Mark the date:  Friday, April 9!

That’s when a brand new episode of WYATT!, my fast-growing and compelling podcast, returns to the airwaves!  The podcast can be found on both YouTube and Spotify.

Special guest for this installment of WYATT! is Mr. Wes Morrison, a gentleman who has activism in his blood—and DNA!  “Out and Proud,” Morrison’s a passionate activist for seniors and the LGBTQ Community.  The constituencies that he serves will tell you that he’s dogged and tenacious about his critical and satisfying work.

I’ll have a meaningful and insightful conversation with this activist who’s giving back–and making a real difference in the community!  We’ll delve into his journey–which included debilitating depression.  He’ll reveal just how he managed to conquer this disorder to live his best life.

At the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Morrison lost more than a hundred friends.  He says that he ceased counting at 100.  It’s certainly not hyperbole to say that a loss of that magnitude is overwhelming!  Mind-boggling also comes to mind. Understandably, the activist states that the experience was “a low point.”  We’ll also point out the similarities between the COVID pandemic and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Then, in 2009, he (and 27 co-workers) was laid off from his job as an assistant television producer–a role he’d held for 32 years.  At the same news station!  A major blow for anyone to absorb.

This led to a painful bout of depression.

A few years ago, I wrote an in-depth, multi-part series for the Huffington Post and Wyattevans.com on how depression affects Black LGBTQ individuals.  This affliction has a particular and peculiar grip–as well as a disproportionate impact— on this population.

Wes and I will drill down on the various types of depression and the symptoms, not to mention the stigma that comes with it.  And we will explore just how discrimination surrounding LGBTQ identity—as well as systemic, institutional racism—can make Black LGBTQ persons especially susceptible to this disorder.

In the months after his job loss, the activist says that he felt angry and useless.  And depressed.  He was 62 and had planned to retire at 70.  (As luck would have it, he had a pension and was eligible for severance pay.)

Morrison gave an interview to IONA, an organization that supports those individuals who are experiencing the challenges of aging.  IONA’s mission is “to educate, advocate, and provide community-based services to help people age well and live well.”

In that interview, he stated, “’ It felt like there was not only a hole in my life but also a hole in my heart’.”  Luckily, just as he was starting to feel “’ sick and tired of being sick and tired’,” something quite propitious occurred that gave him purpose.

And rejuvenated him!

So, join Mr. Morrison and me this Friday for some powerful and poignant radio!

And always Remember:    WYATT! is “Eargasm For Tha Grown Folks!”