Guest Columnists

“Still in Love with You” What we give is what we receive. As those of you who check out my column know, I am all about Black Love, and my favorite recreational reading is romance novels. It thrilled my heart when I came across love stories written by LGBT/SGL authors such as E. [...]

“Boscoe Holder, Renaissance Man” Guest Writer: Bishop Hartsel Clifton Shirley An artistic ball of energy, creativity, passion, and fire sums up Arthur Aldwyn Boscoe Holder.  Trinidad’s and Tobago's leading contemporary painter, he also had a celebrated international career spanning six decades as a designer and visual artist, dancer, choreographer , and musician.  Geoffrey, his well-known younger brother, [...]

“With a Smile” Yes, I am getting older, as my mind and body are telling me. Later this year, I will be the first of my numerous cousins to cross the threshold of 70! I have my “senior moments” where I go into a room and forget what I went in there for. [...]

Tall and imposing. Standing 6'3”, fluent in Italian and French, James Arthur Johnson (stage name of Raymond St. Jacques) was a man who recreated himself into an actor of distinction--when it was rare for Black actors to get more than bit parts in movies and plays. Johnson was born in Hartford, Connecticut in [...]

“What a Difference One Voice Makes” These days, many people consider December 1 as World AIDS Day; I acknowledge that this does have its place, given how it has impacted the lives of the LGBT community and beyond. However, I remember this day in history for a different reason. I was three years old on [...]

“Black Love, Meet Cute” During my life, I have certainly read my share of LGBTQ novels. Unfortunately, many of them have portrayed African American pastors as villains and antagonists, including in the romance genre. However, I remain ever inspired by Toni Morrison’s quote, “If there is a story you wish to read, and it hasn’t [...]

“The Most Handsome Man in Harlem” Guest Writer: Bishop Hartsel Clifton Shirley A teacher,  model, and passionate patron of the arts,  Harold Jackman was particularly known for his involvement in the Harlem Renaissance and his dedication to preserving African American cultural artifacts. From the outside looking in, he was beautiful, yet elusive -– that’s the first impression one may [...]

“Summer Daze” Despite the challenges these past two summers have brought, this is still my favorite season of the year. This has been my time to chill and enjoy the outdoors, the open road, and the beauty of nature. As a child of the 1950s and early 1960s, this was a time for [...]

“Tales of the 1940s B*tch” Are you a card-carrying geek/nerd? Have Mean Girls been giving you a hard time, past or present? Then have no fear. You have an avenger, a crusader, an advocate--the 1940s B*tch! Indeed, I own it; I inherited Dad's offbeat sense of humor. In my VSS365 Twitter community, I [...]

“Ribbon in the Sky” Guest Writer: Bishop Hartsel Clifton Shirley Detroit is known for a few things: being the home of the big three auto manufacturers (Ford, GM, Chrysler); the birthplace of Motown, the record label that introduced beloved singers and groups such as Marvin Gaye, India Arie, the Supremes, the Commodores, and Boys II Men to [...]

Now and then, a talent graces the world with its appearance. It’s like a shooting star! And those who catch a glimpse are forever changed. This was the life of Franklyn Vincent Ellison Seales. Born on July 15, 1952, he was the fifth child of eight to Francis Seales, a government [...]