Community Spotlight: Byron Brooks and Urban Inferno
Byron Brooks
Founder of Bridge Leadership Alliances for Equality (BLAEQ)
Earlier this month I volunteered for a portion of BLAEQ Urban Pride in Phoenix. When I first moved to Phoenix from the DC Metro area, many warned me that there was a lack of black culture here. I struggled to find communities of color in Arizona, but I have found that they do indeed exist. I first met Byron Brooks at U.G.I.M.A. (United Gay Informed Men of African Decent), which is a local mens group that has bi-monthly conversations about health, race, politics and things that affect our daily lives. So when I heard that Byron was hosting the first Urban Pride, I did what I could to help out with their premiere event and signed up to volunteer. Although I only attended the fashion show, I understand over the course of the weekend there was fellowship and guest speakers that talked about topics surrounding mens health, specifically as it relates to gay, queer and bisexual persons of color. There are two things that you can do if you don’t see the world that you want. You could complain about it, or you can be the change you would like to see. I have noticed that recently there are more organizations getting together to create black queer spaces in the valley and I am absolutely here for it. When Byron asked he to help out at his event and I saw I had the availability I jumped onto the opportunity. Since I am also making it a point to feature people who are doing positive work in the community I also took the time to interview him to spread awareness of BLAEQ, the organization he created that hosted Urban Pride in November.
Byron, can you tell me a little bit about BLAEQ and how ASU helped prepare you to start your own organization?
My graduate degree is in the field of Health Care Delivery. Most of the focus was on improving outcomes and quality care and prevention. During this degree journey, I prepared a SMART EDISON. This was focused on building a business using key factors and research from the graduate program. I chose a non-profit called Bridging Leadership Alliances for Equality (BLAEQ). Vision: Improving the well-being and the outcomes of our same gender loving population. Mission: To impact the health and socio-economic well-being of the LGBTQ community with emphasis on men of color through education, literature, and mentorship programs.
Before BLAEQ can you tell me a little bit about your involvement in Phoenix' LGBTQ Community?
I am a former Mr. Arizona Central Pride 2000 which is currently Phoenix Gay Pride. It was an honor and a great privilege for me to also be the first African American man to serve in this community in this capacity. I was able to bring to our community our first national sponsor (Instinct Magazine). This afforded me to be a part of the Board and gave me great insight into the dedication and commitment that I was a part of to bring pride to Phoenix every year. I was able to use my talent and my capacity as a contest in the State of Arizona to promote the Pride pageant and the organization of Phoenix Pride.
For those who have not heard about BLAEQ, could you tell us a little more about the organization and how it started?
I was at a dinner party with friends and a conversation started up about how police violence amongst men of color was on the rise. Then a group started up called, "Black Lives Matters". It was summer for 2016 we started to formulate a plan and I was using my research to help execute BLAEQ. Because of the lack of participation, the hype, and interest dwindled so did the meetings in October 2016. I did not want to give up on this because I have been a victim and a witness to many of the challenges this community faces, therefore, February 2018, I started up the meetings and another board was formed for BLAEQ and we have kept regular meetings despite the challenges we face as a start-up Non-profit in the State of Arizona. We are now pending our 501 (C) 3 approval soon.
There are several Pride events that exist in the valley including Phoenix Pride and Rainbow Fest. Can you tell us why Urban Pride is important for communities of color?
Our URBAN INFERNO was developed to attract men of color through outreach. Although we are a part of the larger community it is necessary to know we have the greatest disparities in our community as people of community and I felt it was necessary to develop a plan to meet our mission. Through URBAN INFERNO Pride Weekend we were able to deliver a fun and exciting atmosphere with a show and dance. We followed up the next day with our Mind, Body, Soul Expo to educate on our history, culture, and programming our future. We had vendors delivering Flu shots, Vitamin B 12 shots, HIV testing, and spiritual support. The speakers were powerful with their message and it allowed everyone to engage and participate interactively to bring the final outcome which was education, empowerment, mentorship, understanding, unity, and a sense of pride in our community and self-worth. We learned that we all can make a difference and we should not judge one another before we first know that person story.
How has your background in nursing helped you identify needs that exist within queer communities of color?
Working in the health care industry as a Respiratory Care Practitioner for over 30 years I have seen neglect and poor outcomes for people of color and people of the LGBTQ community. We have trust issues with medical treatment and health care. These issues are being addressed by Healthy People 2020 initiatives to improve clinical support to our perspective community to improve their health and quality of care they receive.
Last I would like to add that this being the first year we are learning that our community of color is fractured and there it is bleeding. We are struggling with transference of self-hate, colorism, homophobia, and transphobia. BLAEQ’s future goal for 2020 will explore ways with other community leaders to heal the psychological pain and other behaviors that afflicts us and prevent us from supporting one another.
Where can we go to learn more information about events and how to support?
