Gaye Magazine
Feb 1
17 mins read
Black history is not only a record of survival. It is a living practice, carried forward by people building systems of care, power, and protection in the present tense. Across public health, policy, advocacy, and community infrastructure, Black LGBTQ+ leaders continue to shape a future grounded in accountability rather than symbolism, and justice that reaches the ground.
Harold J. Phillips, CEO of the National Minority AIDS Council, is a leader forged in collective struggle and guided by the belief that public health must answer to those most impacted. With more than three decades of experience shaping federal and community-based HIV responses, including his tenure directing the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, Phillips leads national efforts to end the HIV epidemic by centering racial justice, community leadership, and policy that actually reaches communities. A Black gay man living with HIV, Phillips brings clarity born of survival, emphasizing that progress is built through systems of care that are durable, equitable, and accountable.
Michael Elizabeth organizes where policy meets people, and where gender truth is not an aside but a source of clarity. As a nonbinary leader and director of public health policy at Equality Federation, they mobilize state-based advocacy to shape and implement public health policy that serves LGBTQ+ communities in practice, not just on paper, with a clear focus on HIV and structural health inequities.
Rooted in more than a decade of LGBTQ+ political and community organizing, from Texas policy fights to frontline HIV advocacy, Elizabeth brings movement discipline to the work. As vice chair of the U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus and the former president of the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus continue to build durable power and hold elected officials accountable.
Seane Coleman Ebony is a Brooklyn-raised strategist and builder whose leadership is shaped by early responsibility and lived experience. A husband, father and “Pop” within his family, Coleman Ebony developed a strong instinct for business and systems management at a young age while helping steward his family’s estate. As founder and CEO of Destination Tomorrow, he has grown the organization from $35,000 to $19 million, expanding its reach from the Bronx to Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Destination Tomorrow provides economic empowerment, housing, employment, health and legal support to Black LGBTQ+ communities and other marginalized populations, while his consulting work helps nonprofits move beyond grant dependency toward long-term sustainability.
Dr. Elijah Nicholas is a trans man, retired senior military officer, and national advocate for transgender and nonbinary equity. With more than 25 years of U.S. military service and over two decades of executive leadership, he brings deep expertise in health care administration, research, and policy-driven systems change.
As founder and chairman of The Global Trans Equity Project, Dr. Nicholas leads initiatives across 15 states to advance health, racial, and education equity for transgender men, women, and nonbinary people, focusing on building durable pathways to access, visibility, and justice.
Ronnie L. Taylor is a Black trans woman and longtime advocate whose leadership bridges community organizing, public policy, and education. She began organizing at 16 as the leader of her high school’s Gay–Straight Alliance and later made history as the first openly transgender chief of staff in the Maryland General Assembly.
As a senior leader at FreeState Justice, Taylor helps guide advocacy, policy, development, communications and research work. An adjunct professor of African American Studies, she remains committed to centering Black, queer and trans voices in movements for racial justice, policy change and public education.
Mariah Moore is a Black trans woman and national transgender rights advocate based in New Orleans whose work centers safety, equity, and dignity for transgender communities, particularly Black trans women. As director of policy and programs at the Transgender Law Center, Moore has organized against discriminatory laws and policies while serving on the City of New Orleans LGBTQ Task Force. Through policy work, organizing, and storytelling, she continues to push for a future where transgender people can live openly and safely, free from fear.
Kierra Johnson, president of the National LGBTQ Task Force, brings decades of movement leadership at the intersections of queer liberation, reproductive justice, and racial equity. A bisexual Black woman and longtime organizer, Johnson has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives and shaped national conversations through major media and policy platforms. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that living fully and leading visibly are acts of resistance, and that justice requires building power with those most often pushed to the margins.
Dr. Melanie Bryant is a social work and public health leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing equity through community-centered policy, advocacy, and organizational strategy. As director of Baltimore’s Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and founder of Ujima Consulting Group, she has helped nonprofits raise more than $10 million while strengthening sustainable systems of care. A Ph.D.-trained scholar and educator, Dr. Bryant’s work centers Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities through culturally grounded, intersectional practice and collective liberation.
Terrie Pendleton is a trailblazer in creating safe, dedicated spaces for queer women of color. As a co-founder of the organization Lesbian Women of Color (LWOC), she addressed a critical gap in the activist landscape in the 90s. LWOC is a “progressive social, cultural and political organization that addresses the needs and concerns of African American lesbians.” While mainstream feminist and LGBTQ+ movements often centered on white experiences, Pendleton’s work focused on the intersectionality of race and gender, providing a platform where Black and Brown lesbian women could find community, advocacy, and shared resources.
Beyond her organizational leadership, Pendleton has been a consistent voice for grassroots empowerment. Her efforts have helped foster a legacy of mentorship and visibility, ensuring that the specific challenges faced by lesbian women of color, such as healthcare disparities and workplace discrimination are addressed. By centering the experiences of marginalized women, she has helped shape a more inclusive narrative within the broader fight for civil rights.
Imani Rupert-Gordon is a powerhouse in the legal and advocacy world, currently serving as the Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). With a background in social work and community organizing, she brings a deeply humanistic approach to high-level legal battles. Before joining NCLR, she led the Affinity Community Services in Chicago, one of the oldest organizations in the U.S. dedicated to Black LGBTQ+ women, where she focused on intersectional justice and racial equity.
Under her leadership at NCLR, Rupert-Gordon has championed cases that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ families, fought against conversion therapy, and advocated for the safety of transgender youth. She is widely recognized for her ability to connect legislative policy with the lived realities of the most vulnerable members of the community. Imani Rupert-Gordon’s work ensures that the legal system serves as a tool for liberation rather than a barrier to equality.
Marissa L. Miller is a renowned advocate and strategist who has dedicated her life to the empowerment of transgender and gender-nonconforming people of color. She made history as the founder of the National Trans Visibility March (NTVM), a massive mobilization effort that brings thousands to Washington, D.C., to demand federal protection and recognition. Her work is rooted in the belief that visibility is a prerequisite for political power and social safety.
Miller’s impact goes beyond marching; she is a key figure in healthcare advocacy, particularly regarding HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention within the Black trans community. She has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, pushing for policies that address the disproportionate rates of violence and poverty faced by trans women of color. Through her leadership, she has transformed personal resilience into a national movement for dignity and justice.
Tyree Williams is a dedicated community builder who co-founded Brother of Bonds, an organization specifically designed to support Black transgender men. Recognizing that trans men often face unique forms of isolation and a lack of targeted resources, Williams helped create a brotherhood that emphasizes mental health, peer support, and resource sharing. His work centers on the idea that “manhood” can be redefined through a lens of vulnerability, strength, and mutual aid.
In addition to his work with Brother of Bonds, Williams is a vocal advocate for trans-inclusive healthcare and housing. He works to dismantle the stigmas that often prevent Black trans men from accessing essential services. By fostering a sense of belonging and providing a platform for shared experiences, Williams has helped empower a generation of men to live authentically and safely.
E. Lee Dyer IV is a vital leader alongside Tyree Williams in the mission of Brother of Bonds. Dyer’s contributions are centered on creating sustainable infrastructure for the Black trans community, ensuring that the organization provides more than just social connection. He has been instrumental in developing programming that addresses the holistic needs of trans men, including professional development, navigation of the legal transition process, and emotional wellness.
Dyer’s leadership style is characterized by a commitment to intersectional advocacy. He understands that the challenges faced by Black trans men are inextricably linked to systemic racism and economic inequality. By advocating for policy changes and building community resilience, Dyer helps ensure that Black trans men are not just surviving, but thriving. His work is a testament to the power of collective action in the face of systemic exclusion.
Dewayne Queen serves as a bridge between the LGBTQ+ community and municipal government in one of the most culturally significant cities in the South. As a Director for the City of Atlanta’s LGBTQ Affairs, Queen works to ensure that the city’s policies, from policing to public housing, are inclusive and equitable. His role involves advising the Mayor’s office on critical issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention, trans safety, and economic opportunities for queer residents.
Queen’s work is particularly important in Atlanta, a city with a large and diverse Black LGBTQ+ population. He acts as a liaison, ensuring that the voices of community activists are heard in the halls of power. By institutionalizing LGBTQ+ advocacy within city hall, Queen helps create a framework for long-term progress that outlasts individual political administrations, making the city a safer and more welcoming place for all.
Rashad Burgess is a prominent leader in the pharmaceutical and public health sectors, currently serving as a Vice President at Gilead Sciences. With decades of experience in community health, Burgess has been a driving force in the fight against the HIV epidemic, particularly its disproportionate impact on Black communities in the South. He has spent his career moving between grassroots public health work and high-level corporate strategy to ensure that life-saving treatments reach those who need them most.
In his role at Gilead, Burgess oversees major philanthropic initiatives and corporate responsibility programs that fund community-based organizations. He is known for his “community-first” philosophy, advocating for corporate giants to listen to local leaders when designing health interventions. His work exemplifies how Black LGBTQ+ professionals can occupy positions of immense corporate power to direct resources back into their communities and save lives.
When it comes to working to preserve all things transgender life, Tiommi Luckett has shown she walks it like she talks it. Over the course of her career, Luckett has shown time and time again that she is willing to show up, arrange and speak out for the transgender community. She grew up in the South, specifically in Arkansas, and is a University of Arkansas graduate, having obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Scientific Writing.
Since graduating, she has done it all, including serving in leadership and advisory roles with Positively Trans — a national advisory board for the Transgender Law Center focused on trans people living with HIV. In addition to her work with the Transgender Law center she was Communications coordinator for The Well Project’s blog A Girl Like Me and sits on its Community Advisory Board, where she helps amplify the voices of women and trans people living with HIV.
In addition to working with various organizations, Luckett has also spoken at national events such as AIDSWatch and the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, where she advocates for equity, policy change, and transgender rights.
Kylar Broadus is the walking personification of black LGBTQ+ history, born to parents who suffered under the Jim Crow era laws that plagued Missouri. He spent the formative years of his life near Columbia, Missouri, graduated from Fayette High School, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Central Methodist University.
Broadus took his education and background to the HBCU Lincoln University, where they taught business law and workplace discrimination. During this time Broadus also actively practiced law, representing LGBTQ+ clients. In 2012, Broadus made history by becoming the first openly transgender person to testify before the United States Senate, where they spoke in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which aimed to extend federal protections against workplace discrimination to LGBTQ+ people.
Ceyenne Doroshow (pronounced Kai-Ann) has a resume like no other! Doroshow hails from Brooklyn, New York, growing up in the Park Slope and Bushwick area. Growing up Doroshow faced various challenges, including rejection from her family for her transgender identity and eventually being ousted from her house, leaving her homeless.
With her lived challenges in tow, Doroshow went on to found the G.L.I.T.S. (Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society) in 2015. The organization’s mission and work have since helped provide support for Black transgender people and LGBTQ+ sex workers with resources such as housing, community, and care.
Doroshow’s work goes beyond G.L.I.T.S., she has also helped co-organize the 2020 Liberation March, a Black Trans Lives Matter march that was held in complete silence. For the march, Doroshow tapped peer activist Raquel Willis and West Dakota, as well as the family of the late Iyanna Dior, The Okra Project, Black Trans Femmes in the Arts, and Marsha P. Johnson Institute.
Brooklyn-based Jordyn Jay wears many hats in efforts to give back to the transgender community. Some of these hats include organizer, arts advocate, producer, and nonprofit leader, to name a few. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, she migrated to New York City to pursue her education, attending New York University (NYU) where she earned a Bachelor’s degree with a self-designed major focused on Imagining Abolition.
Following her undergraduate studies, she earned a Master’s Degree in Art Politics from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Today she continues to put her experiences and education to good use by amplifying Black transgender femme artistry through the Black Trans Femmes in the Arts Collective (BTFA) — an organization that creates space, resources, and opportunities for Black transgender femme artists.
Originally founded in 2019 by Jay, the collective began small by hosting community based meetups and then organizing public events to bring Black transgender femme artists together. In addition to founding BTFA, Jay serves as the collective’s executive director, where she ensures the organization stays true to its mission and long-term goals.
Monica Raye Simpson is an award-winning queer Black activist, artist, and executive director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. Simpson grew up in a single-parent household in Wingate, North Carolina. During her formative years, Simpson played no games about her education and recalls being the only Black student in honors classes, sparking her activism for Black and women’s rights.
Next, she continued her education all the way to college, earning a communications degree from Johnson C. Smith University, where she advocated for LGBTQ rights. She later became operations director—the first person of color—at the Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Community Center and co-founded Charlotte’s Black Gay Pride Celebration, earning recognition from the National Black Justice Coalition and Human Rights Coalition.
Today, she continues to serve as Executive Director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, the largest U.S. reproductive justice organization focused on issues affecting women of color. In this role, she leads advocacy, education, training, and policy work to expand reproductive rights and justice, and continues to organize on intersecting issues like racial, gender, and economic equity.
Together, these leaders represent a contemporary Black history defined not by abstraction, but by action. Their work affirms that liberation is not symbolic. It is practiced, protected, and built every day by those closest to the harm and most invested in the future.
When it comes to multi-hyphenated black queer media figures, you cannot skip over the accomplishments of Emil Wilbekin. Wilbekin stands as a pioneering force at the intersection of Black culture, queer identity, and media innovation. From journalism to activism, styling, content creation, and everything in between, Wilbekin has been at the forefront of the industry since the late 1980s.
After obtaining a bachelor’s in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University and a Master’s in Journalism from Columbia University, he went on to become an influential leader at Vibe Magazine, Essence Magazine, and Giant. In 2020, Wilbekin established Native Son, a platform created to inspire and empower Black Gay Men.
Through Native Son, Wilbekin has cultivated more than just a network, he has built a movement. The organization amplifies the visibility and lived experiences of Black gay men across industries, hosting high-profile conversations, leadership summits, and cultural gatherings that celebrate excellence while confronting inequities.
By honoring trailblazers and emerging leaders alike, Native Son creates space for affirmation, connection, and collective power. At the same time, it tackles pressing social and societal issues. From health disparities and political representation to media visibility and economic empowerment, Wilbekin’s leadership ensures that Black gay men are not only seen, but heard, valued, and positioned at the center of conversations that directly impact their lives.
Dr. David Johns champions equity, political education, and advocacy as powerful tools for the advancement of Black and queer people nationwide. As chief executive officer and executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), Dr. Johns leads the organization’s mission to combat racism, homophobia, and the stigmatization of Black LGBTQ+/SGL communities, including people living with HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Johns began his social justice career as an elementary school educator. Over time, he progressed into influential roles within major political organizations, including serving as Director of Development at IMPACT and as Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans during the Obama Administration.
Alongside his professional work, Dr. Johns is an accomplished scholar. He graduated with honors from Columbia University earning a triple major in English, Creative Writing, and African American Studies. He also holds a Ph.D. in sociology and education policy from Columbia University.
Additionally, Dr. Johns hosts the Teach the Babies podcast, examining the interconnected forces of race and access, as well as the role the government plays in shaping the education of children in America.
Kenya Hutton brings more than two decades of work in social justice, equity, and HIV prevention, centering his work on disenfranchised and marginalized communities, particularly in Washington, DC and the New York City metropolitan areas. Beginning as a volunteer, Hutton rose through the ranks to become President and CEO of the Center for Black Equity, a multinational network dedicated to improving social, health, and economic equity for Black, LGBTQIA+ communities.
As a member of the legendary house of Garçon, Hutton also integrates ballroom culture into his community work. He is a co-founder of Capital Ballroom Council, an organization committed to unifying, amplifying, and resourcing ballroom communities throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) region.
As a formally trained biostatistician and social epidemiologist, DeMarc Hickson started his career in community health with a strong foundation in mathematics and research. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Norfolk State University and went on to receive a Ph.D. in Biostatistics from Emory University.
Using his academic background as a gateway into a professional public health career, Hickson worked as a biostatistician in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He also contributed to the Jackson Heart Study, the largest cardiovascular study of African-Americans, and served as the Director of Evaluation of the non-profit My Brother’s Keeper.
Currently, DeMarc Hickson works as the Executive Director at Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Inc. Founded in 1985 as a self-help support group for Black gay and bisexual men living with HIV during the early years of the HIV pandemic, Us Helping Us has now grown into a multifaceted non-profit organization. Today, Us Helping Us provides services, programs, and support with a focus on Black transgender women and Black gay and bisexual men, people living with HIV, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those affected by substance use and mental health disorders.
Randevyd Pierre combines business acumen and public health expertise in his role as the Head of U.S. External Affairs at ViiV Healthcare, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing the treatment and care of people living with HIV through research and expanded access to HIV medicine.
Prior to joining ViiV Healthcare, Pierre held roles with the Georgia Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Janssen Pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson. As a seasoned public health leader, Pierre works collaboratively with health agencies and communities to expand access to resources and deliver high-quality healthcare.
Chastity Bowick is a community focused trailblazer with a proven record of maximizing impact for transgender individuals. For seven years, Bowick led the Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts (TEF), the leading crisis agency serving transgender communities in New England. During her time with TEF, Bowick oversaw the opening of the region’s first transgender transitional home. In partnership with the American Heart Association and About Fresh, she also launched a nutritional program during the COVID-19 pandemic that delivered fresh produce to low-income transgender and gender nonconforming individuals across Massachusetts.
Bowick previously worked at AIDS Project Worcester, where she led and pioneered transgender health programming in the Worcester area. She is also a board member of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, advancing policy efforts statewide.
This year, Bowick became the new Executive Director of the Marsha P. Johnson Institute (MJPI), becoming only the second person to hold the role after founder Elle Moxley, who established the organization as a safe, affirming space for Black transgender people. In addition to her leadership at MJPI, Bowick launched Chastity’s Consulting & Talent Group, LLC (CCTG), which provides strategic guidance, addresses systemic needs, and advocates for the transgender community, particularly transgender women of color.
Indiana native Belinda Drake is the first installed Executive Director of the Community Research and Resource Center, succeeding the organization’s founder, Marissa Miller.
Based in Indianapolis, the CRRC operates as a multi-tiered service organization, addressing needs across the professional, community, education, and health and wellness sectors. The ultimate purpose of CRRC is to serve as a practical, accessible resource, both online and in person, for trans and non-binary communities.
Drake draws on more than 20 years of non-profit and human services leadership in her home state of Indiana. She has served as the President for Indiana Pride of Color, the Indiana Youth Group (IYG), United Way of Central Indiana, and the Indianapolis Board of Business and Neighborhood Services.
Belinda Drake’s work speaks for itself. She is a trusted community leader with a longstanding passion in supporting trans, non-binary, and the broader LGBTQ+ community across Indiana.
In the 40+ year history of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Kelley Robinson is the first Black, queer woman to serve as President. With 3.6 million member advocates, HRC is the nation’s largest LGBTQIA+ civil rights organization, adding even more significance to Robinson’s historic appointment.
Robinson has deep roots in organizing and outreach, having spent 11 years at Planned Parenthood as National Organizing Director and later as Executive Director at Planned Parenthood Action Fund. She has also been featured in TIME’s “100 Most Influential People of 2024”, and served on the Charles F. Kettering Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Widely recognized as a galvanizing force in coalition building for LGBTQIA+ movements, Robinson’s advocacy is defined by creativity, influence, and innovation, a clear testament to her effectiveness as a visionary leader.
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