Recorded in January 2021, Archbishop Carl Bean, spiritual leader, HIV activism pioneer, and the voice behind 1977’s “I Was Born This Way,” recounts his journey from gospel stages and Motown to founding Unity Fellowship and ministering through the HIV crisis of the 1980s and 1990s. It’s a candid, joy-filled reflection on faith, music, and queer Black liberation that turns history into a call to love openly and live unapologetically.

For Black LGBTQIA+ folks, the nightclub isn’t just a place to dance, it’s a place where we can find community and discover who we are. With many Atlanta Black gay spaces closed or closing, it’s hard to keep track of all of the history. On this episode Charles Stephens chats with Dr. Damian Denson about his personal journey to self through 2000’s Atlanta nightlife. Damian takes us on a journey through their personal experiences, where the club scene played a significant role in their life, for a period of time – both in positive and negative ways. His story is one of resilience and discovery. What do you remember about the Atlanta club scene? Support CNP ✔ Donation ► https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok ✔ TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe ✔ Twitter ► https://twitter.com/cnptribe ✔ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe ✔ Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe ©2023 The Counter Narrative Project, All Rights Reserved

Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs joined us to discuss her connection to Audre Lorde. Dr. Gumbs is currently writing a biography of Lorde called "The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde." During this conversation Dr. Gumbs discusses Lorde's connection to Joseph Beam and Essex Hemphill. She also discusses Melvin Dixon's 1992 keynote at the OutWrite Conference "I'll Be Somewhere Listening For My Name."

CNP hosted our annual CNP Summit on March 17th and March 18th, 2021. The Summit was virtual. The theme was: "Lessons Learned from Bayard Rustin." Bayard Rustin was a brilliant strategist and organizer. He is also a key influence of CNP and a historical figure we have taken considerable inspiration from and look to honor his legacy through our work. This session is entitled "Bayard Rustin: Brother of Omega Psi Phi" Panelists Include: Charles Stephens and Brandon Wilson

CNP hosted our annual CNP Summit on March 17th and March 18th, 2021. The Summit will be virtual. The theme was: "Lessons Learned from Bayard Rustin." Bayard Rustin was a brilliant strategist and organizer. He is also a key influence of CNP and a historical figure we have taken considerable inspiration from and look to honor his legacy through our work. This session is entitled "Influencing a King: Bayard Rustin & Coretta Scott King's LGBTQ+ Activism." Panelists Include: Charles Stephens, Dr. Beverley Guy-Sheftall and Lynn Cothren

On this show Charles Stephens sits down with Journalist Linda Villarosa. Linda is the Program Director at The City College of New York, and she wrote a piece for the New York Times entitled “America's Hidden HIV Epidemic: Why do America's black gay and bisexual men have a higher HIV rate than any country in the world?”

CNP has long looked to the writer and activist James Baldwin for perspective and inspiration. Through his novels, essays, and other writings, we have found not only a wise ancestor but a trusted friend and witness. We were founded in part, as a tribute and love letter to Baldwin. His legacy is in our DNA. Baldwin’s Atlanta explores James Baldwin's relationship with Atlanta, particularly through his masterpiece "The Evidence of Things Not Seen." This conversation was taped on Aug 2, 2021.

On this podcast episode Johnnie Kornegay chats with Singer, Songwriter, Producer and Arranger Donnie about his album The American Mythology, and his personal journey to liberation. In this interview you'll find Donnie speaking candidly and frankly about his life, being a Black gay man and experiences while preparing to reveal his musical. Donnie emerged on the music scene in 2002 with his album The Colored Section. The American Mythology is described as "a colorful, epic narrative and inspiring soundtrack." This conversation was taped on June 20, 2016. Music: Cloud 9 (From The Colored Section) Protester (From The American Mythology) Olmec Save Us (NDATL Single) Playground (From The American Mythology)  About CNP: The Counter Narrative Project (CNP), shifts narratives about Black gay men to change policy and improve lives. Our organization is committed to working in coalition and solidarity with all racial and social justice movements. We stand in the tradition of organizers, writers, and visionaries such as Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin. Join Our Mailing List: https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Donate to CNP: https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnptribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe

Johnnie Ray Kornegay III reads from his article about 'Black Vans' by Alex Smith from CNP’s digital publication The Reckoning. The comic is breaking new ground by featuring a fat, Black, gay superhero in the future. The comic book centers around Bo, an Afro-Latin character, and a group of queer superheroes of color. The narrative represents marginalized communities and challenges societal norms regarding body image and race. The article delves into Smith's journey from a teenage zine creator to a self-published comic artist. Black-owned comic stores can play a crucial role in distributing such inclusive comics. Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics owner Byron Canady discusses the importance of representation in comic book culture. Read the article: https://bit.ly/3fJ5OyF Watch the video: https://bit.ly/3ATMadU ✔ Join Our Mailing List ► https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Support CNP ✔ Donation ► https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok ✔ TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe ✔ Twitter ► https://twitter.com/cnptribe ✔ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe ✔ Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe ©2024 The Counter Narrative Project, All Rights Reserved

For Mother’s Day, Johnnie Ray Kornegay III pays tribute to Dorothy Beam, the mother of celebrated Black gay anthologist Joseph Beam, whose devotion to her son's legacy transformed personal grief into a powerful act of advocacy. After Joseph's death from AIDS-related complications in 1988, Dorothy refused to let his unfinished work disappear; instead, she collaborated with poet Essex Hemphill to complete Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men (1991), a landmark text in Black LGBTQ+ literary history.