The 7th annual Native Son Awards honor queer black men

On June 12, Fr The Native Son Awards honored the achievements and contributions of Black Queer men society. According to press release from the Native Son AwardsHonored for “rewriting the narrative and changing the voice and visibility of black queer people and how they appear in the world” are: Law Roach, Jeremy Pope, Bill T. Jones, Chris Chambers, Keith Boykin and Gabriel Maldonado.

As we reported, Native Son was founded in 2017 by Emil Wilbekin. Wilbekin, a professor and community organizer, has been pleased with the event’s growth over the past seven years, he said in a press release.

“In the seven years since the inception of this awards show, we have seen it grow exponentially to become the most anticipated tradition in the community where we gather to celebrate not only Black queer excellence, but Black queer joy.” Wilbekin wrote.

“We are very excited to recognize the 2024 award recipients – an incredible group of men who truly embody the spirit of Black Queer Excellence in everything they do.”

The press release stated that Native Son “is a movement that exemplifies the duality of being black and gay in a society that always avoids and downplays their unique experiences. The goal of this movement is to create a protected space where the Black gay community can come together, have fun and empower one another, and most significantly, see one another. From the internationally renowned to the emerging, Native Son goals to attach and have fun members of this influential yet long-ignored community within the fields of art, business, media, fashion, politics and healthcare.

Roach is a star stylist with a client list that features Zendaya, Megan Thee Stallion, Kerry Washington and K.Michelle, and is an editor and the primary person to receive the CFDA Stylist Award in 2022; Pope is a multi-hyphenate artist who can be nominated for a Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe and two-time Tony Award nominee; Jones is a two-time Tony Award winner and a choreographer, director, dancer and author; Chambers is a public relations and communications skilled who has worked with artists resembling Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Usher and Erykah Badu, and was the founder and CEO of The Chambers Group; Boykin is a best-selling creator, television and film producer, and political commentator for various networks; Maldonado is an activist, organizer, and CEO of TruEvolution, a nonprofit organization focused on LGBTQ+ justice and HIV+ equality.

According to the press release, “The annual Native Son Awards recognize Black gay and queer individuals who are individuals and trailblazers who have broken barriers – both professional and personal. Native Son is committed to inspiring and empowering Black gay and queer people with a mission to harness their collective power by ensuring that their voices, visibility and lived experiences are uplifted.”

The awards ceremony might be hosted by former CNN anchor Don Lemon, and the awards might be presented by television and film star Nicholas L. Ashe, dressmaker LaQuan Smith, Color of Change president Rashad Robinson, and creator, thought leader and Native Son 2024 gala co-chair Darnell L. Moore. The awards, presented by Cadillac and Gilead Sciences, might be viewable via Native Son’s Facebook and YouTube accounts.