BLACK&GAY

Greetings! My name is Michael D. Myers. I was born and raised in Texas, and I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego. Beginning in 2017, I spent 4 years volunteering in over 18 countries in homeless shelters, eco-projects, and charity organizations.

In February 2021, I started an organization called BLACK&GAY — an aspiring non-profit whose mission is to advance our experience of community, while supporting the freedom of each individual within it. I am writing this to invite you to contribute to our movement and the development of our mobile application and eco-village project.

For me, this cause is deeply personal. I’m a survivor of the same struggles I seek to remedy in the world. I was physically abused by my father for 16 years because I was gay, and was eventually given to foster care. I’ve attempted suicide twice, spent a year in a mental hospital and had to leave home and survive on my own during my teenage years. Homeless at nineteen, I moved to New Orleans and lived at Covenant House. They gave me the tools I needed to be successful, helping me to find a job and my first apartment. After years of therapy, I found the healing I needed. Despite so many hardships, I’ve embraced the world with curiosity and an open heart. This is what I want to give to others. A sanctuary. Somewhere for those who have been abused in their own homes just for being who they are - a place where you know that you will be accepted, honored, and loved.

The purpose of our organization is to educate, amplify, and liberate the Black queer community; to create a safe, healthy, and judgment-free environment where members can support, inspire, and connect with themselves and others, while also bridging the gap of economic inequality. We strongly believe in our cause and our positive impact on the community.

Our official launch date was February 7, 2021 and since then we have grown to over 17K Instagram followers, and have created a large network of individuals on our website and other platforms. Our website combines a social networking platform which promotes artistry and entrepreneurship, with an international profit sharing marketplace which allows members to display, distribute, and sell their media, products, and services. Additionally, we spotlight Black queer creatives and entrepreneurs to give them exposure, and provide relevant news and blog articles.

We are currently working towards the development of a mobile application, which we are requesting assistance for, to be available at the end of the year. Our plan is to include our social networking platform, a BLACK&GAY radio, dating features basaed on personality traits, as well as award members with “points” for positive social interactions and achievements in mental health awareness.

Simultaneously, we are focused towards building an eco village — an “off-the-grid” housing, farmland, and camping ground where we will offer a multitude of incredible experiences and opportunities, such as workshops, meditation and yoga, transitional housing for those in need, as well as being an event space, community center, and a working farm, all within a clothing-optional, judgement-free environment.