GRIOT Circle, Inc.

With the unofficial end of Pride month, recognizing at GRIOT we celebrate Pride year-round, we want to share some exciting June highlights!
It was a full month of celebrating LGBTQ elders of color and many opportunities to participate in events that broaden our work to new audiences.
And we're not done yet as we have more exciting plans for the next 6 months! And just know we couldn't do it without your support, so thank you, and enjoy reading what happened in June.
https://griotcircle.org/4205-2/

Due to the heat advisory expected for Wednesday, July 17th, the outing to Manhattan Beach has been canceled.
We hope to reschedule soon.
In the meantime, we ask that you take care during this hot weather and make sure to check on your elderly friends and family.

GRIOT Circle offers a huge thank you to NYC Cares, Loreal USA, Grubhub and Food Recovery for hosting our PRIDE Senior Day, last week at RAICES. First the seniors were treated to a makeup and spa session by volunteers from Loreal and we ended the day with lunch, courtesy of Grubhub and Food Recovery, based in Washington DC and their mission is addressing food insecurity around the country.
It was a great time by all and we couldn't have done it without the volunteers who support the work of GRIOT Circle!!

Join a music-filled life storytelling series for Older Adults in the LGBTQ+ community to come together and share stories about the songs that helped shape us. You will have the option of recording one of your stories as a digital keepsake. Join our monthly summer sessions, beginning Friday, July 12 at 10am. Register today by visiting https://forms.gle/Fy6CFTJiKwo41bLi7 or email Ezra at [email protected].

Brought to you by GRIOT Circle, Inc. and Life Story Club.

As today is unofficially the last day of PRIDE Month, as we recognize the celebration of gay Pride every day, GRIOT Circle is pleased to share reflections of our members in the latest copy of USA Today paper.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the article as it's your stories that keep our history alive!

I grew up without LGBTQ+ role models. These elders paved the way for us to be ourselves. Spending time with a group of older LGTBQ+ community members reminded me how much the world has progressed.

GRIOT Circle congratulates GRIOT's Executive Director Aundaray Guess, who was selected as one of the 2024 LGBTQ Power Players.
As shared by Aundaray "To see the people on this list and to know I was selected is so humbling and a great honor.
Growing up, scared of my truth, it's something when you strip yourself of other's opinions and live your true full life unapologetically. This acknowledgment is not why I do what I do, but it's wonderful to be recognized for it!"
Congratulations again to Aundaray and everyone else!

Sharing a great article from the historic paper, Amsterdam News highlighting the work of GRIOT Circle.

June is Pride Month Every June, I try to take the time to learn more about LGBTQ+ history and support organizations doing the work to make our society more just and inclusive.

There's so much happening this PRIDE month and we hope you can join us at GRIOT Circle as we celebrate!
Check out our June offerings of events for LGBTQ older adults. All events are free and it's a great way to make new friends or simply be with the community.
For more info, click the link below.
https://griotcircle.org/?page_id=4191
To RSVP for any event or to learn more- contact Lisa Eddy at [email protected]

Griot Circle showed our Pride today at Brooklyn Pride. A huge thanks to the staff and volunteers who made this all happen. And an extra huge thank you to everyone, members and the community who stopped by.
Happy Pride weekend!

In partnership with BAM,
You’re invited to a
Senior LGBTQ+
Drag Brunch & Dance Party

THU, JUN 13 AT 11AM
BAM FISHER (321 ASHLAND PL) HILLMAN STUDIO
To RSVP contact Lisa Eddy [email protected]
or
To also reserve a spot, please contact [email protected] or call 718.636.4123. You will receive a confirmation to attend. Come ready to connect, create and have a great time.

Catchafire - The Impact of Virtual Volunteering See how Mark H. helped GRIOT Circle on a Storytelling project.

On June 11th, 2024 at 1:30pm, Stonewall CDC is hosting a NYS Office for the Aging Master Plan for Aging (MPA) Town Hall with state representatives at The LGBTQ Center located at 208 W 13th St, New York, NY.
Griot Circle will be in attendance.
The MPA will guide the state's funding and policy priorities for years to come.
You must register to attend. In person https://bit.ly/458Bovc.

Via Zoom https://bit.ly/3V8iS1i
This is an opportunity to ensure that LGBTQ+ concerns are heard and understood. To achieve that, it is important that this meeting have a high percentage of LGBTQ+ and ally attendees.
We have also set up a webpage where you can see the plan report, comment on things you'd like to see changed or covered and see what input other LGBTQ+ community members have offered. You can also register for the event from this page.. https://www.stonewallcdc.org/mpatownhall

Master Plan for Aging Town Hall - Virtual – The LGBT Community Center Let's gather at The Center for the Master Plan for Aging Town Hall - an awesome event to discuss the future of our aging community!

Today is Give OUT Day
Please support the work of GRIOT Circle as we affirm the lives and experiences of LGBTQ older adults of color!
We're one of the few organizations that provide culturally competent wellness opportunities for LGBTQ elders of color.

As you may know, LGBT elders of color—burdened by a lifetime of racial inequality and anti-LGBTQ discrimination—face even greater health and economic challenges that impact their lives as they age.

For 28 years, GRIOT has helped elders confront these challenges by offering innovative wellness and supportive opportunities.

With Pride a few days away, there's still so much to be done, and like our members and ancestors, we stand resilient against forces that seek to oppress us and stand firm in our identities as LGBTQ individuals. We also know you stand with us, as well.

Please support GRIOT's work today on Give Out Day. Any amount will make an impact.

Your support will make a huge impact, especially during budget cuts and continued attacks on diversity and equity efforts.

Click the link to donate- https://www.giveoutday.org/organization/griotcircle

GRIOT's motto this year is Unyielding PRIDE, Enduring Legacy; Black Seniors Shine! Let's help them really shine by giving today!

Learn more at www.griotcircle.org

If you're planning to attend this year's Brooklyn Pride, make sure to look for us and say hello!
We'd love to see you!

Sharing recent pictures of GRIOT members attending the fabulous LGBTQ older adults Prom, hosted by Brooklyn Community Pride Center.
Everyone got their steps in and had a blast as they came together as a community to celebrate each other!
A huge thank you to everyone who made this happen and of course, a huge thank you to the seniors who showed up and showed out!!
Keep an eye out for other great upcoming events for us, by us!

Harlem Pride 2024 is right around the corner and there's still time to get involved! Sign up to be a volunteer and help build community.

Scan the QR code or click the link below to learn more:
https://linktr.ee/harlempridevolunteers

Brooklyn Museum Outing
Date: Friday, May 31st, 2024
Time: 12:30pm – 3:30pm
RSVP by: Friday, May 24th, 2024

Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052

Join GRIOT Circle for a wonderful outing at the Brooklyn Museum. This event is open to any LGBTQ elder. We always welcome new people and invite you to join us. Great way to meet new friends.

General Admission is pay-as-you-can. If you would like to view the "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" exhibit, it will be a $10 entry fee.

SPACE IS LIMITED! RSVP REQUIRED!
TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE!
Reserve your spot by emailing [email protected] by Friday, May 24th.

Black LGBTQ seniors require our support. Participate in Give OUT Day on Thursday, May 30th, and contribute to GRIOT Circle, Inc. LGBTQ elders of color face significant health disparities, including depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and HIV/AIDS. Additionally, 39% have seriously considered su***de, and 53% feel isolated. Few resources are providing culturally competent services to meet these needs.
GRIOT Circle was established to lower these barriers and provide wellness and supportive services, as well as a community space for older adults of color. Every contribution is impactful.
Learn more!

Support GRIOT Circle on Give Out Day The spirit of Pride continues to live on in our LGBTQ community’s resilience in the fight for equality. The struggle has never been more significant given COVID-19 and the the movement to truly make “Black Lives Matter.”

Connect with nature, learn about gardening by planting herbs and vegetables, take a few herbal samples home for your wonderful salads, and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
Space is limited!

Reserve your spot by emailing [email protected] by Tuesday, May 28th

It's simply delightful to share how GRIOT Circle has blossomed in the last 6 months. We've joyfully welcomed a new Executive Director, launched a range of exciting new programs and events, and rekindled as well as bolstered our bonds with community organizations that champion GRIOT's mission. This mission, dear to our hearts, is to be an affirming and wellness space for LGBTQ older adults of color.
Read on to discover the amazing journey GRIOT has been on!
https://griotcircle.org/griot-circle-2024-spring-updates/

Dear GRIOT Community,
A reminder to join us!

Join and dance the night away for a first-ever LGBTQ+ Older Adults Prom! A night of fun, good tunes, and community awaits! This event is for ages 50+ and their guests. Dress your best or just come to have fun.
RSVP today at lgbtbk.co/prom

Also share with your network!

Join us on
May 9, 2024
at SAGE Center Harlem
(220 West 143rd St, New York, NY)
for
Happening In My Mind
Examining & Exploring Alzheimer’s/Dementia in LGBTQIA+ Black, AAPI, and Peoples of Color Communities.
Register at bit.ly/HMMCF509