BlaqOut

“What would the response to HIV look like if led by Black people?”

That’s the question addressed by United We Rise, an intersectional, Black-led collaborative that re-imagines a pathway to the end of the HIV epidemic, while uplifting the health of all Black people. BlaqOut Public Policy and Advocacy Manager Devin Hursey attended this year’s meeting in Atlanta, GA to engage in networking and strategic planning with other diverse leaders in HIV from across the country.

We can’t wait to see what comes of this critical work! 👏🏾

BlaqOut is excited to officially announce Devin Hursey, MA, MPH, as Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy! 🙌🏾 The introduction of the role is a crucial step in formalizing BlaqOut’s advocacy efforts and aligns with our five-year strategic plan, the REACH Beyond Purpose Plan.

With Devin directing BlaqOut’s advocacy efforts, we double down on our commitment to amplifying the voices of some of the most marginalized—yet resilient—members of our community. His leadership will ensure that these communities are not only remembered but also empowered to take control of their own lives and futures. Together, we continue to advocate for change, driven by the needs and ideas of those we serve.

Welcome to the team, Devin! 👏🏾

Learn more: https://mailchi.mp/blaqout/meet-blaqouts-new-public-policy-manager

BlaqOut Founder/President and CEO D. Rashaan Gilmore and Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy Devin Hursey had a blast last week in Atlanta at the Southern AIDS Coalition’s Saving Ourselves Symposium (SOS)!

Designed to educate and empower the Black LGBTQ+ community in the South, this year’s conference—themed “Vibrance: The Kaleidoscope Effect”—spoke to the different experiences, approaches, and voices of our communities to create the freedom and liberation we seek.

Same time next year? ✨

That’s a wrap! 🗣️

Last Saturday, BlaqOut hosted the final installment of the BlaqOut Empowerment Summit in its current form. Our deepest gratitude to our incredible keynote speaker, Dr. Robyn Neblett Fanfair; our generous sponsors; and the resilient community that BlaqOut is privileged to serve.

As we sunset this chapter of BlaqOut’s history, our eyes are fixed squarely on the uncarved path ahead. Now the work to prepare for the next iteration begins—and we promise it will not disappoint. Stay tuned! 🙌🏾✨

In the meantime, check out the 2024 BlaqOut Empowerment Summit digital program book: issuu.com/blaqout/docs/2024_empowerment_summit_program?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

🚨EVENT START DELAYED🚨

Due to the delay of Dr. Robyn Neblett Fanfair’s flight into Kansas City, the start time of tonight’s Heart & Soul Mixer will be delayed by one hour. The event is now scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. at The BlaqBox, located at 3601 Main Street.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this unexpected and uncontrollable circumstance, and look forward to hosting you all at 7 p.m.

—Team BlaqOut

TOMORROW, BlaqOut hosts our 5th annual Empowerment Summit—the final Empowerment Summit of its kind. After this milestone event, the Summit as you know it will change forever.

Join us at 11AM on August 10 at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road, to be a part of the unprecedented journey we’re embarking on. We’re going out with a 💥bang💥, and you’re invited to witness it!

Space to attend this transformative event is limited, so get your tickets TODAY at blaqoutsummit2024.eventbrite.com! 🎟️

Time is running out to join BlaqOut at our 2024 Empowerment Summit! Join us THIS SATURDAY at 4801 Rockhill Road the final Summit of its kind. Doors open at 11am and the program begins at 11:30am.

Space to attend this transformative experience is limited, so get your tickets before they're gone at blaqoutsummit2024.eventbrite.com! 🎟️

Polls are OPEN! Now more than ever it's essential to take every opportunity to make your voice heard, so make time to get to the polls before 7PM. Visit www.kceb.org to find your polling location and learn what's on the ballot! 🗳️

Today's the LAST DAY to get special early bird pricing on tickets the 5th annual BlaqOut Empowerment Summit! 💸 Join us on August 10 for the final Summit of its kind. This isn’t just a Summit; it’s a milestone—and you don't want to miss it!

Get your tickets today at BlaqOutSummit2024.eventbrite.com. 🎟️

Calling all Missouri-licensed MDs, DOs, NPs, and PAs! 📢

BlaqOut is building out our team and seeking an entrepreneurial provider with a passion for serving diverse communities! If you want to make a direct impact on your community by helping to build Kansas City’s first medical home for Black LGBTQ+ people, apply today at www.indeed.com/cmp/Blaqout,-Inc./jobs.

On Friday, August 9, BlaqOut and MATEC invite medical and mental health professionals serving Kansas City's Black community to The BlaqBox, 3601 Main Street, for a fun-filled mixer featuring live entertainment, heavy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and an opportunity to meet Dr. Robyn Neblett Fainfair, the CDC’s Director of the Division of HIV Prevention!

This relaxing, yet informative, evening is not to be missed, so plan to join us from 6-7:30 p.m. and learn more about the critical work we’re doing to support Kansas City’s Black LGBTQ+ community. RSVP today: https://heartandsoul2024.eventbrite.com

Tickets for BlaqOut's 5th annual Empowerment Summit are now LIVE! 🎟️

Our Summit isn’t just another networking event; it’s a transformative experience that will shake the foundations of what you thought possible! ✨ Don't miss your chance to witness the evolution of BlaqOut and be part of the unprecedented journey we’re embarking on!

Get your tickets before they're gone at BlaqOutSummit2024.eventbrite.com!

The Black Q***r Leadership Collective (BQLC) is back—and, with so much at stake for our community, not a moment too soon! 😮‍💨

We’re looking for established and emerging Black LGBTQ+ community leaders to join us for the upcoming BQLC brunch THIS Sunday, July 28, from 10:30am to 1:30pm at The BlaqBox by BlaqOut, 3601 Main Street. This meeting promises to be worth your time and full of real talk, clarified objectives, and action plans for creating the change we all want to see! All in an uplifting atmosphere with food, drinks, and solidarity.

RSVP by THIS Thursday at https://ow.ly/F8ab50SIB8J!

Visits from our friends make Fridays at BlaqOut even sweeter!

Thank you to Transition Academy and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for stopping by to learn more about the substantial impact BlaqOut’s services on Kansas City’s Black LGBTQ+ community!

For many of us, s*x-ed class fell short of addressing subject matter relevant to our unique bodies and experiences. That’s why, on July 27, Front Porch Alliance Kansas City is hosting their second annual s*xual reproductive health symposium, "For Every Body."

This inclusive, day-long s*xual education course goes well beyond what you learned in school, addressing a variety of different subjects, such as q***r and trans family planning, men’s healing, peri/post menopausal health, and more!

To learn more and register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/for-every-body-an-inclusive-s*x-ed-course-tickets-883720520867

Get ready—this year's 5th annual BlaqOut Empowerment Summit is set to redefine the game, and believe us, it's everything we promised and more! 🙌🏾

Join us on Saturday, August 10, in Kansas City, Missouri, the "Show Me State," a place famed for its demand for proof and unwavering conviction. It’s the perfect backdrop for our "Show Me" themed Summit, especially with a trailblazer like Dr. Robyn Neblett Fanfair at the helm. 🤩 Recently making history as the first Black woman to lead the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention, Dr. Fanfair embodies the spirit of bold leadership and visible impact that BlaqOut prides itself on.

Mark your calendars for an electrifying day from 9AM to 3PM at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, located at 4801 Rockhill Road. This event isn’t just a Summit; it’s a milestone! As the final BlaqOut Empowerment Summit of its kind, we’re going out with a bang—and you’re invited to witness it.

Secure your ticket today at BlaqOutSummit2024.eventbrite.com for an exclusive sneak peek into the future of BlaqOut! ✨

This year, as the winds of change whip violently across our nation, we gather not just to speak but to spark real transformation! Join us for the final edition of the BlaqOut Empowerment Summit in its current form—a day where history is made, voices are amplified, and the future begins!

In the spirit of Missouri’s “Show Me” state motto, we’re not just telling, we’re showing what empowerment looks like for marginalized but resilient communities at the crossroads of action and innovation. Expect a compelling keynote from a national figure whose historic leadership is reshaping the landscape of health and empowerment. We’re keeping the details under wraps for now, so stay tuned. Trust us, this is a reveal you won’t want to miss! 👀

Tickets are flying fast so secure your spot now. 🎟️ Witness the evolution of BlaqOut and be part of the unprecedented journey we’re embarking on. This is where we make history. This is where we show the world the power of unified action and fearless commitment. This isn’t just another networking event; it’s a transformative experience that will shake the foundations of what you thought possible.

We can’t wait to unveil the future with you. Let’s show the world what we’re made of! ✨ BlaqOutSummit2024.eventbrite.com

Stand united for the issues you believe in! ✊🏾 Encourage your friends to register to vote in the upcoming primary election on August 6—BEFORE the deadline on July 10. Register at vote.org today! 🗳️

BlaqOut is on a mission to improve the lives of Black people of q***r and trans experience in Kansas City! BlaqOut's work encourages lasting, positive change by increasing access to affordable, affirming healthcare options and creating safe, empowering environments for Black LGBTQ+ people to become happy, healthy, and productive. ✨

Visit blaqout.org to learn more about our work!

Today, we celebrate the birth of American independence—but how free are we really? 🤔

In the wake of the recent and ongoing removal of rights for so many of our nation’s citizens—like the proposal and passage of countless anti-LGBTQ+ bills, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, etc.—we’re reminded of the poignant words of American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou: “The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.”

So, this July 4th, as we commemorate our country’s independence, may we remember that our liberation is inextricably linked and continue to work together to create a more just, equitable nation for everyone. ✊🏾🌈

Your voice counts, so make your vote count! You have ONE WEEK to register to vote in the upcoming primary election on August 6. Register by July 10 at vote.org today! 🗳️

With mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) spreading in the U.S., it’s up to us ALL to understand how the virus spreads and prevent it! The best way to stop the spread is by getting the 2-dose mpox vaccine. Visit www.blaqout.org/mpox to find a vaccination site near you! 💉

Are you interested in being compensated to provide your thoughts on the most important next steps to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV or high incident populations in Kansas City? Then join the City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department and the Missouri DHSS Bureau of HIV, STI, and Hepatitis for a community listening session on July 10 from 6-8pm!

Register by next Friday, July 5, at https://missouriwic.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_br9L53blhEn1DHU!

So nice we had to do it twice! 🤗

Today, we're hosting a resource table at University of Kansas Medical Center's Pride Month Celebration! 🌈 We love sharing information about our mission to improve the lives of Black q***r Kansas Citians, so stop by and see us if you're on campus! ✨

TOMORROW is your last chance to celebrate Men’s Health Month by learning about opportunities to support Black men’s health and reduce health disparities with OMHHE’s Black Men's Health Webinar Series! Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/BlackMensHealthWebinars

Oh, we are SO BACK! 🙌🏾

This evening the BlaqOut team is back in our happy place hosting a resource table at the premiere of two new chapters of the four-part Kansas City PBS series “AIDS in KC.” The documentary series, from Sandy Woodson and Emily Woodring, explores the early days of the AIDS crisis in Kansas City and its lifelong impact on survivors and their caregivers.

Check out parts three and four of the series when it premieres on Kansas City PBS this Thursday, June 27, at 7pm Central.

Sometimes our partners just GET IT! 🤓💡

Thank you to Gilead Sciences' Community Liaison Team Director Winston Langston (middle) and Community Liaison Jeremy Beshears (left) for visiting The BlaqBox to learn more about how BlaqOut's innovative care model supports those most important to us: our members! 🫶🏾