Collections by Michelle Brown

This multimedia storyteller has used her big picture thinking and artistic skills to develop and execute large-scale projects. She looks for ways to work with those who think outside the box, work collaboratively, and are not afraid to fail forward. 
She started a children's media property called CritterKin. Critter Kin used stories and project-based learning to teach kids social-emotional and core communication skills to help each child discover, develop, and share their unique interests and abilities so they can become kind, compassionate, and competent adults.
Her most recent project, Braided Lives. It was clear to Ball that people are hungry for connection. They need places to meet to comfort, console, and encourage one another and tools that allow them to communicate and share ideas effectively. Braided Lives is designed to find, publish, and "braid" the stories of our lives into a larger narrative that offers insights into what it means to be human. 
She has lived in California, Japan, Hawaii and now North Carolina telling and collecting stories along the way.

Jena Ball: Braiding the Stories of Our Lives

DeShanna U. Neal is the founder of Intersections of Pride Foundation. Intersections of Pride Foundation works to provide support, resources, and education while also raising awareness of the BIPOC, LGBTQ, Homeless, and other marginalized communities’ intersections.
But first and foremost, she is a Black queer, mother. Her work in advocacy and activism started off on a very accidental foot when her 3-year-old announced, “I am a girl.”   Trinity was classified as male at birth based on anatomy but had the internal sense of being female.
She didn’t have to think twice when a therapist asked her if she wanted a happy little girl or a dead little boy. She has been fighting for her daughter ever since, taking on school officials, with family members even battling state Medicaid, so Trinity’s puberty blockers were covered.
She never sought the limelight but now as a nationally known transgender rights champion she tells everyone in her path "If you mess with this mama bear, you are going to get bit."

DeShanna Neal: An Accidental Activist Just Fighting for her Daughter

Jennifer Miracle-Best has a passion for helping people to understand the intricacies of sexual and gender identity. Although some of her knowledge came from her studies at Central Michigan University and her experience as a member of CMU’s Office of Gay & Lesbian Programs speakers bureau and the Director of the LGBT Resource Center at The University of Georgia, most of her wisdom came from her personal journey to find her personal truth. It is through these experiences, as well as the experiences of her own gender expression and the assumptions people make about her based on it, that she has arrived at this radical, game-changer idea about how to free the world from gender.
These days she spends her time promoting her book "Divinely Queer: My Journey to Spirituality Through Sexuality" and spreading the good word that despite the messages that our society perpetuates about God and religion, that our queerness is absolutely Divine.

The Divinely Queer Jennifer Miracle Best

Edson Rivas was born in El Salvador but has lived most of his life in Connecticut. Norwalk, Connecticut is home for Edson where he not only lives but makes a difference in his community as Executive Director of the Triangle Community Center.
He started with the Center as a volunteer serving on various committees and in different board positions until he landed at the top – serving as board chairperson bringing his professional experience and passion to the organization.
What was supposed to be only an interim term as Executive Director, Edson threw his hat into the ring and made the position became permanent.
Triangle Community Center empowers and advocates for LGBTQ people in Connecticut through programming focused on health, community, and learning. Although housed in Norwalk, the Center services all of Fairfield County and beyond.

Collections by Michelle  Brown

Edison Rivas: Exec. Director Triangle Community Center

Growing up on Detroit’s northwest side C. Imani Williams loved learning about Black culture. Books, cheerleading, softball, and was involved in other community-based activities. While living in Detroit Imani was the first full-time employee of the Ruth Ellis Center. She was a founder of PFLAG Family Reunion — Detroit Chapter and served on the board of Black Pride Society. Her background includes work in Guidance and Counseling, Communications/Journalism, and Creative-Writing. She has written for several publications including Michigan’s Between the Lines Newspaper and a weekly column Queer Voices from an Urban Bush Sista!
Now living in Las Vegas, NV she is determined to live her purpose as a Healing Artist, she has used a combination of Holistic Creative Arts including yoga, meditation, mindfulness, poetry, essays, and jewelry design to empower others   Her “Standing on United Love – Soul Project provides a safe space where community members can explore the issues of the day affecting Black communities including Mental illness in Black communities, Healing from Childhood Trauma, Sex On The Table: Decoding Black Sexual Politics, and Queering Black Spaces.

C Imani Williams is  Standing On United Soul

Robert Zurenko is a professional artist currently living/working in the Metro-Detroit area. He has multiple degrees in art and has spent his entire career in the creative field, making art, educating people and trying to make art experiences more accessible for everyone. His passion for nature and harmony drives his work, and he loves connecting the world back to itself through people and art.
In 2020 his mural on a private fence in Hazel Park, MI was featured on the local news for bringing diverse members of the community together. The work on this fence, which glows in the dark, is only one part of a broader perspective he celebrates with every brush stroke and every color blending paint and artistry. He hosts an annual summer camp for trans youth with participant coming from across the country.

Metro-Detroit Artist Robert Zurenko

Linda Brincat is the co-founder of Get Out and Live and Get Out Bike, which goes on biking trips around the area. She is also the moderator of the group Artistic Women’s Entertainment. 
Her passion however is singing.  She has been singing since her youth.  She had a 6th grade teacher who loved choral music and taught her students to sing in rounds and in harmony. She also sang in both her high school and college choirs. Linda now sings a soprano as in the LGBTQ and Ally choir Sing Out Detroit after singing for many years with the One Voice Chorus. Since its founding, the inclusive chorus, which includes LGBTQ+ singers as well as allies, has become a community mainstay, performing at many Pride events and hosting an annual spring and winter concert.

Linda Brincat Says Just Get Out & Live

The Legacy Project was inspired the first time the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was shown at the National March on Washington for LGBTQ Civil Rights in 1987 to answer the question “Who would remember those who came before us when we were gone?”
Some 34 years later The Legacy Project under the leadership of Executive Director Victor Salvo continues to illuminate and affirm the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people to honor their experiences and accomplishments; to collect and preserve their contributions to world history and culture; to educate and inspire the public and young people, and to assure an inclusive and equitable future.
What does the future hold for this education initiative, the Legacy Project, the Legacy Wall, and this fall's Legacy Wall inductees? We get an update today from the keeper of this dream Victor Salvo.

Victor Salvo of Chicago's Legacy Project

The pandemic didn’t stop the work of Zami NOBLA – The National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging. According to Founder and Executive Director Mary Anne Adams it just took the organization's work to a whole different level.
Although the organization has stopped many of its in-person programs during the pandemic, it continues to affirm, empower, and support members by creating new paradigms for conscious and powerful aging with virtual programs including “Slow Your Roll Yoga” the “Zami NOBLA Book Club” a Ukelele Program, and “Purple Thumb Gardening Group.” They’ve hosted virtual events including an art exhibit and comedy shows featuring LGBTQ Comedian Karen Williams.
Adams reports on the work continuing on the rehab of the Biggers House, a house that will provide affordable housing for a lesbian and provides a community garden in the back yard.
The organization is building a national base of power centering Black lesbians 40+ through service, advocacy, and community-action research while promoting positive aging through a social justice framework. And Mary Anne Adam continues to lead the charge for Lesbians across the country.

Doing the Work: Zami Nobla's Founder & E.D. Mary Anne Adams

CritterKin is a children's media property that uses stories and project-based learning programs to teach kids social-emotional and core communication skills.
It is the brainchild of multimedia storyteller Jena Ball who has 25 years of professional writing and editing experience, 15 years of designing and teaching online courses, 13 years working on immersive learning environments in 3D worlds. Jena has spent 12 years working as the Creative Director for the CritterKin Coalition.
The CritterKin Coalition is a community composed of creative professionals, educators, parents, and community members, businesses, and organizations that understand education is a lived experience extending far beyond the classroom. The mission is to make emotional intelligence (EQ) a priority and help each child discover, develop, and share their unique interests and abilities.

Critter Kin Coalition Founder: Jena Ball

Jackie Jones joined Pride Source Media Group as the News and Features editor in 2021. Jones graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Prior to joining the Pride Source/Between the Lines family, she worked as a freelance marketing specialist and journalist in media for nonprofit organizations and publications.
Jones is a storyteller. She has written poetry, participated in performance art including performing with Detroit’s Mosaic Youth Ensemble before pursuing journalism. 
Her journey has taken her from Michigan to Maine and Arizona before returning to Detroit honing her craft along the way while discovering herself, dealing with life’s challenges, and collecting stories along the way. The road was not always easy, and she shares not just her professional experience but life experience as a Black Queer/Lesbian.
Now. she brings her life and professional experience to Pridesource/Between The Lines where she hopes to not only maintain and but build the platform for LGBTQ media across various platforms
But Jackie Jones will always be a storyteller and she looks forward to highlighting the stories of the LGBTQ community at the paper while uplifting the voices of BIPOC Queer voices providing space that is sometimes not available to this segment of the community.

Jackie Jones: News & Features Editor at Pride Source Media

What happens to a PRIDE celebration deferred? 
Deferred by a pandemic that has canceled or made most of our community interactions virtual?
June was eerily quiet without our celebrations, but our PRIDE didn’t diminish, dry up or go away. We just held on to our rainbow flags, marching shoes, and even a little glitter to come roaring back for Ferndale Pride this October.
Julia Music, Ferndale Pride's #1 Organizer faced the pandemic challenges head-on and pivoted to make this fall’s PRIDE celebration memorable as well as safe.
You will still see the vendors, sponsors, great entertainment and be welcomed by many smiling volunteers.
Most activities will be held outdoors but the doors of Affirmations Community Center will be open with some special events.

Last year the celebration was virtual. This year it’s Pride in October. Next year, plans are underway to return to June which means little rest for the goddess/queen of Ferndale Pride Julia Music.

Julia Music: Pride Returns to Ferndale This October

Retirement has not slowed Pamela E. Alexander down one bit. A born and raised in Macomb, MI she is now working to ensure her hometown and county are diverse and inclusive.
Since February 2021 Pamela has led the Northern Macomb County NAACP Branch as president of the chapter. In October 2021 Macomb County will hold its first LGBTQ Pride celebration in downtown Mt. Clemens, MI.
This Gold Star Mother, honors the life of her son SSGT Vincent J. Bell, supporting other military families and working with her daughter London Bell as part of the Bell Global Justice Institute named in his honor.
She served for many years before retiring as the deputy director of the Ruth Ellis Center serving LGBTQ youth in southeastern Michigan and established the “Kofi House: Center for Lesbian and Queer Women & Girls. Her research on the life and achievements of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray introduced may at the Kofi House to this LGBTQ pioneer in civil rights.
In October, she helps bring the first Pride Celebration to downtown Mt. Clemens, Michigan in Macomb County.
Her life continues to be a life of service and passion for community.

A lot is happening in Macomb MI, Just ask Pamela E Alexander

How do you go from a casual deck conversation to building an organization that brings support and visibility to the LGBTQIA+ community? How do you plan during a pandemic and host the first-ever PRIDE celebration not in June but in October?
Chris Kipp is a member of Macomb County Pride's board. He takes us on the journey from that conversation on Board chair Pil Gilchrist's deck to building support from local municipalities for recognition of June as PRIDE month. He talks about how buy-in from area businesses meant more than putting up a rainbow sticker but a commitment to being welcoming and inclusive after the celebration ended. With covid, planning the event took many twists and turns but now the community is ready to celebrate beginning October 15-17th with events including a pub crawl, outdoor festival, and closing with a drag brunch.
Macomb County Pride's mission is to create a supportive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community and to be a resource in Macomb County where the dignity of all people is affirmed and respected.

Building the Dream: Macomb County Hosts 1st PRIDE

What would it mean to codify Roe vs Wade? Is it time we stop this fight for reproductive rights and pass a law that would affirm a pregnant person’s right to an abortion without undue interference?
In May, one of nation’s strictest abortion measures, banning procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy was signed into law in Texas and opened the door for almost any private citizen to sue abortion providers and others.
Women across the country raised their voices in protest over this latest attack on their bodies and prepared for the coming battle in the courts to defend Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to the procedure. 
With the current number of conservative-leaning justices sitting on the supreme court the possibility that the decision might be overruled is very, very real.
On Sunday, October 24th there will be a rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan to protest the recent passing of Senate Bill 8 in Texas and an abortion case being on the upcoming Supreme Court docket.
The rally is being hosted by the Lunar Doula Support Network’s Lunar Doula Collective. The Collective’s mission is to provide compassionate support, free of charge, to individuals experiencing pregnancy loss or termination.
This student organization Has a mission to normalize social discourse surrounding reproductive health working through community education and training to advocate for appropriate sexual and reproductive healthcare.
The Lunar Doula Collective's Ishi Shukla talks about the issue and the rally which takes place on the University of Michigan Diag in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1-2 PM

Rally for Reproductive Rights in Ann Arbor Oct.24

As we celebrate and thank our veterans for their service this Veterans Day it is so appropriate that we catch up with past guest and US Air Force Veteran Vanessa Sheridan.
Despite the limitations caused by the pandemic, this respected author and transgender activist continues to provide public outreach and consulting while offering transgender awareness training services nationally.
She is the author of “The Complete Guide to Transgender in the Workplace.” The first full-length, hard-covered book on this topic ever released by a mainstream publisher. She has twice been a national Lambda Literary Award finalist for her other books on the transgender community.
Vanessa was the first transgender member of the board of directors for the Stonewall National Museum and archives.

Veteran and Trans Activist Vanessa Sheridan

Kim Ford is one of those people who always has something to say that is informative, inspirational, and transformative changes.
She co-founded Kitchen Table Giving Circle. The non-profit provided philanthropic support to Black/African Descent Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer women-led projects and organizations working to improve the lives of Black/African Descent LBTQ women.
After years working in the non-profit sector, she changed directions starting “Mind Body Balance with Kim” providing health and wellness advocacy as well as transformational life coaching,
When last we spoke it was at the beginning of the pandemic, her business was developing, she was offering classes online and taking classes to expand her practice using her fitness journey to assist and motivate others to find body and soul balance. And then the pandemic hit.
Kim believes each of us moves along our own unique journeys and paths filled with dreams and visions of the lives we want to live. This movement and our interactions with others can help us redefine how we live in community with one another,
She shares how the pandemic has been a time to reset and find our own unique journeys and paths filled with dreams and visions of the lives we want to live.
From sheltering in place, reemerging from quarantine isolation to adopting a pandemic pet it’s a new world, a changing normal and Kim Ford is there for it all!!

Revisiting Health, Wellness & Transformational Coach Kim Ford

Steph Turner identifies as a trans-spirit individual who is grounded in her own Native American heritage.
After coming out in 1993 as transgender, she learned firsthand about needs when she was falsely accused and incarcerated for a crime she did not commit. No consideration was given for her gender identity and she was placed in an all-male facility.
Since this experience Steph has felt compelled to transcend political and other divisive activities to deeply connect with all sides to resolve the impacted needs. 
After earning degrees in Sociology, Anthropology, Counseling and Public Administration she realized these fields exist to find answers our many needs. She went on to found Anankelogy the disciplined study of need.
In her book “You Need This: Introducing Anankelogy, the Study of Need” she explains how our actions, beliefs, and thinking all occur after our factual needs.

Steph Turner Founder of Anankelogy -

Especially during this pandemic our friends & found families have helped hold us together as a community, I am pleased & honored to have been officially "adopted" by my Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice family.
Bayard Rustin was an African American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights.
He worked with A. Philip Randolph on the March on Washington Movement, in 1941, to press for an end to racial discrimination in employment. He later organized Freedom Rides, and helped to organize the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Bayard Rustin was a gay man and, due to criticism over his sexuality, he usually acted as an influential adviser behind the scenes to civil-rights leaders. 
As a young activist, cutting my teeth in the civil rights and social justice movements, I did not hear about Bayard Rustin. I felt that I needed to suppress my sexuality in order to be effective in the movement. But then through books, involvement with LGBTQ organizations and the movie “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin” I recognized the importance of bringing my full self to everything I was doing to truly create change.
Along the way I discovered other “Angelic Troublemakers” equally inspired by Rustin’s life and doing the work. One being Robt Seda Schreiber, Chief Activist at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice. Robt has quite literally had his “Boots on the Ground” since before he was born.
From day one the mission and vision of the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice along with the commitment and Robt’s passion have been in sync with my core beliefs touching my spirit.

BRCSJ Board Announcement

Just taking a moment to say "THANK YOU" to my listeners, my guests, and the community who continue to live between the lines, stand boldly in the crosshairs of their intersectionality, and create change.