Shor Denny Biography Shor Denny is the founder and CEO of Community Now, a nonprofit organization established in Moreno Valley in 2010. Her work focuses on mental wellness, trauma-informed care, resilience, social-emotional development, cultural competency, and community empowerment. Denny studied psychology at Grand Canyon University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Mental Wellness with an Emphasis in Prevention. Her professional work includes community education, life coaching, social justice programming, and resilience initiatives. Through Community Now, Denny has developed programs including GET PLUGGED IN, Me, Myself & Mine, and Coaching for Cultural Success. Her work supports young people, educators, families, and communities in developing coping skills, emotional resilience, cultural understanding, and healthier responses to adversity. Denny also serves as a HOPE Champion for San Diego State University and has participated in trauma-informed community initiatives. Her community work includes initiatives serving Black and LGBTQ+ communities as well as African American family wellness efforts. Denny is the author of Spice Cabinet Healing: A guide on how to use the spices in our kitchen for everyday healing . The book explores everyday healing traditions through common herbs and spices, recipes and remedies, preparation methods, and intergenerational knowledge. BQW Impact Shor Denny brings Black lesbian leadership into mental wellness, trauma-informed education, community organizing, and resilience-building. Through Community Now, she creates programs and educational initiatives that support emotional well-being, coping skills, resilience, and community connection. Her work connects Black and LGBTQ+ community wellness with culturally responsive approaches to healing and prevention. Through Community Now and Spice Cabinet Healing , Denny contributes to community care, intergenerational knowledge, and accessible wellness practices. Notable Works Spice Cabinet Healing: A guide on how to use the spices in our kitchen for everyday healing (2026) Book exploring everyday healing traditions through common herbs and spices, recipes, remedies, preparation methods, and intergenerational knowledge. Community Now (2010) Organization founded by Denny focused on mental wellness, resilience, trauma-informed care, and social-emotional learning. GET PLUGGED IN Community Now program designed to help young people develop coping skills and resilience. Me, Myself & Mine Community Now program focused on resilience and helping young people develop healthier responses to adversity. Coaching for Cultural Success Program supporting educators and administrators through cultural competency, self-care, communication, and emotional intelligence training. Learn More Community Now Official organization founded and led by Denny. Spice Cabinet Healing Amazon listing for Denny's book. 2026 HOPE Summit Profile Current profile documenting Denny's leadership and Community Now's work with Black and LGBTQ+ communities. SDSU Social Policy Institute Institutional resource documenting Denny's leadership, education, wellness work, and community resiliency programs. Grand Canyon University Profile University profile documenting Denny's education, career development, and founding of Community Now. Previous Next

Taylor Cassidy (Ivy Sole) Biography Taylor Cassidy, professionally known as Ivy Sole, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, producer, educator, and multidisciplinary artist whose music blends hip-hop, neo-soul, jazz, and spoken word. Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, and later becoming a prominent voice in Philadelphia's independent music scene, she has built a career distinguished by thoughtful lyricism, genre-blending production, and a commitment to authenticity. Her work frequently explores Black identity, queerness, spirituality, education, and personal growth through reflective storytelling. Ivy Sole emerged as a leading voice in independent hip-hop with projects including Eden , West , Overgrown , Candid , and SOUTHPAW . Her music has been praised for its emotional honesty, intricate songwriting, and willingness to engage with subjects such as faith, mental health, race, and self-discovery. She has collaborated with artists including Masego and Saba while cultivating a loyal audience drawn to her distinctive artistic voice and socially conscious perspective. Alongside her recording career, Ivy Sole has worked as an educator and public speaker, using music as a catalyst for dialogue about equity, community, and healing. Through performances, interviews, and creative collaborations, she continues to advocate for more inclusive spaces within music while encouraging listeners to embrace vulnerability, curiosity, and collective care. BQW Impact Ivy Sole has broadened the landscape of contemporary hip-hop by creating music that centers Black queer experiences with honesty, vulnerability, and intellectual depth. Her work challenges traditional expectations of the genre while demonstrating that conversations about identity, spirituality, mental health, and justice can coexist with artistic innovation. As an openly queer artist and educator, Ivy Sole has become an important voice for listeners seeking authentic representation within independent music. Her commitment to community, thoughtful storytelling, and cultural dialogue continues to inspire artists and audiences navigating the intersections of Blackness, queerness, and creative expression. Notable Works Overgrown (2018) Critically acclaimed album exploring identity, healing, faith, and personal transformation through hip-hop, soul, and jazz-influenced production. Candid (2022) Full-length album examining vulnerability, relationships, self-reflection, and emotional growth through richly layered songwriting and soulful production. Eden (2016) Independent debut album introducing Ivy Sole's introspective lyricism and genre-blending approach to hip-hop and soul. West (2017) EP exploring identity, purpose, and belonging while showcasing her evolving artistic voice. SOUTHPAW (2020) Six-track EP blending introspective lyricism with themes of resilience, justice, identity, and personal growth through Ivy Sole's signature fusion of hip-hop, soul, and jazz. Learn More Official Website Explore Ivy Sole's official website featuring music, tour dates, merchandise, and current creative projects. Bandcamp Listen to Ivy Sole's independent releases and explore her complete discography directly from the artist. Wikipedia Read an overview of her career, musical style, collaborations, and artistic background. Instagram Follow Ivy Sole for updates on music, performances, community engagement, and creative projects. Previous Next

Seimone Augustus Biography Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Augustus became one of the most decorated players in LSU women's basketball history. She led LSU to three consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances from 2004 through 2006 and was named national player of the year in both 2005 and 2006. She finished her LSU career with 2,702 points and was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2006 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. Augustus spent 14 of her 15 WNBA seasons with the Minnesota Lynx, winning four WNBA championships and earning 2006 Rookie of the Year and 2011 Finals MVP honors. She was an eight-time WNBA All-Star and a 2012 All-WNBA First Team selection. She represented the United States at three Olympic Games, winning gold medals in Beijing in 2008, London in 2012, and Rio de Janeiro in 2016. After completing her playing career with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2020, she joined the Sparks' coaching staff in 2021 before returning to LSU as an assistant coach in 2024. Augustus was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. She was also inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2024. BQW Impact Augustus is an important figure in the history of Black women in professional sports and LGBTQ+ visibility in the WNBA. She publicly identified as a lesbian and spoke openly about her relationship with LaTaya Varner while advocating against Minnesota's proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in 2012. Augustus said she wanted to use her platform to encourage people to feel comfortable with themselves and to encourage families to support LGBTQ+ loved ones. Augustus became one of the defining players of the Minnesota Lynx's championship era while also contributing to LGBTQ+ visibility in elite women's professional basketball. Her continued work as a coach at LSU gives her an ongoing role in women's basketball. Notable Works LSU Women's Basketball (2002 - 2006) Led LSU to three consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances and became a two-time national Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. She finished her career with 2,702 points. Minnesota Lynx (2006 - 2019) The defining professional chapter of Augustus's career. She spent 14 of her 15 WNBA seasons with Minnesota, winning four championships, earning 2006 Rookie of the Year, and being named 2011 Finals MVP. Team USA Basketball (2008 - 2016) Won three consecutive Olympic gold medals with the United States at the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Games. Los Angeles Sparks (2020 - 2021) Finished her WNBA playing career with Los Angeles in 2020 and later served as an assistant coach for the Sparks in 2021. LSU Women's Basketball Staff (2024) Returned to LSU in 2024 as an assistant coach, continuing her connection to the program where she established her collegiate legacy. Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (2024) Inducted as a member of the 2024 class in recognition of her collegiate, professional, and international basketball career. Learn More Official Website Augustus's official website and professional information. LSU Athletics Current LSU coaching profile and detailed career biography. Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Official Hall of Fame profile and career record. WNBA WNBA career profile and historical player information. Previous Next

Arlo Parks Biography Born Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho in London in 2000, Parks is of Nigerian, Chadian, and French heritage. She began writing poetry and music as a teenager and released her debut single, “Cola,” in 2018. Her debut album, Collapsed in Sunbeams (2021), reached No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart and won the 2021 Mercury Prize. Parks followed with My Soft Machine (2023), an album exploring intimacy, anxiety, love, and self-discovery. She also published The Magic Border: Poetry and Fragments From My Soft Machine (2023), combining poetry, lyrics, and fragments connected to her music. Parks released her third studio album, Ambiguous Desire , on April 3, 2026. The album incorporates electronic and dance influences alongside her songwriting and explores desire, connection, and nightlife. BQW Impact Parks' significance to BQW comes from the intersection of her Black identity, bisexuality, and openly bisexual creative work. She has directly discussed her bisexuality and described her queer identity as an intrinsic part of her music and songwriting. Her songwriting explores queer desire, relationships, vulnerability, and coming of age. “Green Eyes” explores a relationship between two women, contributing to greater visibility for queer people of color in contemporary music. Notable Works Collapsed in Sunbeams (2021) Debut studio album that won the 2021 Mercury Prize. My Soft Machine (2023) Second studio album exploring love, anxiety, intimacy, and self-discovery. The Magic Border: Poetry and Fragments From My Soft Machine (2023) Debut poetry collection combining poems, lyrics, and fragments. Ambiguous Desire (2026) Third studio album incorporating electronic and dance influences and exploring desire, connection, and nightlife. Learn More Arlo Parks Official Website Official music, releases, tour information, and current projects. Instagram@arloparks Parks' public Instagram account. Official Linktree Central hub for Parks' verified social and streaming accounts. Previous Next

Zainab Donli (Lady Donli) Biography Lady Donli, born Zainab Elizabeth Donli, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer recognized as one of the defining artists of Nigeria's Alté movement. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised primarily in Abuja and Kaduna, she studied law at the University of Surrey before leaving to pursue music full time. Her sound blends Afrobeats, alternative R&B, jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop, reflecting both Nigerian musical traditions and global influences. Following early releases including the EPs What Is Perfect? (2016), Wallflower (2017), and Letters to Her (2018), Lady Donli gained widespread recognition with her debut studio album, Enjoy Your Life (2019). She continued to develop her Pan-African musical vision with Pan African Rockstar (2023), collaborating with artists from across the continent while helping define the creative spirit of the Alté movement through fearless experimentation and genre-defying music. Beyond her music, Lady Donli has become an important cultural voice for authenticity and self-expression. In a National Geographic feature, she publicly identified herself as "a queer Black woman," describing freedom as living without fear that her identity would stand in the way of her ambitions. Her work continues to celebrate individuality, African creativity, and the power of artists to shape culture on their own terms. BQW Impact Lady Donli has helped redefine contemporary African music by bringing queer visibility, genre experimentation, and Pan-African identity into the mainstream Alté movement. Through her music and public advocacy for authenticity and self-expression, she has become an influential voice for Black queer creatives navigating artistic freedom within environments where LGBTQ+ communities continue to face significant social and legal challenges. Her work demonstrates how music can challenge convention while celebrating individuality, cultural pride, and creative freedom. Notable Works Wallflower (2017) Early EP that established Lady Donli's distinctive blend of Afrobeats, soul, jazz, and alternative R&B within Nigeria's emerging Alté scene. Enjoy Your Life (2019) Debut studio album celebrated for its genre-blending sound and Pan-African musical influences. "Cash" (2019) Signature single, later remixed with Davido, that introduced Lady Donli to a broader international audience. W I L D (2021) Experimental EP showcasing her continued artistic evolution through alternative production and global musical influences. Pan African Rockstar (2023) Sophomore album expanding her Pan-African artistic vision through collaborations and innovative production. Learn More Official Website Explore Lady Donli's official website for music, performances, news, and creative projects. Apple Music Lady Donli Browse Lady Donli's complete discography, including albums, EPs, singles, and collaborations. Official YouTube Watch official music videos, live performances, and exclusive content from Lady Donli. National Geographic How Queer and Nonconformist Creators Are Redefining What It Means to Be Nigerian Read Lady Donli's reflections on identity, freedom, creativity, and her experience as a queer Black woman in Nigeria. Instagram (@ladydonli) Follow Lady Donli's official Instagram for new music, performances, collaborations, and creative updates. Previous Next

Autumn Breon Biography Based in Los Angeles, Breon studied Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University before developing a multidisciplinary art practice grounded in queer Black feminist traditions. Her work draws on performance, sculpture, installation, digital imagery, and participatory practices to examine liberation, identity, memory, and collective care. Breon's projects have been presented and commissioned by organizations including Art Production Fund, Frieze, Hauser & Wirth, the Brooklyn Museum, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Her recent work includes Leisure Lives (2023) and The Care Machine (2024), projects addressing Black leisure, reproductive care, and community. Breon remains active as a Los Angeles-based artist. Her 2026 projects include The Maroon Station , a performative installation presented at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee Civic Rights Museum, and Maroon Portals , which extends her exploration of Black self-determination, speculative world-building, care, and queer relational aesthetics. BQW Impact Breon's work directly connects Black queer feminist thought with contemporary artistic practice. She uses performance and public art to explore liberation, care, Black women's experiences, and alternative ways of imagining queer Black life. Her projects address issues affecting Black women, including economic inequality, reproductive autonomy, and access to care. This combination of queer Black feminist practice and community-oriented art makes her a significant contemporary BQW creator. Notable Works Don't Use Me (2022) Performance examining the lost time associated with Black women's wage inequality. Leisure Lives (2023) Public art project honoring the history of Black leisure at Santa Monica's Bay Street Beach. The Care Machine (2024) Public-art installation offering reproductive-health resources and other forms of care identified by Black women. Maroon Portals (2026) Project exploring Black self-determination, speculative world-building, care, and queer relational aesthetics. Learn More Autumn Breon's Official Website Biography, portfolio, exhibitions, and current projects. Instagram — @autumnbreon Breon's public Instagram account. Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture Current professional information and 2026 project documentation. Previous Next

Lifestyle Adaku Utah Adaku Utah is a Nigerian American healing justice practitioner, somatics practitioner, multidisciplinary artist, and educator whose work centers embodiment, collective care, and Black liberation. Read More Sonya Renee Taylor Poet, author, activist, educator, and founder best known for advancing the global body liberation movement through her writing on radical self-love, social justice, and intersectional liberation. Read More adrienne maree brown adrienne maree brown is an American writer, facilitator, movement strategist, podcaster, and artist whose multidisciplinary work connects Black feminism, transformative justice, speculative fiction, pleasure, healing, and collective liberation. Her practice spans writing, facilitation, music, podcasts, somatics, and movement building. Read More Jennifer Mullan Jennifer Mullan, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, author, educator, speaker, and founder of Decolonizing Therapy, a framework that examines mental health through political, historical, ancestral, and systemic perspectives. Read More Shor Denny Shor Denny is an African American community leader, mental wellness advocate, educator, author, and founder and CEO of Community Now. Her work centers trauma-informed care, resilience, cultural competency, and wellness, with a particular focus on Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Read More

Media & Journalism Leone Ross Leone Ross is a British-Jamaican novelist, short story writer, editor, journalist, and academic whose fiction explores race, sexuality, gender, identity, and Caribbean life through speculative and surreal literary forms. Read More Jasmyne Cannick Jasmyne Cannick is a journalist, political strategist, cultural commentator, producer, and community advocate whose work connects journalism, politics, culture, and civic accountability with the lived experiences of Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Read More Briana Lawrence Briana Lawrence is a Black queer writer, author, editor, and pop-culture journalist whose work spans fiction, nonfiction, manga and anime criticism, and fandom culture. She is the author of The Essential Manga Guide and the Fantasy Pin World series and creator of magnifiqueNOIR, a series centered on Black queer magical girls. Read More Linda Villarosa Linda Villarosa is a journalist, author, educator, and editor whose work spans health journalism, racial inequality, social justice, and Black Studies. Her reporting and books have examined health disparities, racism, HIV/AIDS, and the experiences of Black communities, while her journalism has also addressed LGBTQ+ issues. Read More Irene Monroe Rev. Irene Monroe is an American African American lesbian feminist public theologian, ordained minister, writer, and activist whose work connects faith, race, LGBTQ+ justice, and social change. Read More Paula Akpan A Black British historian, writer, and journalist whose work explores Black British history, race, gender, and queer identity. She is the author of When We Ruled: The Rise and Fall of Twelve African Queens and Warriors and co-founder of Black Girl Fest. Read More Sokari Ekine Writer, journalist, editor, photographer, and LGBTQ+ activist best known for documenting African queer communities through journalism, digital media, photography, and groundbreaking editorial work. Read More

Music Taylor Cassidy (Ivy Sole) Rapper, singer-songwriter, producer, and educator best known for introspective music exploring Black identity, queerness, spirituality, mental health, and social justice through hip-hop, R&B, and soul. Read More Tracy Chapman Singer-songwriter and guitarist whose socially conscious songwriting, distinctive acoustic sound, and emotionally direct storytelling have made her one of the most influential artists in contemporary folk and popular music. Read More Oya Noire Oya Noire is a Haitian-American R&B and soul singer and songwriter from Brooklyn whose music draws from gospel, jazz, and contemporary soul. She publicly identifies as queer and has built a career as a recording and performing artist. Read More Ma Rainey American blues singer and performer known as the “Mother of the Blues.” A pioneering recording artist, she helped popularize the blues as a recorded musical form, and her recordings included themes of sexuality and references to relationships between women. Read More Bessie Smith Bessie Smith was an American blues singer known as the “Empress of the Blues” and one of the most influential recording artists of the 1920s. Historical and Smithsonian documentation identifies Smith as bisexual and records relationships with both men and women. Her recordings addressed love, sexuality, hardship, and Black women's experiences, establishing a lasting legacy in blues, jazz, and Black queer cultural history. Read More Meshell Ndegeocello American singer-songwriter, bassist, composer, and activist whose genre-spanning work incorporates jazz, soul, funk, R&B, rock, hip-hop, and experimental approaches. Her music explores Black identity, sexuality, spirituality, social justice, and political expression. Read More Sydney Loren Bennett (Syd) Singer-songwriter, producer, audio engineer, and performer best known as the lead vocalist of The Internet and for shaping contemporary alternative R&B through innovative production, intimate songwriting, and authentic queer representation. Read More Monica Simpson American activist, organizer, singer, spoken-word artist, and reproductive-justice leader whose work centers reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ liberation, racial justice, and community organizing. She is Executive Director of SisterSong. Read More Toya Delazy Toya Delazy is a South African Zulu singer-songwriter, rapper, producer, pianist, and electronic artist who created the AfroRave movement, blending Indigenous Zulu language and storytelling with rave, jungle, drum and bass, techno, and other electronic sounds. A queer, gender-non-confirming artist based in London, she uses music and performance to explore African identity, ancestry, cultural reclamation, and artistic freedom. Read More Arlo Parks Arlo Parks is a British Black bisexual singer, songwriter, poet, and musician whose work combines intimate songwriting with indie pop, alternative R&B, soul, and spoken-word influences. Her music explores love, identity, vulnerability, grief, desire, and queer experience. Read More Kelela Mizanekristos Kelela Mizanekristos is an American singer and songwriter whose experimental R&B and electronic music connects Black queer identity with club culture, contemporary production, and intimate songwriting. Her work spans albums, live performance, remix culture, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Read More Kehlani Ashley Parrish Kehlani Ashley Parrish is an American singer and songwriter whose R&B-centered music incorporates pop, hip-hop, electronic, and contemporary influences. Their work explores love, identity, vulnerability, community, and personal transformation across recordings, songwriting, and performance. Read More Siyah Wellman (Siya) Rapper, songwriter, actress, and television personality best known for her independent hip-hop career, emotionally honest lyricism, and visibility as one of the few openly lesbian artists to gain national recognition in mainstream rap. Read More Shungudzo Kuyimba Singer-songwriter, producer, author, and activist best known for blending pop, alternative, and electronic music with thoughtful explorations of identity, social justice, and the Black queer experience. Read More Deborah Anne Dyer (Skin) Skin, born Deborah Anne Dyer, is a Black British queer singer, songwriter, musician, author, DJ, and activist best known as the lead vocalist of Skunk Anansie. Her career has challenged conventions around race, gender, sexuality, and identity in British rock and alternative music. Read More Diana De Brito (IAMDDB) IAMDDB, born Diana Adelaide Rocha De Brito, is an Angolan British singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, and performer whose self-described Urban Jazz blends jazz, hip-hop, trap, R&B, soul, and global musical influences. Read More Dai Burger Dai Burger is a Black queer rapper, dancer, creative, and entrepreneur whose work blends hip-hop, club music, fashion, and performance. A Queens native, she is known for her contributions to New York's underground queer music scene and for creating opportunities for women and young creatives through her community work. Read More Joy Oladokun Joy Oladokun is an American singer-songwriter whose genre-crossing music draws from folk, country, R&B, soul, pop, rock, and Americana. A Nigerian American and openly lesbian artist, she writes candidly about identity, faith, mental health, social justice, relationships, and belonging. Read More Moonchild Sanelly South African singer, songwriter, dancer, and performer known for her self-described “future ghetto funk” sound, bold visual style, and work centered on female sexual empowerment, self-expression, and liberation. Read More Zainab Donli (Lady Donli) Singer, songwriter, and Alté artist best known for blending Afrobeats, alternative R&B, jazz, and soul while expanding creative and queer representation in contemporary African music. Read More Kelsey Lu Kelsey Lu is an American singer, cellist, songwriter, composer, producer, and performance artist known for blending classical training with experimental music, contemporary R&B, electronic sound, and multidisciplinary performance. Read More Dope Saint Jude Dope Saint Jude is a Cape Town based rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and performer whose genre-bending work brings queer identity, feminism, social commentary, and South African cultural experience into contemporary hip hop. Read More Shawntae Harris (Da Brat) Shawntae Harris, known professionally as Da Brat, is a Chicago-born rapper, actress, and television personality whose 1994 debut Funkdafied made her the first solo female rapper to achieve a platinum album. Read More Shayna McHayle (Junglepussy) Shayna McHayle, known professionally as Junglepussy, is a Brooklyn-born rapper and actress whose independent music career includes the mixtape Satisfaction Guaranteed, the studio albums JP3 and JP4, and the EP JP5000. She has also appeared in films including Support the Girls, The Perfect Find, and One Battle After Another. Read More Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon (Doechii) Doechii, born Jaylah Hickmon, is a Tampa-born rapper, singer, and songwriter whose genre-crossing music has brought Black womanhood, bisexual identity, and contemporary hip-hop into a growing international audience. Read More Janelle Monáe Janelle Monáe is an American nonbinary singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and author whose Afrofuturist work explores Black identity, queerness, gender freedom, and liberation across music, film, literature, and visual storytelling. Read More Tedra Wilson (TT The Artist) Filmmaker, director, music artist, and creative entrepreneur best known for celebrating Black music, dance, and culture through award-winning documentaries, visual storytelling, and multidisciplinary artistic practice. Read More Amaarae Ghanaian-American singer, songwriter, and producer best known for blending Afropop, alternative R&B, and global pop while expanding queer visibility in African music. Read More Khadija Mbowe Khadija Mbowe is a Gambian-Canadian-American multidisciplinary creator, singer, performer, writer, educator, and cultural commentator whose work explores race, gender, sexuality, identity, media, and popular culture across digital media, music, podcasting, and performance. Read More Yvette Flunder Bishop, pastor, theologian, author, and gospel singer best known for advancing radically inclusive Black Christian ministries and affirming faith communities. Read More

Literature Lynn Carol Finney (Nikki Finney) Nikky Finney is an award-winning American poet, author, educator, and editor whose work explores Black Southern history, memory, social justice, sexuality, family, and African American life. Read More Yrsa Daley-Ward British writer, poet, memoirist, and actress of Jamaican and Nigerian heritage whose work explores identity, sexuality, mental health, healing, and the complexities of Black womanhood across poetry, memoir, fiction, performance, and screenwriting. Read More Angelique V. Nixon Angelique V. Nixon is a Bahamas-born Black Queer writer, poet, artist, scholar, educator, and activist whose work examines sexuality, gender, feminism, diaspora, and social justice across Caribbean literature, culture, and political life. Read More Akwaeke Emezi Nigerian storyteller, visual artist, and author whose award-winning fiction, memoir, poetry, and multidisciplinary work explore indigenous Black realities, spirituality, identity, embodiment, and radical imagination. Read More Samiya Bashir Samiya Bashir is an African-American poet, writer, librettist, performer, and multimedia poetry maker whose work explores race, gender, sexuality, the body, culture, and identity. She is a co-founder of Fire & Ink, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ writers of African descent, and served as executive director of Lambda Literary from 2022 to 2023. Read More Audre Lorde Audre Lorde was a Black lesbian poet, essayist, educator, librarian, feminist, and activist whose writing confronted racism, sexism, homophobia, and class inequality. Her work connected personal experience with broader struggles for liberation and helped shape Black feminist and queer thought. Read More Arlo Parks Arlo Parks is a British Black bisexual singer, songwriter, poet, and musician whose work combines intimate songwriting with indie pop, alternative R&B, soul, and spoken-word influences. Her music explores love, identity, vulnerability, grief, desire, and queer experience. Read More Pat Parker An African-American lesbian poet, writer, and activist whose work explored race, sexuality, feminism, violence, and women's lives. She also directed a women's health center in Oakland and founded organizations supporting Black feminist and women's organizing. Read More Alexis De Veaux American author, poet, biographer, playwright, and educator whose work has advanced Black feminist literature, LGBTQ+ history, and the preservation of Black women's cultural legacies. Read More Staceyann Chin Poet, spoken-word artist, memoirist, playwright, and LGBTQ+ activist best known for powerful works exploring Black identity, sexuality, migration, motherhood, and social justice through poetry, performance, and memoir. Read More Alice Walker Pulitzer Prize-winning author, poet, and activist best known for The Color Purple and for coining the term womanism, a foundational concept in Black feminist thought. Read More Khadijah Queen Khadijah Queen is an American poet, author, essayist, and educator whose work explores race, gender, sexuality, memory, the body, and lived experience through poetry, hybrid prose, creative nonfiction, and performance writing. Read More Alexis Pauline Gumbs American writer, poet, scholar, educator, and community organizer whose work explores Black feminism, ecological justice, spirituality, and collective liberation through literature, education, and movement building. Read More Camonghne Felix Camonghne Felix is a Black queer poet, essayist, writer, and political strategist whose work explores Black identity, sexuality, love, trauma, freedom, and the political possibilities of language. She is the author of Build Yourself a Boat, Dyscalculia, and Let the Poets Govern. Read More Cheryl Clarke Cheryl Clarke is an African American poet, essayist, literary scholar, educator, and lesbian feminist activist whose work explores Black women's lives, sexuality, race, feminism, and LGBTQ+ liberation. Read More Jacqueline Woodson Jacqueline Woodson is an American writer of fiction, poetry, memoir, and children's and young adult literature whose award-winning work centers Black childhood, family, memory, identity, and belonging across generations. Read More Morgan Parker American poet, essayist, and novelist whose work explores Black womanhood, race, sexuality, mental health, desire, and popular culture through poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Read More Jewelle Gomez Jewelle Gomez is an American novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, and cultural worker whose work explores Black lesbian identity, Indigenous and African diasporic heritage, feminism, sexuality, history, and community. She is the author of The Gilda Stories, a groundbreaking Black lesbian vampire novel first published in 1991. Read More Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene Nigerian poet, novelist, performance artist, educator, and activist best known for centering queer African love, identity, and liberation through literature, multidisciplinary performance, and community-based arts practice. Read More Koleka Putuma Koleka Putuma is a South African poet, playwright, theatre practitioner, and creative producer whose work explores Blackness, womanhood, queer identity, race, religion, relationships, and the legacies of apartheid. Read More Sonya Renee Taylor Poet, author, activist, educator, and founder best known for advancing the global body liberation movement through her writing on radical self-love, social justice, and intersectional liberation. Read More Sharon Bridgforth Sharon Bridgforth is an African-American lesbian writer and performing artist whose work combines theater, poetry, storytelling, music, and ritual. She developed what she calls theatrical jazz, using performance and literature to explore Black Southern migration, queer identity, ancestry, memory, and community. Read More Cheryl Boyce-Taylor Cheryl Boyce-Taylor is a Trinidadian poet, teaching artist, curator, and performer whose work connects Caribbean and New York experiences with motherhood, migration, sexuality, grief, and Black womanhood through poetry and performance. Read More Dionne Brand Dionne Brand is an acclaimed Trinidadian Canadian poet, novelist, essayist, filmmaker, and educator whose work explores Black life, migration, diaspora, sexuality, gender, colonialism, memory, and belonging. Read More Unoma Azuah Nigerian poet, novelist, memoirist, editor, scholar, and educator whose literary and scholarly work centers sexuality, gender, identity, and the lives of LGBTQ+ Nigerians, with particular significance for the documentation and visibility of lesbian African experiences. Read More

Sports Layshia Clarendon Layshia Clarendon is an American former professional basketball player, broadcaster, and advocate whose career combines elite basketball with LGBTQ+ visibility, racial justice, player advocacy, and community leadership. Read More Cappie Pondexter Cappie Pondexter is a former WNBA player and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer who won two WNBA championships and an Olympic gold medal and became a seven-time All-Star and publicly out queer athlete. Read More Sheryl Swoopes Sheryl Swoopes is a Hall of Fame basketball player who helped establish the WNBA, becoming its first player signed and winning three MVP awards, four championships with the Houston Comets, and three Olympic gold medals. Read More Renee Montgomery Renee Montgomery is a former WNBA player, sports executive, team owner, broadcaster, entrepreneur, and social justice advocate. A two-time WNBA champion and former All-Star, she became the first former WNBA player to hold both an ownership stake and an executive position with a WNBA team. Read More Seimone Augustus Seimone Augustus is an African-American basketball player and coach whose career includes four WNBA championships, three Olympic gold medals, and induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. She currently serves as an assistant coach for LSU women's basketball. Read More Briann January Briann January is a former WNBA player and current assistant coach whose career includes a WNBA championship, an All-Star selection, seven All-Defensive Team honors, and documented community work supporting LGBTQ+ youth. She currently serves as an assistant coach for the Indiana Fever. Read More Chamique Holdsclaw Chamique Holdsclaw is an African-American basketball player, Hall of Famer, and mental-health advocate who became one of the WNBA’s most prominent players during its early years. Read More Natasha Cloud American professional basketball player and social justice advocate who has built a career as a guard in the WNBA. A 2019 WNBA champion and three-time All-Defensive selection, Cloud is known for her defense, playmaking, leadership, and activism. She currently plays for the Chicago Sky and has publicly identified as bisexual. Read More Brittney Griner Brittney Griner is an American professional basketball player and one of the most accomplished centers in WNBA history. Known for her defensive presence, shot blocking, scoring, and athleticism, she has built a decorated career in the WNBA and internationally while becoming one of the most visible Black lesbian athletes in professional sports. Read More DeWanna Bonner DeWanna Bonner is a professional basketball player whose 17-season WNBA career includes two championships, six All-Star selections, and three Sixth Player of the Year awards. A longtime Phoenix Mercury star, she is one of the most accomplished players in WNBA history. Read More Alyssa Thomas Olympic gold medalist and WNBA All-Star best known as one of the greatest all-around players in league history, redefining the forward position through elite playmaking, defense, and versatility. Read More Angel McCoughtry Angel McCoughtry is a Black lesbian former WNBA player, two-time Olympic gold medalist, filmmaker, producer, and media personality. The No. 1 overall selection in the 2009 WNBA Draft, she became a five-time WNBA All-Star, two-time scoring champion, and seven-time All-Defensive Team honoree before expanding her career into film, sports media, and storytelling. Read More

Screen & Stage Janelle Monáe Janelle Monáe is an American nonbinary singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and author whose Afrofuturist work explores Black identity, queerness, gender freedom, and liberation across music, film, literature, and visual storytelling. Read More Jasmin Savoy Brown Jasmin Savoy Brown is an American actor, producer, and singer-songwriter known for Yellowjackets, the Scream franchise, and queer-focused media projects including The Homo Schedule, Queer for Fear, and Today in Gay. Read More Tessa Thompson Actor and producer best known for acclaimed performances across independent film, television, and major studio productions while advancing greater representation for Black women and LGBTQ+ communities in entertainment. Read More Shawntae Harris (Da Brat) Shawntae Harris, known professionally as Da Brat, is a Chicago-born rapper, actress, and television personality whose 1994 debut Funkdafied made her the first solo female rapper to achieve a platinum album. Read More Wanda Sykes Wanda Sykes is an Emmy Award winning comedian and actor whose sharp observational comedy, writing, and television work have made her a major voice in American entertainment and an important Black lesbian presence in mainstream comedy. Read More Samira Wiley Samira Wiley is an African-American actress and producer known for her roles as Poussey Washington in Orange Is the New Black and Moira Strand in The Handmaid's Tale. Her work spans television, film, theater, and producing. She received a Primetime Emmy Award for The Handmaid's Tale and the GLAAD Vito Russo Award for her contribution to LGBTQ+ visibility. Read More Raven-Symoné Raven-Symoné is an American actress, singer, producer, director, and television personality whose career spans more than three decades. She became a major figure in children's television through That's So Raven, becoming the first Black woman to have her name in the title of a comedy series, and later expanded her work into producing and directing. Read More Jerrie Johnson Jerrie Johnson is an American actress, poet, writer, and arts activist whose work centers Black queer representation, storytelling, and creative expression. Originally from Philadelphia, she is best known for portraying Tye Reynolds on Harlem and has also worked across television, film, poetry, and the arts. Read More Niecy Nash-Betts Emmy Award-winning American actress, comedian, producer, and television host whose career spans comedy, drama, film, and unscripted television. She rose to prominence through Reno 911! and Clean House before earning acclaim for Getting On, Claws, When They See Us, and Dahmer: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. She has also become a prominent public representative of Black queer women, speaking openly about her marriage to Jessica Betts and her identity as a Black queer woman. Read More Gina Yashere Gina Yashere is a British Nigerian comedian, actor, writer, and producer known for stand-up, television, and her work as co-creator and executive producer of Bob Hearts Abishola. She currently appears as Lura Thok in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Read More Lena Waithe Lena Waithe is an American writer, producer, actor, and television creator whose work centers Black life, identity, relationships, and queer experiences across film and television, including Master of None, The Chi, Queen & Slim, and Twenties. Read More Amandla Stenberg Actor, musician, and activist best known for The Hate U Give and for advancing conversations about race, gender, and LGBTQ+ representation through art and advocacy. Read More Khadija Mbowe Khadija Mbowe is a Gambian-Canadian-American multidisciplinary creator, singer, performer, writer, educator, and cultural commentator whose work explores race, gender, sexuality, identity, media, and popular culture across digital media, music, podcasting, and performance. Read More Franchesca Ramsey Franchesca Ramsey, also known as Chescaleigh, is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and public speaker whose work uses humor and social commentary to explore race, culture, identity, and social issues. She created and starred in MTV Decoded and has worked across television, digital media, publishing, and podcasting. Read More