Darius Caffey: Celebrating Accomplishments, A Moment of Reflection We're kicking off our first Black & Queer At The Table interview this season with Founder, and Creator, Darius Caffey. He shares some highlights about what has been going on in his life over the last year and finally gives himself some well-deserved credit as he reflects on things he's achieved so far. The interview touches on overcoming mindsets, accomplishing long-term goals, dealing with stress, figuring out life's purpose...
Jun 22, 2022•15 min
Featured Story by Vick - Conversation topics include LGBTQ+ youth, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), managing mental health, etc. #ClosetMoments are experiences shared by individuals from the Black, LGBTQ+ community through therapeutic outlets, to show others that they're not alone in their own life journey. This initiative is used to turn a narrative analysis of anonymously collected qualitative data into anthology-style nonfiction stories to assess long-term Queer belonging in Black spaces. Full Ar...
Feb 22, 2022•7 min•Season 2Ep. 1
John Holiday: Giving Himself Permission to Live & Love Founder, Darius Caffey, gets the opportunity to chat with Countertenor, John Holiday, about his own personal journey growing into the musical artist that he is today. Holiday has continued to share his light and his love with the world through the gift of music. Starting as a child, the artist quickly grew to become a perpetual student of the art. Whether it was with the youth choir, his studies in vocal performance, or his further exper...
Oct 28, 2021•52 min
Da'Shaun Harrison: The Literary Voice To Be Reckoned With 🚨 SPECIAL OFFER ON 'BELLY OF THE BEAST' 🚨 BELOW ↓ During this interview, Darius Caffey (he/him) takes a moment to chat with the Atlanta-based community organizer, abolitionist, public speaker, and writer: Da'Shaun Harrison (they/them). Together, they discuss the details of Harrison's debut book, Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness, and their creative journey with finding a voice in writing. They currently ...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Leon Waldo: Pushing Musical Boundaries by Embracing Queer Culture Founder of The Closet Unlocked, Darius Caffey, interviews LA-based singer, songwriter, and producer, Leon Waldo. They discuss his experience with making music the way that he wants to, the details of his latest album (Queerwave), and how embracing his queerness has led him to newfound freedom of self-expression. Leon explains that growing up in the choir and with music has been exactly what he needed to find his purpose. It gave h...
Aug 04, 2021•32 min
Siena Liggins: Creating Space in Pop Culture for Black, Queer Women. Founder of The Closet Unlocked, Darius Caffey, interviews Detroit's own Pop artist, Siena Liggins. They discuss her creative journey in making music, the visuals of her latest EP (Ms. Out Tonight), and how her experiences growing up as a Black, Queer woman have shaped the way she tells stories. Siena breaks down the different stigmas that are prevalent throughout the pop industry, and how she addresses them through her songs an...
Jun 29, 2021•27 min
Editor, journalist, and author, Jamal Jordan brings a breath of fresh air to Black, LGBTQ+ literature with his new book release. In 'Queer Love in Color', readers are able to see both loving images and read heartfelt stories of people of color falling in love from all across the world. Black & Queer @ The Table: - What started as a newsroom conversation and post-breakup article quickly became an inspirational story that led to a hardcopy book. When Jamal Jordan (digital editor, journalist, a...
Jun 14, 2021•5 min
Okay, we are giving y'all the greats this week! If you're a fan of the old school, you're going to enjoy this sample from Sister Rosetta Tharpe. If you know about being Queer, then you know it's a constant process. And If you know good books, then you'll love this photo book on Queer Love. Song of the Show: - As a 2018 inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Sister Rosetta Tharpe continues to go down in history as one of the greatest legends to play music. She was an American singer, songwri...
Jun 14, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Black & Queer @ The Table: - Since The Closet Unlocked is a safe space, we want to introduce you to a collection of them! The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) has come back with another collaboration, but this time with Out in Tech. Collectively, they created The Lavender Book, which is a safe travel guide for Black, LGBTQ+ individuals. It is modeled after The Green Book, which was a safe travel guide for Black Americans during the Jim Crow era. What started as a dream for Executive D...
Jun 08, 2021•3 min
This week's hot gossip includes the upcoming artist, Zé Taylor, having that “First Time” moment with someone, and the new Black, LGBTQ travel guide, the Lavender Book. Song of the Show: - As an upcoming artist, Zé Taylor has brought a new sound to the rap game. With songs like the Icy Boy Remix, Good Guy ft. Ky, and Melanin, we get introduced to more small parts of their life. We’re also able to see just how much they’ve grown as an artist since releasing their Eight and Nine V1 EP back in 2017....
Jun 08, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Black & Queer @ The Table - Black Women — that’s it. This week we’re celebrating another victory as Karine Jean-Pierre became the first Black, Queer woman to serve as spokesperson, leading a White House press briefing. She joins Judy Smith, the first Black, woman spokesperson in a congratulatory hug as they continue paving the way for others after them. - This was also followed up by Kristen Clarke becoming the first Black, woman to be Civil Rights Chief of the US Justice Department. So to r...
Jun 06, 2021•4 min
Song of the Show - Right in time for the day parties, Big Freedia is the one to add to your playlists! This New Orleans bred, Bounce Music culture icon gives it to you in all forms. They’ve been known to commentate on tracks, rap, act as a backup dancer, sing in the choir and play the piano. - You might had heard their collaboration on Beyoncé's song Formation, but they also have been featured with Kesha, Flo Milli, RuPaul, Lizzo, and more! Featured Story - In the story of Logan, the character b...
Jun 06, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Cartoon Network recently partnered with the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) to provide informational comic strips and cartoons to help the youth better understand pronouns. An even bigger surprise was when they brought in characters from the popular TV shows, Steven Universe and Craig of the Creek. This initiative will allow children of all genders to finally be able to see themselves represented in affirming conversations. It will also show families and peers how to have respectful, sup...
May 27, 2021•2 min
We have the Black & Gay, Back in the Day online archive to thank for providing us with an online way to see history and throwback photos of what life looked like for Black, Queer folks in Britain. The Table: - This time we’re doing things differently — we’re talking about Instagram! And no, we are not talking about the jacked-up algorithm that messes up our follower feed. We’re talking about an online, virtual archive of photos. The Black & Gay, Back in the Day Instagram account is a dig...
May 25, 2021•3 min
Our highlights this week are: the icon Frank Ocean, Learning how to stand up for yourself, and the online Black, Queer archive! Song of the Show: - As we spin the block on the ‘Blonded' album, we want to take a moment to just praise Frank Ocean. Whether it be with his voice or his pure creativeness, the world just cannot get enough. And although you should know who this is... if you don’t, we’re going to get you hip! Frank is most known for his debut album, Channel Orange, which featured the Gra...
May 25, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Layshia Clarendon is the WNBA's 1st openly trans and nonbinary point guard. And today, we are celebrating them for all of the work that they have done fighting for equitable rights of the LGBTQ+ and Black community. The Table: - At The Table this week, we wanted to show our support to Layshia Clarendon! This WNBA superstar has continued to use their platform to speak out against societal inequities, both on and off the basketball court. This includes standing up for LGBTQ Rights, addressing syst...
May 20, 2021•2 min
Funny Story: How did Victoria Monet get her Ass Like That? Why is dating such a mess? Can Cartoon Network fix gender discrimination? Find out on the next episode of Dragon Ball Z (just kidding - we’ll address it here) Song of the Show: - And another one! Another what, you say? Well, another hit! We’re back with Ass Like That this week by the beautiful Victoria Monet. Being born in the South, and raised on the West coast must have given her that edge needed to excel because this queen doesn’t mis...
May 18, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Okay, it’s all about Billy Porter, Finding Self-Love through Beyoncé’s music, and the courage of WNBA star Layshia Clarendon this week. Song of the Show: - This week’s song is brought to us by none other than the LEGENDARY, Billy Porter. As someone who has broken ground in the music, broadway, and now television world, it’s only right that we give them their flowers. Along with winning awards for iconic roles, this artist continues to push societal boundaries by living in their truth. Featured S...
May 12, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Have you heard the story of Siena Liggins, Becoming More, and the founders of Hood x Holistic? Song of the Show - We’re kind of taking it back with an old sample by The Temptations, with this week’s song My Girl by Siena Liggins. As a fairly new artist, Liggins has continued finding their voice in the genre of Pop. And if you really enjoy this song, the artist just released a new project titled 'Ms. Out Tonight' featuring Young Baby Tate. Featured Story - In the story of Devyn, the character tel...
May 03, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Okay, we have to discuss the founders and entrepreneurs of the HoodxHolistic podcast and Ash.a Co. The Table - We’re back again discussing what’s happening in Black, Queer culture. This week, we wanted to show support to Ashley and Cortney Adams-Matthewis. They’re a couple of entrepreneurs using their authenticity to spread more love in the world. With their podcast HoodxHolistic, they originally wanted to help heal those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. It has now grown a large fanbase of listener...
May 03, 2021•3 min
We're talking about Reclaiming Queerness and why addressing Bi-Erasure is important! The Table: - This episode is kind of about LGBTQ+ athletes, but more so about what they’re addressing: Reclaiming their Queerness and Bi-Erasure. Across the nation, more individuals are standing up for themselves in public spaces and demanding respect. With the Gay Rights Movement that began in the 1990s, more people have found tons of ways to speak out about their political rights. This includes respecting the ...
Apr 28, 2021•5 min
It’s all about Lil Nas X, Owning My Sexuality, and Reclaiming Queerness! Song of the Show: - In this week, we’re spinning the block on Lil Nas X’s song C7osure! This track, along with others on project 7, takes the fans on a more personal journey through the artist’s life. By having early career features with Billy Ray Cyrus, Cardi B, and Travis Barker, the Atlanta-born musician has already set the tone to be one of the greats. Featured Story: - With Maxwell, we find out how the character finds ...
Apr 28, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 3
We saiddd.. DreBae, Loving Yourself, And More Black Trans characters! Song of the Show - This week's song is Yikezzz by the upcoming rapper DreBae. You know the original track by Nicki Minaj, but this one has a different flow to it. Along with hopping on a recent track with Megan Thee Stallion, this California-born music artist also performed at the San Francisco Pride Festival. They are definitely making a name for themselves in the rap game and have been since 2018. - So if you haven't already...
Apr 28, 2021•15 min•Season 1Ep. 2
We’re talking about the music artist Chika, a story of the Truth Behind Black LGBTQ+ Power & Resilience, and news of Georgia’s new LGBTQ Senator Kim Jackson. Song of the Show This week we feature the song Crown by the music artist/rapper/songwriter Chika. Best known for their cover of Kanye West’s song “Jesus Walks”, they began releasing music officially in 2019 with the single “No Squares”. They were originally born in Montgomery, Alabama, and this artist has only continued to challenge the...
Apr 12, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Is this an empowering, inclusive, and welcoming space for Black, Queer folks? Yes, the hell it is! In this episode, the host DCaff explains the beginning stages of creating The Closet Unlocked platform. He briefly touches on topics such as The Black, LGBTQ+ experience Relationships Support networks And more which are expressed through each story. The 'in the closet' experience is something that has been rarely discussed in public spaces, yet it equips individuals with the strength and persistent...
Apr 12, 2021•8 min
