Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 333– September 13, 2017

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Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI):
A New Series of Events for Black Gay Men
What does it mean to be a black, gay man
in today’s social climate? Our country prides
itself in being a nation where people of all
walks of life, ethnicities, religions, sexual
orientations and genders are welcomed
and treated respectfully, yet we still have to
remind each other that #BlackLivesMatter.
We’ve made strides regarding civil rights for
the LGBT community, and gay marriage has
become overwhelmingly favorable, but what
message does it send when our White House
erases an LGBT rights page from its website?
Not a good one.
One group of men realize that If anyone is
going to have the best interest of the black,
gay community in mind, it’s the black, gay
community itself. This small but motivated
group has come together with one goal in
mind - to empower, organize and inform
their peers on how they can uplift each other
and improve their lives both personally and
professionally.
They hope to achieve this through the launch
of Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI).
MOBI is a series of curated social connectivity
events for black, gay and queer men to
see their holistic self. The initiative seeks to
cultivate the black, gay community through
MOBItalks, a three-part personal and
professional development series
in Harlem, Brooklyn and the
Bronx. In celebration of black
queer excellence, MOBIfest is a
four-day citywide festival set for
May 2018 that gives voice to the
convergence of interactive arts,
film, fashion and music in black,
queer culture.
affirming and allow other black, gay men to
walk away feeling whole. We’re raising the bar
with MOBI and setting the standard.”
Recognized as the star of the film “Blackbird”
and a cast member on the latest season of
“Being Mary Jane,” Julian Walker was eager
to align himself with a cause that creates
a sense of community among his peers.
“The way that MOBI is going to reach our
community will let them know it’s OK to walk
in your authentic self,” he says. “It’s OK to
have questions and find positive answers.”
The first MOBItalks event will take place on
Saturday, September 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
at Ilan Rubin Studio (14B 53rd Street, 7th Floor,
Brooklyn, NY 11232) and will feature engaging
talks surrounding sexuality, creative expression
and identity with speakers including journalist
and LGBT activist Emil Wilbekin; “Real World”
alum and television host Karamo Brown;
“queer conscious” rapper Jay Boogie; social
commentator Richard Brookshire; and Rico
Pruitt.
You can register to attend for free at
mobi-nyc.com and follow @MOBINYC on
Instagram, Facebook and @MOBI_NYC on
Twitter for updates.
“Being able to have a series
that celebrates black, gay men
is vital,” says Dashawn Usher,
MOBI’s founder and executive
director. “Every person involved
is a black, gay man, and
this showcases not only our
capabilities as a community, but
shows others that it’s possible
to work together on behalf of our
community. Our goal is to put on
amazing events in spaces that are
From left: Erick Nunez, Content Producer; Kenneth Courtney, Publicist;
DaShawn Usher, Founder; Julian Walker, Talent Manager;
D’Ontace Keyes, Content Producer; Steven Duarte, Photo Director;
Anthony Curry, Event Producer - Image by Steven Duarte