Black queer writers have profoundly influenced the course of American literature, culture, politics, and society. Yet, the intricacies of Black queer writing life remain an underexplored and vital area of discussion. At a time when community building and collaboration among local Black queer writers is more important than ever, this conversation offers a unique opportunity to engage with voices shaping this crucial work.

Join the Rebuild Foundation and The Closet Unlocked for an illuminating evening with a diverse group of local Black queer writers. Hear their perspectives as they share their creative processes, discuss their experiences navigating Blackness and queerness, and reflect on the evolving literary landscape.

We look forward to welcoming you to this thought-provoking event. Light refreshments will be served, and drinks will be available for purchase at the bar. Don’t miss this chance to connect and celebrate the powerful narratives that are redefining literature and beyond!

ABOUT THE PANELISTS
Timantha Goff (she/her) is a writer, editor, and local policy advocate. She has been heavily involved in community-centered journalism and writing delving into a variety of timely issues, such as environmental justice, housing inequity, police accountability, and Black maternal health by way of her former online investigative journalism publication, the (New) Tulsa Star. She has a special interest in exploring issues of race, gender, identity formation, and socio political status by way of her personal essays and cultural criticism. She is currently the acting Managing Editor and Writer for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a nonprofit organization that advocates for and supports economic mobility and racial justice programs and initiatives.

Born and raised in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant South Side, Tyris Manney (he/him/his) is a force to be reckoned with—a passionate entrepreneur, a storyteller, and a fierce advocate for mental health. From the pages of Block Club Chicago, The Independent, The Chicago Reader, and The Windy City Times to the screens of NBC’s Chicago Today and WGN’s Spotlight Chicago, Tyris’ work has captivated audiences far and wide. In 2019, Tyris channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into launching Tyris Manney Beauty, a skincare brand that blends skin care with mental wellness, while later expanding it to also include A Moment 4 Mental Health, a groundbreaking initiative that provides free therapy sessions to underrepresented, low-income individuals in Chicago.

Brian Young Jr. (they/them) is a non binary, Black, pansexual poet, playwright, and director whose lineage can be traced back to their Black working class family and ancestors of Alabama. They are proud to be able to say that the long Black tradition of struggling, fighting, and making anew for generations to come is what produced them. They’re also an organizer for the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Inspired by the great, queer, revolutionary Lorraine Hansberry, Brian sees their art as an extension of engagement in struggle and an opportunity to highlight the livelihood, vitality, and truth of working and oppressed people.

Moderator Darius C. Caffey, MPA (he/him) is the Founder/CEO of The Closet Unlocked. He is also the Director of Institutional Partnerships for Black Alphabet NFP and Talk Show Host of ‘The Table On Air’ at the Chicago Access Network Television station. As an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and media producer, he utilizes the tool of education to catalyze change in systems leaders toward the betterment of under-resourced and underrepresented people.

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Tags: Brian Young Jr., Chicago, Darius C. Caffey, South Shore, Stony Island Arts Bank, The Power of Black Queer Narratives: A Literary Exchange, Timantha Goff, Tyris Manney