PART I
PART II
PART III
The Evolution of Black Queer Expression Through Music
Before there was a movement, there was a melody.
Finding Strength and Community in the Face of Adversity
This is where the glitter fades, and the grief begins.
Rooted To Rise:
This section is for the ones ready to move — to build, lead, or rise again.
In this opening section, I take you through the hidden lineage of unapologetically Black, boldly queer artists who shaped culture — and in many ways, saved my life. From Ma Rainey to Little Richard, from Kevin Aviance to Tracy Chapman, these icons offered more than music — they offered mirrors. This part of the book is a love letter to the soundtracks that raised me and a corrective to the cultural amnesia that too often forgets where the soul really came from.
🎧 “If you know anything about Black music, you know it’s got soul — and that soul has always been a little bit queer.”
In these chapters, I walk through the shadows — of childhood trauma, of heartbreak, and of the ultimate wound: the disappearance of my mother. One day she was there. And then she wasn’t. She never came back. That kind of pain doesn’t just shape a person — it splinters them.
But this part of the book isn’t just about loss. It’s about what we do with the pieces. How community, creativity, and queer resilience pulled me back from the edge. How I found fragments of family in unlikely places, and how I began to reclaim the parts of myself the world tried to bury.
💔 “Rainbow Soul isn’t just about becoming proud — it’s about surviving what tried to kill your light. Even when it came wearing your mother’s face.”
Here, I shift from storytelling to strategy. From testimony to toolkit. I share how I launched Icon City, and what it takes to turn pain into purpose. We’ll talk about the entrepreneurial mindset — not for clout, but for service. About what it means to be a good mentor and a brave mentee. And how you don’t need permission to start — you just need alignment and action.
💼 “This isn’t theory. These are blueprints. This is how we build sacred spaces in a world that wants us small.”
Whether you’re a creative, a community leader, or someone just beginning to believe in their own power — this final act is your invitation to lead, launch, and leave a legacy.
