Native Son Launches Inaugural Fellowship for Black LGBTQ+ Creators & Leaders

Gayes, what’s better than one win for the Black queer community? Two!

Last weekend in New York City, the headquarters for all things Black, queer, and excellent, Native Son celebrated its 10th anniversary alongside a special announcement. During its 10th-anniversary awards weekend, celebrating its impactful work and the Black LGBTQ+ community, the digital media platform launched the Native Son Fellowship in collaboration with Gilead Sciences. The fellowship, designed to equip Black LGBTQ+ content creators with the resources to amplify dialogue around HIV awareness and wellness, serves as an avenue to dismantle stigma and taboo surrounding these topics in the community.

The six fellows include:

Osaze Akil (@osaze_akil) — A contemporary visual artist and experiential designer shaping immersive worlds through art, culture, and imagination.

LaQuann Dawson (@laquanndawson) — A photographer, filmmaker, and multidisciplinary creative whose work moves fluidly between image-making, storytelling, and visual documentation.

Frank Grimsley (@franknthecity) — A content creator, motivational speaker, and Season 4 winner of Netflix’s The Circle, known for bringing humor, heart, and presence into every room he enters.

Shahem McLaurin (@5hahem) — A licensed therapist, social worker, and host of the Freedom Collective Therapy podcast, creating space for healing, reflection, and emotional liberation.

Trey Sherman (@treymous) — A filmmaker, television producer, and co-host of Just Press Play with Ell & Trey, using media as a tool for culture-shifting conversation and connection.

Jay Tibbitts (@jaytibbitts) — A fashion critic, style and culture commentator, and content creator with a sharp eye for the moments where fashion, identity, and pop culture collide.

According to Rashad Burgess, vice president of corporate responsibility for Gilead Sciences, partnerships of this nature align with Gilead’s broader purpose of promoting a future where wellness and equity can coexist.

“Gilead Sciences is proud to support platforms like the Native Son Awards that celebrate leadership, elevate culture, and amplify trusted voices across Black communities,” Burgess said in a news release. “Our work at Gilead is grounded in the belief that scientific breakthroughs only matter if they reach the people they are designed to serve. Through partnerships like this, we’re helping confront stigma, remove barriers to care, and advance healthier, more equitable futures.”

The inaugural class of fellows, all experts in their respective fields, spans a variety of industries, from media and storytelling to mental health and community engagement. The scope of work for the roster of Black LGBTQ+ talent included participation in the organization’s 10th-anniversary awards weekend and contributing their voices to culturally immersive experiences focused on critical health communications. Aside from the awards ceremony, these experiences included an intimate conversation with entertainers Terrell Carter and Jordan E. Cooper during a fireside chat.

As we close out Pride Month, it’s worth noting that the work won’t end there for the creators. In addition to arming them with the tools to amplify their voices, Native Son will continue to support and engage its inaugural class of fellows in extended discourse around a healthier future for our community