We are coming on the closing months of 2025, and we continue to be grateful for everything this year has brought us so far. We look forward to celebrating our successes and accomplishments at the end of the year and are working to envision a brighter future for our group.  For us at Brothers of the Desert, in November and December, we have two main events that we would like everyone to take part and support.

 

Our New Year’s Eve Gala and Fundraiser, Carnival in Palm Springs is happening at The Riviera Resort and Spa. We are offering a 15% discount for all ticket types using the code BOD2025, if purchased by November 30th. In this issue we are also announcing and spotlighting our 2025 Legacy Award honorees.  They are all inspiring leaders and activists with diverse histories and impact. We are raising funds to continue and expand our educational programs and support services in a time when they are needed most.

Get NYE tickets here:

In less than two weeks, on Saturday November 15th we are hosting a free half-day event, Real Talk, Real Health at the Renaissance hotel in Palm Springs to support the health and resilience of our community. We are excited that our featured speakers and panelists have been confirmed, and more information about them is also provided in this issue. For this event, we have entered a new partnership with Gilead Sciences, and they are sponsoring a complimentary lunch following the program. Registration is required and space is limited.

Please register here:

If you are here or visiting the area, the weekend of November 7th-9th, join us for Palm Springs Pride. March with us as a member or ally of our group. At Brothers of the Desert, we are proud members, advocates and changemakers of our diverse and inclusive community.

 

Thank you for your continued support,

Join David Maurice Jones and Thomas Sarkis with "PRIDE" as they walk to support our community.

 

The Brothers of the Desert has received the wonderful news that we are one of the organizations to receive proceeds from the Palm Springs PRIDE 5k Run and Walk, hosted by Front Runners and Walkers.

The race starts and ends on W Chino Drive @ Belardo Road.

For more details, go to palmspringspriderun.com

 

Brothers of the Desert is walking in the Palm Springs PRIDE Parade! Would you like to represent us as a Member or Ally?

 

The parade starts at 10:00 am, and we will be lining up before 10 am near Vista Chino and Palm Canyon Drive.

 

Let us know you want to support us by emailing Eric (Vicepresident@brothersofthedesert.org) before Friday, November 7th.

This event will not be held due to PRIDE Weekend and Real Talk, Real Health.
We encourage everyone to attend and show support at Real Talk, Real Health instead!

This event will not be held due to PRIDE Weekend and Real Talk, Real Health.
We encourage everyone to attend and show support at Real Talk, Real Health instead!

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. Daniel Driffin as our featured guest speaker.  A nationally recognized public health advocate and co-founder of THRIVE SS, Dr. Driffin brings over 16 years of experience leading community-driven solutions across the South to improve HIV health outcomes and mental wellness for marginalized communities. His voice at this event will spotlight health equity, culturally responsive care, and the need for safe, affirming spaces for Black men and allies to thrive.

 

Other guest speakers and panelists include Dr. Imani Woody, LGBTQ+ elder advocate & Founder, Mary’s House for Older Adults, Dr. Leon Maultsby, Executive Director, In The Meantime Men’s Group and BJ Williams, Founder of Can I Be Vulnerable?, exploring the power of storytelling, lived experience, and healing in community.

 

Whether you’re just starting your wellness journey or already deep into self-care and transformation, this preview event offers something for everyone.

 

We’re also proud to announce a new partnership with Gilead Sciences. They are graciously sponsoring a complimentary lunch for all attendees immediately following the event. It’s a chance to continue the conversation, connect with speakers, and build community over a shared meal.

 

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

 

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

Guests at Brothers of the Desert's Carnival in Palm Springs gala and fundraiser on Dec. 31 can expect more than the usual New Year's Eve party fanfare.

 

In addition to providing a celebratory vibe, sumptuous meal, and pulsating rhythms on the dance floor, the event will include the recognition of four people who support our community and our organization as an outstanding member or invaluable ally.

 

Selected by the party planning committee, the honorees include a Palm Springs city leader, activist-author, attorney, and event promoter -- all trailblazers with an enduring connection to the Black and LGBTQ+ communities locally and nationwide.

 

The honorees are:

Gil Gerald -- A naturalized U.S. citizen of Afro-Caribbean ancestry who was born in the Republic of Panama, Mr. Gerald began a journey in LGBTQ+ activism shortly after graduating from the Architecture School at Pratt Institute. During a storied career, his many achievements include co-founding the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays; founding board member for both the Human Rights Campaign Fund and National Minority AIDS Council; and steering committee member for the 1987 National March on Washington for LGBT Rights, among many others. Mr. Gerald is a member of Brothers of the Desert and is currently writing his memoir.

Grace Garner -- A second-generation Palm Springs resident, Ms. Garner is serving her second term as a Palm Springs City Council member representing district one. Ms. Garner mad history as the first Latina elected to the City Council. During her tenure on the council, she has championed increasing affordable housing; improving community facilities; creating more youth-focused programming; and addressing neighborhood needs. Ms. Garner is proud to serve the vibrant and diverse residents of Palm Springs.

Joe Hawkins -- A community organizer based in Oakland, California, Mr. Hawkins has helped to create impactful services for the state's LGBTQ+ community over 40 years. His achievements include co-founding Oakland Pride and co-founding and serving as CEO at the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. His work has brought numerous accolades including an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and recently the Visionary Award from Horizons Foundation and an Oakland mayor's proclamation naming a day in his honor. Mr. Hawkins is a military veteran, husband, father and grandfather.

Lauren Joichin Nile -- An author, keynote speaker, organizational development trainer-consultant, and retired attorney, Ms. Nile has used her counseling skills to aid the disenfranchised through the Maryland Legal Aid Society, Women's Equity Action League, and National Treasury Employees Union in Washington, D.C. Ms. Nile also was deployed by the U.S. State Department to speak about cultural diversity abroad, conducted sexual harassment training at the White House during the Clinton administration. As Director of Training for the National MultiCultural Institute, Cal State Northridge and Cal Poly Pomona, her emphasis was in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She has authored numerous articles, two books, and was recognized in 2019 with the Greater Palm Springs Pride Spirit of Stonewall Advocate of the Year Award.

 

"Each year during our New Year's Eve party, there is a beautiful moment when we lift up people who have inspired us or been incredibly supportive to us, or both," said Tim Vincent, Brothers of the Desert Board President. "This year we are proud to express our gratitude to one of our many dedicated members and three amazing allies. It is my hope that the everyone will come out to help us celebrate the incredible contributions of these honorees."

 

The New Year's Eve party is a welcoming, festive evening of celebration and community fellowship. It is one of two signature annual events that Brothers of the Desert presents, and it's the primary fundraiser for its scholarships and other programs.

 

We are offering a 15% discount for any tickets or tables purchased by November 30th, using the code BOD2025. Got your ticket yet? Register here. The party will take place at Riviera Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, which is offering a room discount to Carnival attendees who wish to stay overnight: New Year's Eve 2025 - Start your reservation.

 

It’s easy to roll our eyes when someone says “Every vote counts.” It’s the political version of “Drink more water”—true, necessary, but somehow hard to feel inspired by. Yet here we are again, ballots in hand, wondering if it really matters this time. Spoiler alert: it does. Especially for us.

 

When Black queer men show up at the polls, we are doing more than ticking boxes on a form—we’re declaring that we exist, that our voices matter, and that the future of our communities will not be decided without us. Local elections, in particular, are where the magic (and mischief) happens. It’s mayors, school boards, city councils, and propositions that decide things like affordable housing, LGBTQ+ protections, access to healthcare, and which programs actually get funded in our neighborhoods.

 

Think of it this way: federal elections might be the concert headliner, but local elections are the sound engineer—the ones who actually control the levels of what we hear and feel every day. And just like that engineer, if we don’t show up to tell them what sounds right, we might end up living with a lot of feedback.

 

Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley have become vibrant hubs for queer life, but maintaining that inclusivity takes ongoing care. When we vote, we’re not just reacting—we’re shaping. We’re saying yes to diverse leadership, yes to policies that support our trans and queer siblings, yes to art, culture, and safe spaces that reflect who we are.

 

So on November 5th, don’t let anyone tell you your vote doesn’t matter. Grab a friend, carpool to the polls, or strut in like you’re walking the runway of democracy. Whether it’s city council or school board, your choices ripple out farther than you think.

 

Because at the end of the day, voting isn’t just a civic duty—it’s an act of love. Love for our community. Love for the generations that fought to get us here. Love for the desert we call home.

 

And love, my friends, always matters.

What is the name of your business? WORK! Talent LLC

 

What is your business mission statement?  I like helping to redefine what representation should look like. I want to elevate diverse talent with every audition opportunity and booking - giving casting directors access to my performers. But in reality, the bigger picture is to help my clients continue to build their resumes. This will help them have long and hopefully successful careers in this tough & fickle industry.

 

What does your business provide? What services? Opportunities for actors in TV/Feature Films and Commercials whether its acting or modeling.

 

How long has your business been in the Palm Springs area and where did your business come from previously? I've worked in Palm Springs area for 7 years. Originally my offie is in Los Angeles. But technically, I can work anywhere like Toronto, NYC, Dallas etc etc

 

What kind of work does your business do and/or how have you been involved in the community? Provide Acting/Modeling opportunities to aspiring clients

 

What led you to start your business? (Cue the violins. I love the business of entertainment (TV/Movies/Modeling). And after working at agencies big and small with well-known child actors and adults. I gained so much knowledge of the ins and outs of this "bizness", I never thought about starting an agency. My wake-up call for needing to change was working at a mid size agency, working along side people who the bosses favored and made sure they knew it. While I was working hard and feeling the pressure to do better but not receiving the credit. The one time I did receive credit for my hard work.. I received a 50 dollar coffee GIFT CARD... Really Girl?? The bosses and their families were reaping the benefits of MY HARD WORK! After I quit I then had several "why did you quit your job without a backup plan you dummy" talks to myself. I then started taking business seminars and meetings from other gay, lesbian & straight ally entrepreneurs. I found the courage to step out on faith..  I can now say, "Look Ma, I'm an EntrepreNegro!"... GET IT?

 

What is your lifelong dream (s) for your business? Stay in business for the next 10-15 years and to book several clients on long running Series Regular roles

 

What is your website? Social Media address? https://www.instagram.com/worktalent/

This season has a way of stirring something tender in us. The days grow shorter, the nights stretch longer, and suddenly the air feels a little quieter. For many people, November brings gatherings and gratitude. For others, it brings a kind of stillness that can feel like loneliness.

 

As a touch and intimacy therapist, I’ve learned that the body keeps score—not just of stress, but also of tenderness, love, and connection. When we go too long without genuine touch or emotional closeness, we start to feel it. Our shoulders tighten, our breath shortens, and the world can start to seem distant.

 

But here’s the beautiful thing: we can reconnect. We can bring warmth back into our lives, even when the season feels cool. It starts with something simple—awareness.

 

Try placing your hand over your heart for a moment. Feel that rhythm. That’s life reminding you that you are still here, still worthy of affection, still connected to something larger than yourself.

 

Gratitude works the same way. It’s not just a mental exercise; it’s an embodied practice. When I work with clients, I often encourage them to begin with the body. Stretch in the morning and whisper a quiet “thank you” to the muscles that carry you. When you shower, take a second to appreciate the water on your skin. When you hug a friend, really feel it—let the contact linger one heartbeat longer than usual.

 

Touch doesn’t always have to be romantic or sexual. It can be a firm handshake, a hand on a shoulder, a gentle self-massage at the end of the day. Every act of touch is a small prayer of belonging.

 

And if you find yourself alone this season, remember that solitude doesn’t have to mean disconnection. Light a candle, put on music that moves you, wrap yourself in a blanket, and breathe into your own warmth. Gratitude grows in moments like that.

 

The truth is, intimacy begins with presence—being here, in this body, in this moment. When we make peace with that, every touch, every breath, every act of kindness becomes a form of gratitude.

 

So as the holidays approach, I invite you to reach out, both inward and outward. Touch the world with care. Let yourself be touched by it in return. That, to me, is what it means to live gratefully.