Hello Friends!

The Blackyard Collective is excited to announce the final slate of candidates nominated for the 2025-2027 BYC Advisory Board!

We are grateful to all who submitted nominations to ensure that we are led by a brilliant and diverse collection of leaders who will take The Blackyard Collective to the next level.

We invite you to attend the BYC Elections Town on Sunday, May 11th @ 3pm ET to elect our next three Advisory Board.

Additional candidates may be nominated at the Town Hall. The three candidates who receive the most votes from those present at the Town Hall will be installed on the Advisory Board.

Newly elected Advisory Board members will begin their two-year term on June 1st.

***All Advisory Board members must identify as Black/African-American.

Thank you so much for your participation and support.

Gratefully,
Michael 

With a full heart and deep gratitude, I want to thank the BYC Advisory Board members who have fulfilled their two-year term:

Kenneth Jones
Sean Smedley
Melvin Ingram

I am equally grateful to the remaining Advisory Board members who have decided to continue their service for another term:

Michael Crumpler, Delano Burrowes, Chris Patterson-Rosso, Jacob Haigler, Henian Boone, Jamie Hunter, Wiafe Mensah-Bonsu, and Tyrone Carter

The BYC is excited to launch The Blackyard Book Club. Our first book is Punch Me Up to the Gods by Brian Broome. 

This award-winning memoir is a raw, funny, and moving look at growing up Black and queer while navigating addiction and identity. It’s a powerful story about surviving, finding yourself, and learning to love who you are - which many of us can relate to.

The Blackyard Book Club will meet on 2nd Sundays at 7pm ET / 4pm PT: 

• Sunday, May 11th - We Real Cool, We Left School (Michael C) 

• Sunday, June 8th - We Lurk Late, We Strike Straight (Chris B) 

• Sunday, July 13th - We Sing Sin, We Thin Gin (Marcus H) 

• Sunday, August 10th - We Jazz June, We Die Soon, Tabula Rasa (Delano B) 

Here is the curated discussion guide for each session.

Watch this 2023 interview with Michael Crumpler and Brian Broome about his amazing book.

We hope you will join us!