What would it mean to codify Roe vs Wade? Is it time we stop this fight for reproductive rights and pass a law that would affirm a pregnant person’s right to an abortion without undue interference? In May, one of nation’s strictest abortion measures, banning procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy was signed into law in Texas and opened the door for almost any private citizen to sue abortion providers and others. Women across the country raised their voices in protest over this latest attack on their bodies and prepared for the coming battle in the courts to defend Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to the procedure. With the current number of conservative-leaning justices sitting on the supreme court the possibility that the decision might be overruled is very, very real. On Sunday, October 24th there will be a rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan to protest the recent passing of Senate Bill 8 in Texas and an abortion case being on the upcoming Supreme Court docket. The rally is being hosted by the Lunar Doula Support Network’s Lunar Doula Collective. The Collective’s mission is to provide compassionate support, free of charge, to individuals experiencing pregnancy loss or termination. This student organization Has a mission to normalize social discourse surrounding reproductive health working through community education and training to advocate for appropriate sexual and reproductive healthcare. The Lunar Doula Collective's Ishi Shukla talks about the issue and the rally which takes place on the University of Michigan Diag in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1-2 PM

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Collection by Michelle Brown wsg Ishi Shakula on 10/24/21 Rally in Arbor

How do you go from a casual deck conversation to building an organization that brings support and visibility to the LGBTQIA+ community? How do you plan during a pandemic and host the first-ever PRIDE celebration not in June but in October? Chris Kipp is a member of Macomb County Pride's board. He takes us on the journey from that conversation on Board chair Pil Gilchrist's deck to building support from local municipalities for recognition of June as PRIDE month. He talks about how buy-in from area businesses meant more than putting up a rainbow sticker but a commitment to being welcoming and inclusive after the celebration ended. With covid, planning the event took many twists and turns but now the community is ready to celebrate beginning October 15-17th with events including a pub crawl, outdoor festival, and closing with a drag brunch. Macomb County Pride's mission is to create a supportive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community and to be a resource in Macomb County where the dignity of all people is affirmed and respected.

Building the Dream: The story behind Macomb County's First PRIDE celebration

Pamela E. Alexander is no stranger to Collections by Michelle Brown-Blog Radio. Being of service to community is just who she is and something she instills in all everyone she meets. This Gold Star Mother, honors the life of her son SSGT Vincent J. Bell, supporting other military families and working with her daughter London Bell as part of the Bell Global Justice Institute named in his honor. She served for many years before retiring as the deputy director of the Ruth Ellis Center serving LGBTQ youth in southeastern Michigan and established the “Kofi House: Center for Lesbian and Queer Women & Girls. Her research on the life and achievements of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray introduced may at the Kofi House to this LGBTQ pioneer in civil rights. Retirement has not slowed her down one bit. A born and raised in Macomb, MI she is no working to ensure her hometown and county are diverse and inclusive. Since February 2021 Pamela leads the Northern Macomb County NAACP Branch as president of the chapter. In October 2021 Macomb County will hold its first LGBTQ Pride celebration in downtown Mt. Clemens, MI. Pamela joins us to talk about all of this and the amazing synchronicity that her commitment to social justice brings to everything she touches.

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Macomb County's Pamela E Alexander

What happens to a PRIDE celebration deferred? Deferred by a pandemic that has cancelled or made most of our community interactions virtual? June was eerily quiet without our celebrations, but our PRIDE didn’t diminish, dry up or go away. We just held on to our rainbow flags, marching shoes and even a little glitter to come roaring back for Ferndale Pride this October. Julia Music who was first recruited by Craig Covey and Monica Mills to help organize Ferndale Pride, faced the pandemic challenges head on and pivoted to make this fall’s PRIDE celebration memorable as well as safe. You will still see the vendors, sponsors, great entertainment and be welcomed by many smiling volunteers including the recognition of one long term volunteer. Most activities will be held outdoors but the doors of Affirmations Community Center will be open with some special events. Last year was a virtual Pride. This year it’s Pride in October. Next year, plans are underway to return to June which means little rest for the goddess/queen of Ferndale Pride Julia Music.

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Ferndale Pride's Julia Music

Her name is Jackie Jones and let her tell you about her experience. Most recently, she was a Junior Account Executive at Van Dyke Horn, a Detroit-based public relations firm. At VDH, she worked on local and state-wide initiatives such as Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency, Marathon Petroleum Company, and the City of Detroit's Strategic Neighborhood Fund. Previously, she served as a Public Relations Assistant at Bloom Transformation Center, a wellness center focused on mental health awareness, in downtown Detroit. At the center, she worked with its director and CEO, Dr. Rose Moten, on all media strategies, administrative details, and community engagements. Specifically, she developed the center’s annual Sedona retreat, gong meditation events, and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE®) programs. Additionally, she was a Marketing intern at the Museum of African Art in Culture in Portland, ME, and an editorial intern at DBusiness Magazine, where I copy-edited, reported, and published daily content. At DBusiness, she contributed to On the Move, the Tech and Mobility Newsletter, and DBusiness’ Daily News. Jackie graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. 

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG News & Features Editor Jackie Jones

CritterKin is a children's media property that uses stories and project-based learning programs to teach kids social-emotional and core communication skills. It is the brainchild of multimedia storyteller Jena Ball who has 25 years of professional writing and editing experience, 15 years of designing and teaching online courses, 13 years working on immersive learning environments in 3D worlds. Jena has spent 12 years working as the Creative Director for the CritterKin Coalition. The CritterKin Coalition is a community composed of creative professionals, educators, parents, and community members, businesses, and organizations that understand education is a lived experience extending far beyond the classroom. The mission is to make emotional intelligence (EQ) a priority and help each child discover, develop, and share their unique interests and abilities.  Of all the things learned from working on CritterKin these past 10 years, is that it takes a global community to raise our kids. That community needs to be composed of creative professionals, educators, parents, and the community. Even before the pandemic many parents were questioning the quality of education especially in public schools.  Was the focus on “teaching to the test” failing our children? Were standard lesson plans keeping children from being able to think critically? Were their minds being influenced by media images that limit the ability to be empathetic, compassionate and communicate?  

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Critter Kin Collective's Founder Jena Ball

Mary Anne Adams journey began in Mississippi, passed through Michigan but she found her home in Atlanta. She is Federal Housing Commissioner Chair at the East Point housing Authority and President/CEO at The Adams Research Group. But most importantly she is the Founder and Executive Director of Zami NOBLA – The National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging. The organization builds a national base of power centering Black lesbians 40+ through service, advocacy, and community-action research while promoting positive aging through a social justice framework. Although the organization has stopped many of its in-person programs during the pandemic it continues to affirm, empower, and support members by creating new paradigms for conscious and powerful aging with virtual programs including “Slow Your Roll Yoga” the “Zami NOBLA Book Club” a Ukelele Program, and “Purple Thumb Gardening Group.” They’ve hosted virtual events including arts and comedy shows. Work continues on the rehab of the Biggers House, a house that will provide affordable housing for a lesbian and provides a community garden in the back yard. The pandemic didn’t stop the work just took it to a whole different level.

Collections by Michelle Brown wsg Zami NOBLA's Founder & Exec. Mary Anne Adams

The Legacy Project was inspired the first time the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was shown at the National March on Washington for LGBTQ Civil Rights in 1987 to answer the question “Who would remember those who came before us when we were gone?” Some 34 years later The Legacy Project under the leadership of Executive Director Victor Salvo continues to illuminate and affirm the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people to honor their experiences and accomplishments; to collect and preserve their contributions to world history and culture; to educate and inspire the public and young people, and to assure an inclusive and equitable future. Some of the activities like the Legacy Wall, a one-of-a-kind, digitally-interactive, traveling exhibit has had to be shelved, tours of the Legacy Walk have resumed with smaller groups and social distancing in place. The Legacy Project Education Initiative was launched in conjunction with partners at Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, and Equality Illinois. It offers a new search portal to help teachers create a classroom experience which meets the requirements of Illinois's new Inclusive Curriculum Law

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Victor Salvo/Legacy Project 2021 Update

Linda Brincat is the co-founder of Get Out and Live and Get Out Bike, which goes on biking trips around the area. She is also the moderator of the group Artistic Women’s Entertainment. Her passion however is singing.  She has been singing since her youth.  She had a 6th-grade teacher who loved choral music and taught her students to sing in rounds and in harmony. She also sang in both her high school and college choirs. Linda now sings a soprano as in the LGBTQ and Ally choir Sing Out Detroit after singing for many years with the One Voice Chorus. Since its founding, the inclusive chorus, which includes LGBTQ+ singers as well as allies, has become a community mainstay, performing at many Pride events and hosting an annual spring and winter concert. Sing Out Detroit is a mixed chorus (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) for LGBTQ+ and Allies. They welcome singers with varied musical skills. The chorus fosters community, joy, and fun! Sing Out Detroit is a member of GALA Choruses, a national organization for LGBTQ+ choruses. It is a 501(c)(3) organization eligible for grants. It  is a diverse, inclusive chorus that provides a supportive environment for LGBTQ people and Allies to share the joy of musical performance.  The Vision is to uplift and inspire others with our musical performances to bring about positive social change. Get Out and Live, Get Out and Bike, and Sing Out Detroit all really represent the entire LGBTQ community. Members of the LGBTQ community, allies and friends attend the concerts and the 20-mile bike rides.

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Sing Out Detroit's Linda Brincat

Robert Zurenko is a professional artist currently living/working in the Metro-Detroit area. He has multiple degrees in art and has spent his entire career in the creative field, making art, educating people, and trying to make art experiences more accessible for everyone. His passion for nature and harmony drives his work, and he loves connecting the world back to itself through people and art.  He was one of the judges at the 2019 Pontiac Creative Arts Center's Kaleidoscope Exhibit. Zurenko's work revolves around the intersection of ideas embedded in gender identity, sexuality, popular culture, and the context in which they are presented. In 2020 his mural on a private fence in Hazel Park, MI was featured on the local news for bringing diverse members of the community together. The work on this fence, which glows in the dark, is only one part of a broader perspective he celebrates with every brushstroke and every color blending paint and artistry. He hosts an annual summer camp for trans youth with participants coming from across the country. Zurenko has participated in many exhibits locally including the Trans Day of Artivism and Gender X Show at Afffimations, the NSO Detroit Man In the City Event, Hamtramck Neighborhood Arts Fest, and the Breaking Borders Fine Art Show and Harmony & The Cosmic Connection show at Tangent Gallery. When not teaching, judging or making art on Canvas, Robert is making personal art as a tattoo artist. Tattoos are a world tradition that have cropped up in every single part of the world from a time. before we could even know it, you know. Zurenko believes it is one of those practices that has a deep history and a wide world history, which is one thing that he loves about it.

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Metro-Detroit Artist obert Zurenko

Growing up on Detroit’s northwest side C. Imani Williams loved learning about Black culture. Books, cheerleading, softball, and was involved in other community-based activities. While living in Detroit Imani was the first full-time employee of the Ruth Ellis Center. She was a founder of PFLAG Family Reunion — Detroit Chapter and served on the board of Black Pride Society. Her background includes work in Guidance and Counseling, Communications/Journalism, and Creative-Writing. She has written for several publications including Michigan’s Between the Lines Newspaper and a weekly column Queer Voices from an Urban Bush Sista! Now living in Las Vegas, NV she is determined to live her purpose as a Healing Artist, she has used a combination of Holistic Creative Arts including yoga, meditation, mindfulness, poetry, essays, and jewelry design to empower others   Her “Standing on United Love – Soul Project provides a safe space where community members can explore the issues of the day affecting Black communities including Mental illness in Black communities, Healing from Childhood Trauma, Sex On The Table: Decoding Black Sexual Politics, and Queering Black Spaces. Imani’s work pays homage to the ancestors and elders who paved the way while she works towards a Black art-infused better tomorrow.  This is the legacy she wants to leave not just for her community but especially for her children and grandchildren.

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG C Imani Williams - Standing On United Soul

Connecticut is home for Edson where he not only lives but makes a difference in his community as Executive Director of the Triangle Community Center. Edson was born in El Salvador but has lived most of his life in Connecticut. Norwalk,  He started with the Center as a volunteer serving on various committees and in different board positions until he landed at the top – serving as board chairperson bringing his professional experience and passion to the organization. What was supposed to be only an interim term as Executive Director, Edson threw his hat into the ring and made the position became permanent. Triangle Community Center empowers and advocates for LGBTQ people in Connecticut through programming focused on health, community, and learning. Although housed in Norwalk, the Center services all of Fairfield County and beyond. The Center provides programs, clinical services, resources and hotlines for members of the LGBTQ community as well as community education and training. Edson took the reins during the pandemic but has gone in each day to be there for community members. The Center has hosted virtual events, and small in-person activities keeping the community safe and connected. There have been challenges but also opportunities to learn and grow. More than just a Center, Edson and the Triangle Community Center staff work to make it a safe, welcoming space and home for Connecticut’s LGBTQ community.

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Triangle Community Center's Edson Rivas

Jennifer Miracle-Best has a passion for helping people to understand the intricacies of sexual and gender identity. Although some of her knowledge came from her studies at Central Michigan University and her experience as a member of CMU’s Office of Gay & Lesbian Programs speakers bureau and the Director of the LGBT Resource Center at The University of Georgia, most of her wisdom came from her personal journey to find her personal truth. Her time at the University of Georgia, and perhaps even more so, her relationship with her husband, Ethan, has broadened her perspective on gender and caused her to challenge even the most basic, mundane, constructions of gender. It is through these experiences, as well as the experiences of her own gender expression and the assumptions people make about her based on it, that she has arrived at this radical, game-changer idea about how to free the world from gender. These days she spends her time promoting her book "Divinely Queer: My Journey to Spirituality Through Sexuality" and spreading the good word that despite the messages that our society perpetuates about God and religion, that our queerness is absolutely Divine.

The Divinely Queer Author and Educator Jennifer Miracle Best

A life-long resident of Wilmington, Delaware, DeShanna Neal is the founder of Intersections of Pride Foundation. ​ They are the co-organizer and creator of New Castle County's first ever LGBTQ Youth Pride Festival, as well as Delaware's first Drag Queen Story Hour.  But first and foremost, she is a is a Black queer, mother. Her work into advocacy and activism started off on a very accidental foot when her 3-year-old announced, “I am a girl.”   Trinity was classified as male at birth based on anatomy but had the internal sense of being female. She didn’t have to think twice when a therapist asked her if she wanted a happy little girl or a dead little boy. She has been fighting for her daughter ever since, taking on school officials who were uncomfortable with Trinity’s feminine clothing, with family members who accused them of feeding the child’s mental illness, with acquaintances who questioned their parenting. She battled state Medicaid, so Trinity’s puberty blockers were covered. If you mess with this mama bear, you are going to get bit. Now DeShanna is a nationally known transgender rights champion but she never sought the limelight. Together with Trinity, DeShanna works to change hearts and minds.   Intersections of Pride Foundation works to provide support, resources, and education while also raising awareness to the BIPOC, LGBTQ, Homeless, and other marginalized communities’ intersections.

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG DeShanna U. Neal: Activist & Fierce Mama Bear

Jena Ball​ has traveled the world telling, sharing, and collecting stories along the way. It was clear to her that people are hungry for connection. They need places to meet to comfort, console and encourage one another and tools that allow them to communicate and share ideas effectively. This has driven her endeavors and led to her most recent project, Braided Lives, Braided Lives is designed to find, publish, and "braid" the stories of our lives into a larger narrative. This multimedia storyteller has used her big picture thinking and artistic skills to develop and execute large-scale projects. She looks for ways to work with those who think outside the box, work collaboratively, and are not afraid to fail forward. She started a children's media property called CritterKin. Critter Kin used stories and project-based learning to teach kids social-emotional and core communication skills to help each child discover, develop, and share their unique interests and abilities so they can become kind, compassionate, and competent adults. Her most recent project, Braided Lives. It was clear to Ball that people are hungry for connection. They need places to meet to comfort, console, and encourage one another and tools that allow them to communicate and share ideas effectively. Braided Lives is designed to find, publish, and "braid" the stories of our lives into a larger narrative that offers insights into what it means to be human.  She has lived in California, Japan, Hawaii and now North Carolina telling and collecting stories along the way.

Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Storyteller Jena Ball

An internet radio show about people living in between the lines, standing boldly in the crosshairs of their intersectionality as they create change.

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