GERALD GARTH

1. Led the return of LA Pride to Hollywood after over 40 years, with the most diverse, record-breaking 130,000 paradegoers in attendance 2. Chaired the Parade Committee, naming Paula Abdul as our Icon Grand Marshal and Lady Java as our Community Grand Marshal 3. Served as community co-chair for the Hollywood Pride Mural, capturing Los Angeles legends including Jewel Thais-Williams, Sir Lady Java, Alan Bell, and Karina Samala 4. Formed official partnership with Banjee

I ended my night a bit earlier than usual, because I wanted to get to bed earlier. I have a call to take at 6:30 am. As I started to ready myself for sleep, I thought, “Maybe I’ll just sleep through it and get the notes.” Then I heard God. God often takes expression as the Divine Feminine (just think about our favorite singer, seer, or sage. More to come on that…) In that moment, the voice of God was my paternal grandmother, Gramma, “How you wanna do global work but can’t eve

An excerpt from my journal 15 years ago. (Named changed for anonymity) March 11, 2005 Brother Lester was our organist and choir director for many years—for as long as I could remember. He was always at every service and lent his hands to a number of departments—he visited the elderly, served the homeless, and even helped decorate the church. He was arguably the most active member of our church—even beyond the pastor. One Tuesday during a weekly Bible meeting, Brother Lester s

A few weeks ago, I got to spend the day with my two good friends and their new baby daughter. The husband wanted to surprise his wife for her birthday with a class to her newly expressed interest in woodworking (that’s what I said!). To know her, she is a very regimented, yet balanced woman, managing school and family and looking effortless the whole way. And while seeing her flourish in a creative craft is by no means a stretch, one as woodworking seemed… different. “What ma

A great exercise that my Soul Sib Glo has inspired and incited is what we have deemed “Checking Your Sides.” This spawned from our many potlucks and Sunday dinners. Very often, a group of us friends would come together piecemealing a spread, with exclamations like, “I’ll bring green beans." "I'll bring a fruit tray." I'll bring whisky." "I’ll bring cake.” And soon, we would have a full list of dishes. But I remember, Glo asking a question that I hear in my heart regularly st

Part of my ongoing commitment to self and community is to create and sustain spaces—in all of their forms-- for wellness among and for Black people. In times late, there has been a great deal of conversation around exactly what does that mean. From my experience, it's a lot easier said than done. So often, people will cloak their attempts at open-mindedness as backhanded shade. There have been plenty of articles that unpack prejudice passed as preference. People make stark st

Be it work, love, or life, here are a few thoughts on how to see something different: 1. Don’t panic. I can’t reinforce enough—take some time, breath, set goals, work your goals, but don’t get yourself overwhelmed! 2. Shift your focus. I came across a passage years ago that I live by to this day. “Nervous and excitement is the same feeling, it’s just a matter of what you call it.” That to say, perspective is major. Look at life through a positive lens. 3. Get grateful. Let’s

I still have a certain level of conviction that doesn’t let me wear bare arms in church - even over 10 years after leaving. Sunday, I saw a young man, about 23 with such, and I had to do what I call a self-check—that is, get a grip on my own judgment and thoughts. I remember the elders of my years in church would lead with Pharasaical phrases and elitist responses to the expressions of my generation. They would shun and scorn unstockinged legs and razored lightening bolts

That little blip that makes you look over, makes you think twice, makes you lift your eyes quick, that experience my Mama calls a catch in your spirit. That little inkling, that unction is your intuition, the God in you, telling you to pay attention. “Something about her...” "I just felt something..." “Something won’t let me rest about this.” My mama always says, “You better give that ‘something’ a name.” Daily, it is an exercise for me to pay attention to the somethings. T

Win today. Be proactive in your overcoming. When we set our intentions, things will come to challenge them-- situations to beget reactions. I live by a #Geraldism, “What’s in you will come out of you,” meaning that no matter what you say or don’t say, life will, one way or another, show you what’s in you. And you don’t know what you got until it’s tested. So, when we set our minds and hearts to do better in any regard, life experiences and opportunities will come to solidif