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers has increasingly become home to Black gay men.

 

For the past eight years, Brothers of the Desert (BOD) has planted seeds in Palm Springs, a community traditionally known as a playground for mid-century modern era celebrities, architecture enthusiasts, and the aforementioned dancefloor and poolside productions.

 

The burgeoning nonprofit organization started with a small group of Black gay men who hosted a New Year's Eve dinner party for friends who had moved to or were visiting the desert from urban areas. They enjoyed the area's beauty, weather and relaxed vibe, but found the social offerings lacking for men of color.

 

With their leadership and guidance, what began as an annual holiday gathering expanded to offer support, fellowship, and an essential sense of belonging throughout the year. This was evident during the organization's first wellness summit in 2019, when about 100 people unexpectedly showed up for a day of health-focused panel discussions and workshops centered on Black gay men at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.

 

The annual wellness summit has morphed into one of Brothers of the Desert's two signature annual events, bringing together national leaders to address health, education, mental wellness, finance, and social awareness. Earlier this year, more than 250 people attended the seventh summit.

 

Over the years, the membership has incorporated as a 501(c)(3), elected a seven-member board, and developed a scholarship supporting Black gay college-bound students who face financial barriers in pursuing their dreams. Its scholarships and various programs are primarily funded through a second signature event, a festive New Year's Eve fundraiser and gala of entertainment, honors, dinner and dancing that amplifies the inclusive spirit of the first year-end party. (photo of 2023 honorees)

 

The 2025 New Year's Eve party and fundraiser is planned as a welcoming, carnival-themed evening of samba, glamour, and fun celebrating heroes and allies.

 

Brothers of the Desert has grown quickly. It's been recognized by the city of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission, Black History Committee, and many other accolades. But it is the growing membership that's the true testament to the organization's relevance and influence.

 

The membership roll has increased to over 100 so far. During monthly membership meetings, it's not uncommon for new attendees to reveal that Brothers of the Desert's existence was a deciding factor in their move to Palm Springs.

 

Brothers of the Desert members are not the first Black gay men to make an impression in the desert community. Ron Oden made history in 2003 as the first Black gay man elected mayor in Palm Springs, the state of California, and across the U.S. Brothers of the Desert recognized his contributions as a trailblazer years ago as an honoree at a previous New Year’s Eve gala.

 

"What Mayor Oden did cannot be overstated," Tim Vincent said. "He was the visibility that reminded cities all over the nation that Black gay men have significant gifts and contributions to enhance community life. However, because occupying the mayor's office is a high-profile position, some may consider Oden's tenure the result of special circumstances or as a one-off. My hope is that when allies and residents look at Brothers of the Desert, they see men from many different backgrounds, education levels, and professions. They see us as the neighbors, friends and leaders who are lifting up one another, the causes that align with our mission, and the community for everyone who lives here."

 

 

Since its founding, Brothers of the Desert has grown into a key force for positive change in the region. The organization hosts monthly meetings and social lunches on current community issues and events.

 

BOD also provides a safe space through its Barbershop group, focusing on the mental and emotional needs of Black gay men, and hosts speaker and film series spotlighting the cultural contributions of Black gay Americans.

 

As a nonprofit organization providing all its programs at no cost, BOD depends on the kindness of supporters and community members to uphold its mission.

 

For more information and updates, please visit brothersofthedesert.org.

 

 

To get tickets for Brothers of the Desert New Year’s Eve gala and fundraiser:

Brothers of the Desert is excited to continue our monthly discussion group called Barbershop: A Black Gay Men’s Space for Honest Talk About Wellness, now in our second year!

 

Building upon the tradition of barbershops in Black communities, the discussion group is designed to encourage open and honest conversation. The meetings are welcoming a spectrum of Black men, gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary. The wellness topics discussed are diverse, ranging from dating and intimacy, aging considerations, how we get and offer support, and exploring our identities as Black men.

 

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 PM. There is no charge to attend. We begin with a meet and greet with dinner that begins at 5:30PM and the discussion group starts at 6PM. The group is facilitated by Stuart Huggins and Will Dean.

 

To register to attend the meetings email: willdean.boardmember@brothersofthedesert.org

For questions email Tim Vincent at president@brothersofthedesert.org

 

Brothers of the Desert members meet monthly to discuss recent and upcoming events, share updates on the organization, celebrate our accomplishments, and have an opportunity to connect with new and existing members.

 

Join us for our Monthly Members & Allies Lunch at 1501 Gastropub!

Both members and allies are welcome to attend (Cash and Carry).

RSVP with DavidMaurice.Jones@gmail.com before October 10, 2025.

Join Brothers of the Desert for Real Talk, Real Health, our Wellness Summit Preview. This free, half-day event is designed to spark conversation, inspire healthy living, and build community around holistic health and well-being for Black men and allies in the Coachella Valley. The event takes place on Saturday November 15th, at The Renaissance Hotel in Palm Springs.

 

We are proud to welcome Dr. David Malebranche as a guest speaker for our Real Talk Real Health event. Dr. Malebranche is a respected physician, HIV specialist, and global health advocate. He brings decades of insight to his work at the intersection of public health, identity, and emotional wellbeing. Currently serving as a senior leader in Global Medical Affairs at Gilead Sciences, Dr. Malebranche is known for his ability to speak with both authority and authenticity—bridging clinical knowledge with lived experience. We are excited to enter a new partnership with Gilead Sciences for this event.

 

Other guest speakers and panelists will be announced soon. Whether you’re just starting your wellness journey or already deep into self-care and transformation, this preview event offers something for everyone.

 

Admission is free, registration is required, and space is limited. To reserve your spot:

 

Founded by artist-activist Anye Elite, Icon City Entertainment is a creative ecosystem helping underrepresented innovators build wealth, tell their stories, and take up space—without selling out.

 

We operate at the intersection of media, entrepreneurship, and culture. And since launching a Palm Springs hub in 2021, we’ve been proud to serve the local Black and LGBTQ+ communities with bold storytelling and community-rooted impact.

 

We’ve had the honor of working with Brothers of the Desert for the past several years, leading:

• New Year’s Eve Fundraiser — full-scale AV production, creative direction, and artist booking for 3 consecutive years

• Annual Wellness Summit — strategic storytelling, digital marketing, and production for 4 years and counting

 

These partnerships reflect our ability to produce high-quality experiences while keeping community, identity, and impact front and center.

 

IconCityNews.com – The Voice

Our digital-first media platform amplifies Black, LGBTQ+, and socially conscious stories through video, podcast, and editorial. With a growing reach across Palm Springs and beyond, we help brands, nonprofits, and creators connect with culture-shifting audiences.

 

Icons Rising – The Pipeline

Our mentorship and business support initiative helps creatives and entrepreneurs go from idea to execution. Services include branding, business formation, and pitch deck development—designed to make funding, partnerships, and visibility more accessible for those often left out of the conversation.

 

Rainbow Soul: is a hybrid memoir and black queer ethnomusicological exploration that bridges spirituality, identity, and cultural healing. Now available for pre-order, it’s already being integrated into various workshops.

 

The Dream

Our long-term vision is to scale Icon City into the “Black LinkedIn meets Vice News”—a hybrid of media and mentorship, rooted in justice, ownership, and cultural power.

 

Stay connected:

Instagram: @iconcityent

Pre-Order Rainbow Soul: https://www.iconcitynews.com/rainbow-soul-book 

 

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, and every year it stirs up a mix of memories and reflections for me. It’s one of those dates that reminds us how powerful our stories can be. For some, coming out feels like bursting through the closet door with glitter cannons and Beyoncé playing in the background. For others, it’s more like carefully cracking the door open to see if the coast is clear. And for many of us in Black LGBTQ+ communities, it often feels like both at the same time.

 

I still remember how nerve-wracking my own process was. I would rehearse conversations in my head the way an actor prepares for a role. I had speeches drafted, edited, and re-edited in my imagination. At one point I seriously considered making a PowerPoint presentation to keep things organized: Slide 1, “Yes, I’m gay.” Slide 2, “Here are the benefits of having a fabulous queer child.” Slide 3, “Questions?” Thankfully, I spared everyone the slideshow, but it does give you a sense of how much energy went into trying to get it just right.

 

What I discovered is that coming out is never just a single moment. It’s not like you say it once and then you’re done forever. It’s a lifelong journey. Every new job, every new friendship, every family reunion has the potential to bring up that question: “Do I share who I am here? Will I be safe? Will I be accepted?” Coming out is a series of decisions we make over and over again, and each one asks us to measure our safety, our authenticity, and our desire for connection.

 

In Black families and communities, those questions can feel even heavier. Our identities are shaped by strong cultural traditions, deeply rooted faith practices, and the powerful expectation of family loyalty. Sometimes that means being wrapped in love and embraced fully for who we are. Sometimes it means being met with silence, confusion, or even rejection. And sometimes it means having to find or build a chosen family who celebrates us without condition.

 

That’s why I like to think of coming out as coming home. Yes, it’s about telling others who we are, but more importantly, it’s about returning to ourselves. It’s that moment when we decide that hiding is too heavy a burden and that living in our truth is worth the risk. Coming home means choosing self-love. It means recognizing that home isn’t always tied to an address or a family name. Home can be a feeling of belonging, a sense of safety, or a circle of friends who love us exactly as we are.

 

National Coming Out Day reminds us that there is no single right way to do this. Some of us come out loud and proud on day one. Others wait years or choose to share only with people we trust. Some of us are out in one part of our lives and more private in another. And that’s okay. Authenticity matters, but so does safety. If your spirit isn’t ready, or if the circumstances aren’t safe, then holding your truth close to your chest for now is not a failure. It’s wisdom.

 

My own journey has been full of twists and turns. There were moments of heartbreak when I lost people I cared about. There were moments of hilarity when the person I came out to said, “Honey, we’ve always known.” And there were moments of pure liberation when I finally felt free enough to exhale. Each step brought me closer to myself, and closer to the people who truly see me.

 

So on this National Coming Out Day, I want to offer a reminder: your journey belongs to you. Whether you’re standing on a stage with a microphone or whispering your truth in the quiet safety of a friend’s kitchen, it’s still coming out. And each time you take that step, you are also coming home to yourself.

 

Happy National Coming Out Day, family. May we all keep finding our way home, and may we always remember that there’s a community here ready to welcome us when we arrive.

Some of you have asked for a book club, Brothers of the Desert is excited to sponsor and support the Mizell Center in launching a book club titled Books & Beyond. To distinguish this club from other local offerings, Mizell will be spotlighting local authors with ties to the Coachella Valley. The group will meet on the third Monday of each month at 6:00 PM. Each session will include a brief moderated conversation with the featured author, followed by a Q&A and lively discussion with participants.

 

Our inaugural program on Monday, October 20 will feature author Geoffrey Newman in conversation with Will Dean, board member of Brothers of the Desert. We are very excited to serve as a Community partner for this inaugural session and others to come. 

 

Each gathering will be free to attend and will include light refreshments and wine.

The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs will sell featured titles and promote the series in-store. To reserve your free seat, visit mizell.org

We need each other now more than ever—as Black gay brothers and sisters, we thrive through love, support, connection, and shared joy. That’s why Brothers of the Desert members and allies are invited to the Sunset Music & Comedy Festival, now part of Palm Springs Pride’s women’s programming, celebrating underrepresented voices.

 

Step inside for an unforgettable night of jazz, blues, soul, and laughter—a warm escape from the glittering chaos of Pride weekend.

 

Friday, November 7, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, experience powerhouse performances by TONY-nominated Ann Hampton Callaway, GRAMMY-nominated Amythyst Kiah, and comedian Jason Stuart. Use the exclusive code BROTHERS for a special Friday night discount.

 

Grab your tickets at www.sunsetmusic.org and support the Sunset Music and Education Foundation, helping young musicians shine. Come connect, celebrate, and experience the joy of community in full force!

October has always been one of my favorite months. Sure, there’s the changing weather, pumpkin-spiced everything, and Halloween costumes that range from the truly creative to the “did you even try?” variety. But for me, October is special because it’s LGBTQ+ History Month and it includes National Coming Out Day on October 11. It’s a whole month dedicated to shining a light on who we are, where we’ve come from, and why being visible matters.

 

Visibility is not just about being seen. It’s about being recognized, respected, and remembered. As Black queer men, our stories have often been left out of the broader LGBTQ+ narrative. Flip through the pages of most history books and you’ll find little mention of the countless Black queer activists, artists, and thinkers who shaped not just LGBTQ+ history, but American history itself. People like Bayard Rustin, who was a key architect of the March on Washington. Or Marsha P. Johnson, whose name has become almost synonymous with the fight for liberation. Their visibility was not optional; it was an act of courage, and it opened doors for the rest of us.

 

That’s why LGBTQ+ History Month is so important. It’s a reminder that we come from a lineage of resilience, creativity, and brilliance. It’s a time to tell our stories and to celebrate those who paved the way, especially those whose contributions have been overlooked because of race, gender identity, or sexuality. And it’s a chance to look around today and recognize that we’re still writing that history right now, in real time.

 

National Coming Out Day is part of that same spirit of visibility. For some, coming out is a loud and proud declaration. For others, it’s a quiet conversation shared only with the people we trust. And for many of us, especially in Black communities, it can be complicated. We balance cultural expectations, faith traditions, and family dynamics alongside our desire for authenticity. Coming out is not always safe or easy, and that’s why we need spaces like Brothers of the Desert — places where visibility is paired with safety, love, and affirmation.

 

When I think about visibility, I don’t just think about being out. I think about what it means to be seen in our fullness. It means being able to walk into a room and not feel the need to shrink or edit ourselves. It means seeing images of Black queer men in media and culture that aren’t limited to stereotypes. It means knowing our community has role models, storytellers, and leaders who reflect the wide range of who we are. Visibility gives us the power to imagine more for ourselves and to remind the world that we exist, we matter, and we have something to say.

 

Of course, visibility also comes with responsibility. When we are seen, we have the chance to inspire someone else. You never know who might be watching quietly from the sidelines, waiting to see someone who looks like them live openly and unapologetically. Your presence alone might be the encouragement they need to take their own step forward.

 

So this October, I invite you to think about what visibility means in your own life. Maybe it’s sharing your story with someone new. Maybe it’s honoring the memory of a Black queer elder who inspired you. Maybe it’s simply showing up at a community event and letting yourself be counted. Whatever visibility looks like for you, know that it’s part of a larger tapestry — one that stretches back through generations and forward into a future where our stories are not just included, but celebrated.

 

October is a month of visibility, but it’s also a reminder that every day we choose authenticity, we make history. And the more we stand together, the brighter that history shines.