LGBTQ+ parenthood
Bernard McAllister
Bernard "Bernie Jourdan Ebony" McAllister was born and raised in the city of Newark. He is the second of two children born to a single mother. He was raised by an extended family of grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many others who helped mold him into the man he would later become. He came out to his family at the age of fourteen. He was embraced by his family yet prepared by them for what the world had in store for an openly gay black man. Having come from a background where no one was ever turned away for being different, he easily gravitated towards the ballroom scene which welcomed young...Marina Carreira
Marina Carreira is a queer Luso-American multidisciplinary artist from Newark, NJ. She holds a BA in English from Montclair State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Rutgers University. Marina works in higher education as School Office Manager for the College of Education at Kean University and as adjunct professor of English at Essex County College. She is founding member of “Brick City Collective”, a multicultural, multimedia group of Newark-based artists working for social change, and also works as a poet in the Geraldine R. Dodge “Visiting Poets in Schools” program....
Amina Baraka
Born Sylvia Robinson, born 1942, in Charlotte, North Carolina – multi-talented artist (dancer, actress, singer/poet, and political activist).Parents Ruth (garment worker) and James C Robinson were divorced when she was five. She was sent to her grandparents, Leona (domestic worker) and Patrick Bacote (construction worker). Sylvia grew up in Newark, New Jersey. She attended Arts High School where she majored in Art.
Sylvia early in life developed a love and respect for the working class and the labor union movement.
In 1960, Sylvia married Walter...
Kevin E. Taylor
Kevin E. Taylor is working on his greatness while he inspires you to walk in yours! He’s a noted author (JADED, UNCLUTTER, BECAUSE HE LIVES, IT’S TIME FOR SOME ACTION, ENVY: the darkest shade of green, GET OFF YOUR ASS AND DO SOMETHING and MEET THE HENDERSONS). He’s a pastor (Senior Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church NewArk now and Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick for 12 years). He’s a writer and producer for television (22 years in television and more than 20 years running TaylorMadeMultiMedia (TM3), his own video production company. He is a lecturer/empowerment speaker, who has...
Lynette Lashawn
THE BEGINNING
Inspired by the fashion her Mom and Grandparents wore Lynette’s interest began at a very tender age. The love she developed for fashion served as an outlet and unquestionable conduit for self-expression. Fueled by her evolving obsession with european fashion, luxury designer pieces and unique furniture, Lynette conceptualized a Fashion & Decor Studio with her partner. Off The Hanger/Anè (created 7.5 years ago online) was designed for women and men to shop for their wardrobes and homes simultaneously.
FAST FORWARD to Off The Hanger
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Jerri Mitchell-Lee
Reverend Jerri Mitchell-Lee is a native of Brooklyn, New York. As the daughter of a Career Army Officer she has lived all across the United States and has been a long time resident of New Jersey. Reverend Lee has a passion for serving and continues to do so as a health educator, mental health counselor, and workshop trainer within and outside of Unity Fellowship Church Movement. She received her education at Sterling College, University of Kansas, Rutgers, University of Medicine and Dentistry, Newark, N.J., Howard School of Theology (Sat. Program) and Newark School of Theology. Reverend Lee...Venice Brown
Venice Brown earned her GED from Cape Fear Community College. She received her Cosmetology License from the College of Wilmington, North Carolina where she lives and works part-time at a hair salon and at Cape Fear College. She had a baby boy, Jasiah, who just turned four and co-parents with her girlfriend whom she has known since they were twelve years old. As Venice’s mom says, “Venice would give you the shirt off her back, but do not disrespect her friends.”Venice has spoken at the University of California – San Diego for The Nicholas Papadopoulos Endowed Lecture in Gay & Lesbian...