HOW OUR BLAQ PRIDE SHOWS

“Joy is so real and powerful. I want to bring attention to the ways queer community finds motivation to keep sharing our light. In the face of so much vitriol about how people live their lives, queer people find each other and affirm the differences other communities cast shade on.

“I have the pleasure of advising the newly-chartered student organization at UNM, True Colors… bringing together Black queers to create refuge from stigma and judgement. True Colors imparts lessons of communal responsibility and challenges preconceived ideas of a solely cis-heterosexual Blackness. It is pivotal that Black queer and trans students be represented as a student organization of African American Student Services to reflect the ‘invisible’ tether that connects some of UNM’s brightest students.”

“I would like to highlight how our community came together to support and attend the first all-Black cast show, [called] The Chocolate Factory, at the Albuquerque Social Club. The energy and enthusiasm I felt at that show was like no other.

“LGBTQ+ are getting represented and having safe spaces to go. I still think we need to focus on expanding that welcome and not focus solely on the L and G in our community as much. There are a lot of letters under our flag, and all of them need equal representation and to feel welcome. It’s [also] nice to know that we are living in a state that is a safe haven not only for our LGBTQ+ community but also for women’s rights.”

“[I’m celebrating that] we are no longer waiting for brands or businesses to lead the fight or organize our events for us. There is a fire in ourselves to provide the visibility we deserve.

“Thankfully, because of organizations in New Mexico like Equality New Mexico, Transgender Resource Center, and MPower with Planned Parenthood, we are one of the states that loves, affirms, and protects everyone including our queer and trans siblings! There are bills such as HB 207 being signed into law that will be the most expansive LGBTQIA protections in the nation. To see many of our allies stepping up to support us is extremely beneficial! I encourage everyone to continue to utilize their voices, speak with passion, move with purpose, and VOTE. Every voice matters and [whether] you’re a drag fan, a friend or family member to a queer individual, or a stranger to the cause, please speak up and show out!”

We are inviting students and families from all across Central New Mexico to join us for out 11th Annual Roots Summer Leadership Academy (RSLA) this July. This a theme-based project-based learning environment that focuses on using the arts as a tool to teach self-esteem and leadership. Students have the opportunity to build community and make lifelong friendships. The camp is based on Marcus Garvey’s quote, “A people who lack the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” We make every effort to ensure that every child we encounter has a deep appreciation for their individual roots and their place in the larger community. RSLA is an incubator for creativity, growth, and loads of fun. Please register today.

Registration Open Now & FREE Donations of time, talent, treasure accepted.

Dates: July 10–July 28, 2023

First Unitarian Church Campus 3701 Carlisle NE (Corner of Carlisle/Comanche) Transportation will be provided from the International District

Register here

Our theme this year is Tayari, meaning “I’m Prepared. I’m Ready,” in Swahili. The adinkra symbol is Pempamsie, for “Sew in Readiness.”

We met and fell in love with Zavier in 2014. This May, Zavier will graduate from the College of St. Rose in upstate New York with a degree in Music Technology and Business Communications. After graduation, he’s on his way to Los Angeles to intern at a recording studio complex. And further his career as Z the Author. This is what he had to say when asked about his Roots experience:

“It was really a safe space to experiment with myself in a creative way. By creative way, I mean it was a way that I hadn’t expressed myself before. It really opened doors for me to keep creating and lead me down the road to where I am now. Taking music and performance as seriously as I do really all started with what I learned at the camp.”

Schedule: 7:30am–9am: Before Care

9am–4pm: Classes

Dance, Theater in the Making, STEM, Music, Visual Art/Math, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Assembly, Field Trips, Special Performances, Caregiver/Guardian Workshops & Community Building

4pm–5:30pm: After Care

Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks Provided Daily

by

Cathryn McGill

In the summer of 2013, a few minutes before I needed to leave for the very first iteration of the Roots camp, I remembered that we needed a theme song. I sat down at my piano and scribbled out a title, a melody, and these words that, unbeknownst to me, would completely define the essence of the work we do with our youth, and indeed, with the entire community.

I believe in me cause I believe in you cause I believe in we Our whole community And my roots are deep to keep me strong I stand proud and I know I belong Everybody hear me when I say that I am somebody I am somebody I am somebody