Our Black Gay Diaspora Podcast™

For this episode, I share my coming-out story, a process I began 24 years ago. I talk about what preceded me coming out. Why I did it. And where I’m at today as an American digital nomad writer and podcaster in Europe.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janis Bailey is an American travel advisor and the owner of Sol Journey Travel in Baltimore, Maryland, offering "personalized travel planning for discerning travelers." Sol Journey Travel also has a YouTube channel highlighting travel destinations in Mexico, Greece, Scotland, and other locales. Janis shares her love of international travel and how she utilizes her experiences to guide her clientele on their journeys of peak global explorations.NOTE: When Janis references Antigua Cuba (38:47), the location is actually Trinidad de Cuba.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Alhaji Sesay is an American entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Sugrbum Hygienics. He’s also the creator of the company’s foaming deodorizer. With a focus on health and beauty innovations using natural alternatives, Alhaji has created a product addressing the needs of us all, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. He shares his journey as a black gay professional, which includes acting and modeling.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Cheikh Traore is a Nigerian/Mauritanian health adviser and entrepreneur, with over 15 years of experience working in public health and development. His career has taken him to more than 22 countries across Western Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. He's worked as a health advisor for several agencies, providing expertise in policy solutions, training, and program design to improve health access. Dr. Traore shares his career and his life as a black gay professional.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Z Saj (pronounced 'sage') is a Chicago-based hip-hop artist, songwriter, public speaker, and business owner. With a love of music that’s been with her since childhood, Z Saj released her 1st EP titled Versatility in February 2019. As an up-and-coming talent who reached out to me via social media, she shares her professional and personal journeys as an out lesbian artist in the music industry.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael J. Bobbitt is the Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, Massachusetts’s “largest public investor in the arts, humanities & sciences.” As the highest-ranking cultural official in the state, Michael is also a theater director, choreographer, and playwright. He’s directed and/or choreographed productions at The Shakespeare Theatre, Strathmore, The Kennedy Center, Helen Hayes Awards, Washington National Opera, and other venues. He shares his experiences as a Black gay professional and how he utilizes these to create more diverse cultural and artistic communities.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryan Sparkman is an American documentarian, writer, model, actor, and voice actor. With a passion for storytelling, he's the founder of Drakenstein Productions, whose mission is to “entertain, enlighten and empower audiences through scripted content, podcasts, motivational videos, short films, and documentaries.” Additionally, Bryan is the creator and host of the podcast and YouTube channel, Our Voices. Our Journee, creating spaces for the black LGBTQ+ community (and others) to shift our world through the sharing of our respective journeys.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashlei Shyne is an American comedy writer, actress, filmmaker, and activist. One of her more notable roles is as Aaliyah Jones in her comedy series #TMI. As a writer, Ashlei is committed to creating character-driven comedies featuring Black women and the LGBTQ+ community. Ashlei is part of the cast of The Book of Queer, which premieres in June 2022 on Discovery+. Additionally, Ashlei is on the board of Still Bisexual, an organization “building acceptance, awareness and understanding of those who are attracted to more than one gender.”Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edward D. Lathan IV is an American peripatetic artist and yoga and fitness instructor. He's also the founder and teaching artist of the former NuDance & Gymnasium NYC, a space that offered clothing-optional fundamental movements and performance and presentation techniques to boost self-confidence and embrace one’s body. Edward is an avid traveler who has been throughout the United States, Europe, and other parts of the globe.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Jeremy Helligar is executive editor at PEOPLE Magazine. He’s an editor and writer who’s contributed to such publications as Variety, Huffpost, Reader’s Digest, and The Root. Jeremy’s also the author of two books, the 2014 memoir, Is It True What They Say About Black Men?: Tales of Love, Lust and Language Barriers on the Other Side of the World and Storms in Africa: A Year in the Motherland, published in 2020.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nubia Younge is an American travel consultant, international events coordinator, motivational speaker, and expatriate coach. Additionally, she’s the founder and CEO of Black in Tulum, “the first and only community where melanated travelers come together and vibe where the jungle meets the sea.” Nubia's also the co-host of Chronicles Abroad, a podcast showcasing the stories of world adventurers.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Treye Green is an American culture writer, editor, and poet. He's written for The Guardian, HuffPost, BuzzFeed, and the New York Post. Treye is also the founder of Black in Media, a space for “accountability led by those who’ve spoken out and those who have yet to share their own stories about being Black in the media industry.”Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frantzces Lys is an American clinical therapist, now operating as a life coach and plant medicine integration coach. As the founder of THRIVE, Frantzces is a digital nomad who’s been to more than 20 countries, working with eight different Shamans from Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. She's also a content creator and storyteller for Black Girl Ventures, an organization providing “…Black/Brown woman-identifying founders with access to community, capital, and capacity building in order to meet business milestones.”Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gamal ‘G’ Turawa is a British facilitator, speaker, and coach. As founder, managing director, and lead facilitator of Purple Frogs Connections Ltd., G delivers workshops and presentations internationally within the public and private sectors. He’s also the subject of Cherish Oteka’s 2021 BAFTA-winning short film, The Black Cop. Where he shares the journey that led to him being the UK’s first openly gay Black police officer for London's Metropolitan Police Service. Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cameron Johnson is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. He's written for series like Fox’s Empire, the CW’s Nancy Drew, and BET’s Zoe Ever After, starring actress and singer Brandy Norwood. Cameron is also the co-creator and executive producer of the CW series Tom Swift, and producer of The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He shares with me how he use his professional credentials and personal experiences to breathe life into Black openly gay characters.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher Adams is an American high school English teacher. He’s worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District and within the DeKalb County School System in Atlanta, Georgia. Christopher shares about growing up in Georgia, his experiences as an actor in New York, and the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. He also opens up about his transition from the creative arts to education.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am interviewed by UK-based French photographer Pierre Monnerville, our Episode 5 guest. I share my experiences as an American expatriate in Europe, my life as a black gay man, and how Our Black Gay Diaspora Podcast came to be.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jared Hudson is an American writer who wrote an article for the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) titled, “Why All the Limp Wrists? Black Gay Male Representation and Masculinity in Film.” With a B.A. degree in English from UNC and an M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing from Pratt Institute, he cited 14 films, analyzing how black gay characters are stereotypically represented. Jared also co-hosts ScaryCrit podcast, a horror and pop culture podcast.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donnya Piggott is a Barbadian tech entrepreneur, designer, and human rights advocate. She is CEO and Co-Founder of Pink Coconuts, an LGBTQ+ travel company. In 2012, Donnya co-founded B-GLAD, a support organization for LGBT persons in Barbados. Donnya also mentions Barbados's recent transition (November 30, 2021) from the British Commonwealth to a republic.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Samuel Girma is an Afro-Swedish film and art curator and activist based in Stockholm, Sweden. He’s also co-founder, with Juliet Atto of Black Queer Sweden. Samuel shares about his home country of Ethiopia and the war going on in its northern Tigray region. He also talks about his professional and personal experiences in Sweden. And how he uses his intellect and his passion to fuel positivity and change.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dennis Austin is an American writer who wrote for The Daily Illini, the University of Illinois in Champaign's student independent newspaper. He also wrote for The Times of Israel blog. Dennis shared his professional and personal journeys as a writer, political commentator, and Illinois native.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bandy Kiki is a Cameroonian entrepreneur and activist. In 2016, she was listed among the 50 most influential Cameroonians under the age of 40 by Avance Media. Bandy shares her professional and personal journeys in Cameroon and the United Kingdom.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reginald Holden Jennings is a German-based American singer, dancer, and actor. Across continents, he's appeared in professional productions of Starlight Express and Aida. In October 2020, Reginald was a contestant on season 10 of The Voice Germany. In this episode, he shares his professional journey and his experiences as a Black gay professional.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roux Haile is a queer tattoo artist, activist, and dancer. Roux also co-owns Portland, Oregon’s Ori Gallery with Maya Vivas. Roux shares how they use their talents and visions to create a more inclusive world for the black and brown LGBTQ+ communities.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lennox Benson is a British children’s book author based in London, UK. With experience in the performance and creative arts, Lennox has written his first book titled “The Biracial Butterfly”. It’s an educational tool created to help children learn about mixed heritage within today’s modern families. Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yassine Senghor is Director at Britain's Confronting Change Diversity & Inclusion Strategies, an organization whose services include consultancy, policy review, workshops, and more. Yassine is a diversity & inclusion specialist and culture writer, with expertise in creating LGBTQ+ inclusion and anti-racist spaces.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Dorean Myers is the co-creator of Erotic Edges, a magazine offering virtual life drawing sessions. He was the executive director of Black and Gay, LLC, an American non-profit organization advancing the experiences of the Black LGBTQ+ community. Michael shares about overcoming childhood trauma, entrepreneurship, and international travel.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Adeniji is a Swedish author, consultant, and educator with a Ph.D. in Gender Studies from Linköping University in Linköping, Sweden. Anna’s work combines critical race and intersectionality studies and its usage in creating ethnic and racial diversity within civil society and the arts. Her 2023 book, Koll på rasism (Watch Out for Racism), "…provides knowledge about where racism comes from and how it can look today."Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince Beasley is a Houston, Texas-based YouTuber and make-up artist. Beasley's YouTube channel touches on topics that are important and trending in pop culture and the Black LGBTQ+ community. He shares how he utilizes his professional and personal experiences to excel as a Black queer millennial.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher Waldekrantz is a Swedish creative strategist, award-winning art director, and the founder and business director at The Odd Society, “a pan-Scandinavian creative and strategic design agency.” Christopher shares about growing up in Sweden and his career as a Black queer professional.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas DeBoe is a Los Angeles-based attorney and law professor. With over 25 years of experience, Thomas’s legal services include business contracts, joint ventures, consumer transactions, and family law. He shares the professional and personal journeys that took him from Kentucky to Los Angeles, California, and New York City, New York.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pierre Monnerville is a UK-based French photographer for male personal trainers, bodybuilders, and coaches. Pierre's work centers on masculine imagery through fitness and fashion. He's also the founder of the Unapologaytic ethical T-shirt brand. Pierre shares his professional and personal journeys in France, Martinique, and the United Kingdom.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Black Gay Diaspora Podcast's Creator, Host, and Producer, Erick Taylor Woodby, shares his journey to creating the podcast. Erick talks about his professional and personal experiences that shaped his passion for highlighting the positivity and diversity that exists amongst Black LGBTQ+ citizens throughout the world.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shaun Wallace is Director at Arc of Triumph Arts/Health Organisation in London, advocating for mental health for the Black British LGBTQ+ population. He's also the founder of Queer Head Doctors and shares his journey as a gay professional in the U.K. and Nigeria.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victor Chikalogwe is a Malawian LGBTQ activist and the director of South Africa’s People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty (PASSOP), a non-profit organization advocating for the rights of asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants in Cape Town, South Africa. Prior to working for PASSOP, Victor was the program coordinator for Home of Hope, a Malawian orphanage that nurtures orphaned and vulnerable children. It was Victor who signed for the adoption of David Banda, the son of American singer-songwriter Madonna.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leon Lopez is a British actor, television and film director, known for his roles in the British soap operas Brookside and EastEnders. Leon's directing credits include includes the 2015 film Soft Lad and episodes of British soaps like Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, and Emmerdale.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the trailer episode for Our Black Gay Diaspora Podcast. Where our tagline, “Together Celebrating Our Global Community” sums up this space for black LGBTQ+ citizens to come together to inspire and educate each other on who we are in our respective countries and professions.Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to ourblackgaydiasporapodcast.com. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.