Our Black Gay Diaspora Podcast

Season 4 debuts with Our Black Gay Diaspora Podcast's first episode of the new bimonthly On The Panel series. Where guests return to join me and sometimes others to share their insights and experiences on various topics. For this discussion, I’m joined by Episode 63’s Byron Adu from Australia, Episode 12’s Lennox Benson from the UK, and Ep. 57’s George Kachimanga from Malawi.

(Original Air Date: 21 June 2023) Our Black Gay Diaspora Podcast's creator, host, and producer Erick Taylor Woodby is interviewed by Gamal 'G' Turawa, an ED&I facilitator, transformational storyteller, and the protagonist in the 2022 BAFTA-wining documentary, The Black Cop. Erick shares his pride in being a Black gay American writer and digital nomad.

Andrew Michél Thomas is a German-based Afro-Jamaican-Haitian-Canadian researcher and English-language teacher and intercultural trainer. His work centers on queer men and persons in Afro-diaspora communities in Germany and Europe, with a focus on the city of Berlin. This includes how “…mutuality of place, identity, and self shape belonging, inclusion, place bond, or attachment to a place…”

Phineas Newborn III is an actor, dancer, choreographer, and producer whose career highlights include the 1984 breakdancing-themed film Breakin’ and the Broadway musicals Cats, Ragtime, and Aida. He's also been featured in films Girls Just Want to Have Fun and the television series Fame. As a dance instructor, he's taught in Germany, France, England, Sweden, Japan, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Phineas has choreographed and performed with Gladys Knight, James Brown, Prince, Jasmine Guy, Paula Abdul, Seal, and Lenny Kravitz, to name a few. Thank you to Gamal ‘G’ Turawa for connecting us.

Dr. Julius J. Johnson-Weaver is the founder and chief physician of Resolve MD, a primary care medical practice. Led by Dr. Johnson-Weaver, a transgender, non-binary physician, RMD Proud is Resolve MD's gender-affirming care program that provides gender-affirming hormonal treatment for transgender and gender-expansive individuals. Dr. Johnson-Weaver is a medical professional and community member outspoken against racism, sexism, homophobia, and negativity against transgender and gender-diverse people.

Dennis L. Carney is a British therapist, facilitator, and activist with over 25 years of experience developing and facilitating a diverse range of courses exploring themes around sexual and mental health, identity, equality, diversity & inclusion. He's the founder and chair of Black Connection, a UK-wide social network for Black queer men over 50. Additionally, Dennis is an advisory board member for EBANMAN, a publication showcasing the professional lifestyles of mature Black queer men within business, travel, and arts & entertainment.

Pax Ahimsa Gethen is an American transgender vegan atheist, pacifist, blogger, photographer, and Wikipedia volunteer editor. In August 2023, Pax was awarded Wikipedia’s 2023 Media Contributor of the Year. Through their blog site, funcrunch.org, Pax is a dedicated advocate for marginalized communities, highlighting transgender and Black social justice causes and cultural milestones. 

With over 30 years of activism, Marc Thompson is one of Britain’s leading HIV and Black queer men’s health campaigners. He's the Director of The Love Tank and co-founder of PrEPster, which “seeks to educate and agitate for PrEP access in England and beyond.” Marc has co-founded other organizations like BlkOutUK and Black and Gay Back in the Day.

Ruele Okeyo is a Kenyan human rights defender, HIV champion, and the U=U ambassador in Kenya for the African Forum. U=U stands for Undectable mean Untransmittable. Ruele is the Director of Kenneth and Jacob's House, an organization offering “temporary transitional housing and care, safety and protection, psychosocial support, advocacy, and social life skills for LGBTQ runaways and homeless youth in Kenya.” He's also the creator and host of the podcast, Sex-Ed By Ruele-ations.