CNP

CNP would like to wish our founder and Executive Director, Charles Stephens, a glorious happy birthday! Charles, we are inspired by your visionary leadership every single day. Everyone join us in saying happy birthday to Charles!

To continue our work, we would be honored if you would make a donation to CNP in honor of Charles. Visit https://bit.ly/cnpdonate today!

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“My presence here today has everything to do with James Baldwin." - Charles Stephens

Thanks to Noah Washington for this recap of our event for The Atlanta Voice!

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The Counter Narrative Project celebrates James Baldwin's 100th birthday in Atlanta Explore the enduring influence of James Baldwin on Atlanta's socio-political landscape in a community discussion produced by The Counter Narrative Project.

CNP has always been committed to celebrating Baldwin. Thank you and for highlighting our special event honoring James Baldwin on what would have been his 100th birthday. We’ve reached capacity for this event and can’t wait to celebrate with Atlanta and the .

CNP has always been committed to celebrating Baldwin. Thank you AJC Unapologetically ATL and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for highlighting our special event honoring James Baldwin on what would have been his 100th birthday. We’ve reached capacity for this event and can’t wait to celebrate with Atlanta and the .

https://bit.ly/cnpbaldwinajc

Counter Narrative Project celebrates writer James Baldwin’s 100th birthday The Counter Narrative Project, the advocacy organization that seeks to change narratives around Black LGBTQ men that influence policy, is hosting James Baldwin and Atlanta to celebrate what would’ve been the writer-activist’s 100th birthday Friday at The Gathering Spot.

CNP is excited to welcome Kimberly Latrice Jones to join us for James Baldwin & Atlanta on his 100th birthday, August 2nd. Charles Stephens and Kimberly will be in conversation about Baldwin's work its connection to Atlanta. RSVP Today: bit.ly/jbatlcnp

“It’s often that you go into some judicial court rooms and you don’t see people who look like you. My identity can impact whether I treat people from a more human-centered place and will help some people feel the system is more fair.” - Judge Pierce Hand Seitz

Read the latest from Dionne Walker-Bing on

https://bit.ly/cnpseitzarticle

Municipal Judgeship Is the Latest First for Atlanta Gay Attorney — The Reckoning At barely 10 years old, Pierce Hand Seitz already had a leg up on other 5th graders: After getting a taste of legal proceedings during a mock trial, he was pretty certain he wanted to be a lawyer when he grew up

2024 CNP Service Award nominations are open! The honoree will be someone who's provided outstanding service to CNP. Nominate yourself or someone else today.

https://bit.ly/cnpservenom24

📸 2023 Service Award Honoree Alvin Agarrat (Image by Heather LaShun Photography)

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Thank you for a wonderful June! Throughout the month, CNP was hard at work shifting narratives. We partnered with Actor's Express on their production of "Blues for an Alabama Sky" and hosted a conversation on in Ohio with Ken Schneck among other activities. See you in July!

Picture courtesy of Daniel J. Downer (He/Him)

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The is sharing some of our favorite things, so far, for 2024. From books to films to television, we are taking in a lot of content with different vibes to savor. What are some of your favorite things, this year, so far? Let us know in the comments.

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The invites you to save the date for our upcoming program at The Gathering Spot. We will be celebrating the 100th birthday of with an exciting program. Visit bit.ly/jbatlcnp to reserve your space today!

"Now, with a diagnosis, my mindset is different- I know what seeds to plant and how to harvest the output. But maybe it is best to focus on one flower at a time." Dr. Deion Hawkins writes about his diagnosis for .

https://bit.ly/4ecUap8

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My Journey to an ADHD Diagnosis — The Reckoning I want to highlight my long but important journey to being diagnosed with ADHD and how I am continuing to grow my flowers. The diagnosis was not the rain; instead, it was the sunlight needed to illuminate how and where I could grow. 

On The Reckoning, Senior Editor, Dr. Deion Hawkins interviewed Ken Schneck, Editor of The Buckeye Flame, about his article "He’s 23 and in an Ohio Prison for Exposing Someone to HIV – Even Though He Couldn’t Transmit the Virus." https://bit.ly/3RgJnQW

Exposing the Injustice of HIV Criminalization: A Discussion With Ken Schneck On this episode of The Reckoning, Senior Editor, Dr. Deion Hawkins interviews Ken Schneck, Editor of The Buckeye Flame (). They discuss ...

We are proud to announce that CNP is a finalist for the 2024 Radio Mercury Awards for "Ridiculous Laws," our national campaign to raise awareness about the impact of laws.

The campaign included banner ads on major websites as a well as a radio campaign. This campaign supported our work with the Health Not Prisons Collective. Thanks to the Fors Marsh for their work on this important campaign!

Thank you for a wonderful May! From presenting on advocacy to Morehouse School of Medicine to celebrating our Media Roundtable accomplishments, CNP has had a busy month, and we look forward to what June has to offer.

For more information on what's happening in the CNP universe check out our June newsletter. Click here: https://bit.ly/4bWOgH1

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Friendships between Black q***r and straight men are more common than we discuss publicly. In the CNP universe and beyond these friendships are thriving. Do you have a personal story about brotherhood between Black q***r and straight men? Please let us know.

The gathered to discuss ' Reality Show,' as well as its themes and implications. Watch our roundtable on . Are you watching? What are your thoughts? Leave your comments.

https://bit.ly/3wjOFnQ

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Let's Discuss the 'Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show' In this episode of The Reckoning, the gathers to discuss and unpack Jerrod Carmichael's reality show and its portrayal of his q***r identity, relat...

As we welcome May, we want to thank all of the for an exciting April. The was filled with events and content throughout the month, and we're so grateful for all who were able to join us in person and virtually last month.

We encourage you to sign up for our upcoming Playwriter's Lab today - https://bit.ly/cnpnllath2

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"Dill’s forced departure occurred at a critical time where Black people, especially Black q***r people, could flourish and thrive."

On , Senior Editor, Dr. Deion Hawkins wrote about the legacy of Augustus Granville Dill, scholar, civil rights activist and mentee of W.E.B. DuBois. Dill, a Black gay man whose contributions have been lost to history because he was fired by DuBois and erased after he was arrested for a "homos*xual encounter" in New York City in the early 20th century. Read the article today.

https://bit.ly/3xEuukG

An Overdue Black Q***r Resurrection: Lifting the Legacy of Augustus Granville Dill — The Reckoning Each February, via Black History Month,  our nation has the opportunity and privilege to reflect on the legacy of Black Americans. From Google Doodles to corporate banks to federal proclamations , reaching far beyond slavery, observing Black History Month allows us to celebrate the s

"The lives of Black men are priceless
and can be saved."

We are imagining a print edition featuring a discussion on *xHemphill's work on his birthday. What is your favorite Ess*x Hemphill poem?

https://bit.ly/49M0j8I

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Thanks for a wonderful March of shifting the narrative, ! We have an exciting April, that includes several events, planned. We look forward to seeing you in person and virtually.

Join Us: https://linktr.ee/cnptribe

is CNP's GLAAD Media Award nominated digital publication focused on thought-provoking news and unique stories about the Black LGBTQIA+ community.

What's one of your favorite stories from The Reckoning? Post the link in the comments.

Read the latest today. https://thereckoningmag.com

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The Reckoning The Counter Narrative Project's (CNP) digital publication focused on thought-provoking news and unique stories about the Black LGBTQIA+ community.

Congratulations to CNP Media Roundtable member and award-winning playwright, Paris Crayton III. Paris’ play “Class Dismissed” is currently in production at Out of Hand. Running through April 14th, the show is part of the theater’s innovative “Shows in Homes” program. The one-act play is performed by actor Dotted Dee - Stage Manager & Streamer.

Listen to Paris and Out of Hand's Ariel Fristoe on the March 11th episode of WABE's City Lights with Lois Reitzes: https://bit.ly/43g5DPI

About “Class Dismissed”
When a dedicated teacher is reprimanded for an intentionally inclusive choice, we are swept up in a brewing storm of controversy as multiple characters debate the concept of 'divisiveness', challenge the notion of identity erasure, and weave an intricate tapestry of the impact of education on individuals and society.

We see you here at CNP. Click the link to sign up for our newsletter to learn more CNP's activities: https://bit.ly/joincnptribe

Congrats Paris!

Immersive play 'Class Dismissed' redefines theater as part of 'Shows in Homes' series - WABE Twenty-first-century theater is all about pushing the boundaries that define a “stage.” Theater can be immersive; it can be out on a public street, and with the “Shows in Homes” […]

“It can do a world of good if we can get the Austins of the world to speak up. He can acknowledge this as an important health issue, and talk about the steps we can take to treat it and encourage people to get tested early.”

https://bit.ly/prosawarenessarticle1

Lloyd Austin's Private Battle: Prostate Cancer, Stigma and the Impact on Black Men — The Reckoning When he was diagnosed with prostate cancer late last year, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin joined the 280,000 Black men annually identified with the disease. It’s so common, studies show, that 1 in 6 Black men will develop it during their lifetime . 

If you're interested in becoming a content creator, expanding your platform, or just interested in the relationship between content creation and social change, we invite you to apply to become a part of the CNP Content Creators Lab.

CNP’s Narrative Leadership Institute is one of the ways we shift narratives. The Narrative Leadership Institute is CNP’s program where we train advocates on various aspects of storytelling to advance social change.

https://bit.ly/cnpccl1

The 2024 CNP Content Creators Lab (Virtual) — CNP For the Spring 2024 CNP Lab, we are hosting a special workshop series called, the "CNP Content Creators Lab." If you're interested in becoming a content creator, expanding your platform, or just interested in the relationship between content creation and social change, we invite you to app

We are honored to support ZAMI NOBLA (National Organization of Black Le****ns on Aging)'s celebration of the life and legacy of Audre Lorde. RSVP by visiting http://bit.ly/audrelordereadathon

Repost from ZAMI NOBLA: This year marks the 90th birthday of Audre Lorde, a Black le***an, writer, warrior poet, and unapologetic feminist who taught us the power of speaking out, and living authentically. Her words were not just poetry; they were declarations, a rallying cry for justice, equality, and the right to be heard.

This is more than a birthday celebration. It's a reclamation of space, an assertion of identity, and a testament to the enduring power of Audre Lorde's work. Her words are our armor and our guide.

This event takes place in person at Charis and on ZOOM. This event is free, but registration is required for virtual attendance: http://bit.ly/audrelordereadathon (link in bio).

Event information: Sunday, February 18, 2024, from 1-5 pm at Charis Books & More, located at 184 S. Candler Street, Decatur, GA 30030

In-person event guidelines:
All attendees must wear a face mask at all times inside the building
We will begin seating people at 12:30 PM ET.
As a reminder: If you are not feeling well, please do not come to the event.
If you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request specific accessibility accommodations, please contact [email protected] or call the store at 404-524-0304

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Mario Cooper was born on February 8, 1954 (to May 29, 2015). He was an activist, political leader, attorney, and renowned national leader in the fight to end HIV, particularly in communities of color.

After graduating from Vermont’s Middlebury College in 1977, Cooper worked in the administration of President Jimmy Carter, and received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. During the 1980s and 1990s, he was a critical link between grassroots AIDS advocacy and influential Democratic lawmakers and Black leaders. His message was clear: provide the resources necessary to combat HIV/AIDS and support those on the front lines.

Years later, as the fight for marriage equality began to take hold, Cooper minced no words in expressing his concern. “As my white gay brothers and le***an sisters couch their claim of equality in the warm radiance of the Civil Rights Movement, they also seem willing to walk away from AIDS as it extends its grip on other, nonwhite communities. One gay activist I know even had the nerve to announce that names reporting was no longer ‘that big of a deal’ because ‘those’ people are used to being manipulated by society.” (Biography excerpt via National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) Ubuntu)

Today, on your birthday, CNP is proud to salute you, Mario! Happy Birthday!

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Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Read Dr. Deion Hawkins' latest article, 'Different Year, Same Advocate: Reflecting on 10 Years of Research and Advocacy' on .

https://bit.ly/nbhaad24article

Different Year, Same Advocate: Reflecting on 10 Years of HIV Research and Advocacy — The Reckoning I’ve now made a career out of being an award-winning debate coach and HIV advocate. Like the foundation of a home, being an advocate is a core part of who I am. Asking me to stay silent is like asking the ocean not to wave – it's against the very nature of its existence.

CNP is excited to welcome q***r media personality Anna DeShawn as our Narrative Justice Fellow. Anna, pronouns anything respectful, is a multi-award and The Podcast Academy Award-winning podcast producer and host. She is also a Chicago-born social entrepreneur who builds streaming platforms that center and celebrate & creatives. She was recently inducted into the Chicago Hall of Fame because of her commitment to the Chicago LGBTQ community.

The Narrative Justice Fellowship is CNP’s three-month program which aims to change public policy regarding HIV and HIV criminalization by changing the narrative about Black gay, bis*xual, and q***r men and the greater Black + community.

Congratulations Anna! We are honored to begin this journey of impactful work with you!

We see you here at CNP! Apply for The CNP Content Creators Lab - https://bit.ly/cnpccl1.

Welcome Anna!