Hello Michael,

As one of the hottest summers on record comes to a close, I trust that you were able to get some rest, have some fun, and connect with your people. 

For me, the end of summer and the arrival of fall always bring mixed feelings of sadness and anticipation. Sadness, as the days become shorter and the nights become colder … and the anticipation of new beginnings, a fresh restart, and the beauty of autumn leaves. 

What I am most excited about during these latter days of September is the coming of The 4th Annual Blackyard Collective Ptown Fall Retreat. This is that special time of year when our members pile into a van and travel to beautiful Provincetown, MA, for recreation, relaxation, and renewal.

This year, in addition to hiking, biking, eating, dancing, and people gazing, we are making more time for reflection, connection, and spiritual transformation.

If you are a Black queer person in recovery, we invite you to join us for this incredible journey to Ptown.

If you are a supporter, we invite you to share our event and if possible, make a donation so that as many as possible will be able to join us.

May these final days of summer be long, and your imminent fall months be beautiful and blessed.

Love,
Michael

Michael Crumpler is a Black queer person with a big smile, wearing thick-rimmed glasses, a blue shirt, and gold necklaces.

Jamie is a Black woman, with black blown-out hair wearing a colorful tube dress and sunglasses, smiling and waving a colorful fan, standing on a pier in front of water.

One of the first things you notice about the Blackyard Collective board member, Jamie, is her smile; it takes over her entire face, competing with her bright, open eyes for your attention and daring you not to smile back. Then there’s the laugh -  warm and deep in an exuberant and comforting way. You know that one friend that you’ve never heard anyone say a negative word about? This is Jamie today, but it wasn’t always the case.  It has taken her a long time to become the woman she is today, and her story is one of perseverance, resilience, connection, and, ultimately, joy. 

Jamie’s recovery journey started in 2016 in Los Angeles when she first went to rehab for her crystal meth addiction and decided to get sober. She stayed three weeks before being kicked out and living on the streets. She soon became comfortable living a life of day-to-day survival until one night when she was washing up in a gas station, looked up and saw her reflection in the mirror.” She thought, “This wasn’t what I wanted for my life and what I deserve,” [but] I still  don’t know how to change it.” That was when a seed was planted that happiness might be possible in her future. 

After a while, Jamie ended up in New York. It was a new city but the same cycle of day-to-day survival. One day, she thought again about the life she wanted and decided it was finally time to get it. She went to GMHC to attend a Friday night 12-step meeting, which she assumed would be a small gathering. Instead, “ it was packed with so many people, and I listened to what they were saying, and I immediately felt at home.”

READ MORE

Images courtesy of Christian Ledan Photos.