Washington, D.C.-based comedian Anthony Oakes joins Our Black Gay Diaspora host Erick to share about healing through comedy. A DC Mayor’s Arts Award recipient, Anthony has commanded respect since the moment he first stepped onstage. He gets candid about how discovering comedy coincided with overcoming substance abuse, and how embracing his authentic Black gay identity transformed his career and deepened his understanding of diverse representation in comedic spaces. Funny, fearless, and deeply inspiring, Anthony has performed at DC Black Pride, the Kennedy Center, and the Apollo Comedy Club late-night stand-up series. A conversation you will not want to miss.

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What does it mean to move through the world as a Black queer man? In this episode, host Erick is joined by Dr. Mark Broomfield (PhD, MFA), an Associate Professor at SUNY Geneseo and author of Black Queer Dance: Gay Men and the Politics of Passing for Almost Straight. Dr. Broomfield unpacks how dance becomes a lens for exploring Black masculinity, sexual identity, and the daily risk assessments that queer men navigate. From the legacy of Alvin Ailey to the murder of O’Shae Sibley, this conversation explores what overall freedom means for Black same-gender-loving men. Dr. Broomfield introduces powerful concepts like “doing out” versus coming out, and the politics of “passing for almost straight.” Whether you’re a dancer or a scholar, this episode challenges how we see masculinity, identity, and the body.

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What happens when Black queer stories take center stage? Our Black Gay Diaspora host Erick is joined by Anthony Green, playwright and founder of Cagedbirds Productions, whose mission is to affirm the Black LGBTQ+ lived experience on screen and on stage. Anthony shares the personal story behind his hit play “When Boys Exhale” — a tribute to a friend lost to HIV whose favorite film was “Waiting to Exhale”. He also discusses Black cinema as a cultural touchstone to create “Gay Love Jones”, “Gay Soul Food”, and “The Gay Best Man” for the Black queer community. Anthony is building a Black gay renaissance — one story at a time.

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In this episode, Our Black Gay Diaspora host Erick is joined by Percy Mthombeni, South African chef and director of Vezabuhle Caters. Percy shares how his South African heritage and self-taught culinary skills shaped a career that moved from an auditor to a celebrated chef. He opens up about coming out during apartheid, being part of the first generation of Black queer South Africans to publicly claim their identity. Percy also discusses the personal losses and challenges of COVID-19 that redirected his path toward becoming a private chef. His story is one of cultural pride, authentic self-expression, and tenacity.

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Our Black Gay Diaspora host Erick is joined by Washington, D.C.-based rapper and songwriter LYRICALMAR. Inspired by icons like Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott, and Grace Jones, he shares how he turned a hidden talent into a bold, unapologetic music career. LYRICALMAR opens up about his discography that includes standout tracks like “Black Money,” “On a Roll,” and “Lick It Up.” He discusses homophobia within hip-hop, the visibility of Black queer artists like Lil Nas X and Doechii, and why representation in the music industry matters. From performing at DC Black Pride and WorldPride to collaborating with producers and choreographers, LYRICALMAR is building a legacy rooted in truth, style, and community.

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Our Black Gay Diaspora host Erick is joined by British author and poet Dean Atta. Described as the Gil Scott-Heron of his generation, Dean shares the inspiration behind his celebrated works, including YA novels “The Black Flamingo” and “I Can’t Even Think Straight”, and his memoir “Person Unlimited: An Ode to My Black Queer Body”. He opens up about writing for his younger self, navigating body image and identity, and the importance of Black queer representation in literature. He also discusses his BAFTA-winning animated short film “Two Black Boys in Paradise”, and why libraries remain essential safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth.

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Our Black Gay Diaspora Podcast host Erick interviews Nigerian-American Rashid Owoyele — managing partner at Transekt Agency in Berlin, Germany. Rashid is a transdisciplinary designer who explores social innovation, economic justice, and identity as an American expatriate. He breaks down what transdisciplinary design is, the underfunding of social work, and biases in institutional spaces. Rashid also speaks with Erick about building a BIPOC and queer platform cooperative and navigating life as a Black resident in Germany. From Occupy Wall Street to facilitating UN workshops in Thailand, Rashid’s journey is as expansive as it is inspiring. Whether you’re passionate about holistic problem-solving or social justice across demographics, this conversation will energize you.

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Our Black Gay Diaspora host Erick speaks with Vernal Scott — award-winning British EDI consultant and author of the 2025 memoir “UK Black.” Vernal shares his journey as a first-generation British-Jamaican citizen who organized the historic 1991 “Reach Out and Touch HIV/AIDS Procession with Flowers” — an event privately financed by George Michael and starring Whitney Houston. He opens up about atheism, losing his brother to AIDS-related complications, and navigating anti-Blackness within LGBTQ+ spaces. Vernal also reflects on his diversity work and his vision for a more equitable world. Raw, emotional, and inspiring, this episode is for anyone passionate about social justice and advocacy.

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(Original Air Date: 20 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 about his pride in being a Black gay American writer, podcast producer, and digital nomad.

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Our Black Gay Diaspora host Erick interviews Rinaldo Walcott — Canadian professor and chair of Africana and American Studies at the University at Buffalo. Born in Barbados and raised in Canada, Rinaldo is a leading scholar of Black diaspora cultural studies, gender, and sexuality. He discusses his landmark books, including Black Like Who?: Writing Black Canada (1997 and 2003), Queer Returns: Essays on Multiculturalism, Diaspora and Black Studies (2016), and The Long Emancipation: Moving Toward Black Freedom and On Property (2021). Rinaldo unpacks the distinction between emancipation and true freedom, why Black queer experience is often erased from diaspora and multiculturalism studies, and what it means to be Black across international boundaries. Thought-provoking and intellectually expansive, this episode is for anyone passionate about social justice and advocacy.

Rate, comment, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, and YouTube. For more information, go to Our Black Gay Diaspora. Thank you!

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