The Blackyard Collective
Annual Town Hall Report

Hello Michael!

I trust you are finding joy and connection during this 2025 Black History Month. Now more than ever, may we remember our ancestors who have made our lives possible and be inspired by their faith and fortitude as we face uncertain days to come.

On Sunday, the Blackyard Collective Advisory Board shared our 2024 report at the Annual Town Hall. In case you missed it, I have shared some highlights below.

To learn more about the work of The Blackyard Collective and how you can support our work, please email michael@theblackyard.org.

Thank you for your time and attention!

Love,
Michael

TOWN HALL HIGHLIGHTS

• Advisory Board Elections - May 2025

  • Nominee submissions will open in March

  • Nominees will be announced in April
    
    

• BYC Fundraising Strategy

  • 2024 Grants and Gifts: We are grateful to those who trusted us with their resources.

    • Broadway Cares

    • Fidelity Charitable

    • A multitude of Facebook/Instagram friends

    • 18 recurring donors

  • Crowdsource Funding: The work of The Blackyard Collective welcomes your support. Your donation will support shared meals, social gatherings, spiritual retreats, and mutual aid for the community.

    • BECOME A RECURRING DONOR TODAY! Recurring donations ensure that we have the resources to do the important work. Please commit to giving $5 or $10 or $25 … whatever you can spare. Every little bit helps.

    • HOST A FACEBOOK FUNDRAISER! Please consider hosting a birthday fundraiser on social media on behalf of The Blackyard Collective.

    • GRANT FUNDING! We are the only organization whose mission uniquely serves the Black queer recovery community. Please help us find funders interested in supporting this work.
      

• 2024 BYC Projects

  • Advisory Board Retreat in Washington, D.C. - February 2024

  • Graylin Ryan Chapman Memorial Service - June 2024

  • Annual Juneteenth Celebration - June 2024

  • Annual Fall Retreat in Ptown - October 2024

  • Blackyard Collective Conversations

    • Cultivating Black Queer Love, Intimacy, & Connection in Sobriety:
      An Interactive Workshop - February 2024

    • You Are Breathwork - Centering Black Queer Folx & Recovery - November 2024
      

• BYC Blogs & Newsletters

  • 2024 Kwanzaa Reflection Series

  • Transgender Day of Remembrance

  • BYC Blogs featuring members from the community

  • BYC Newsletter Archive
    

• The Graylin Grant Mutual Aid Fund

  • The Blackyard Collective has established a mutual aid fund in Graylin’s honor that will go directly towards providing financial assistance to Black queer and trans people on the path to recovery. 

    • $100 grants available to people in need.

    • The grantees can receive one grant per year.

    • Donors can give directly to the fund.

    • 2 grants were awarded in 2024. 

    • APPLY or GIVE TODAY!
      

• Join the Community Council

  • Members of the community who possess the desire to serve the community and support the work of BYC by providing expertise and professional knowledge.  

  • All/Any ethnicities are welcomed!

  • APPLY TODAY!
    

• MAKE US GO VIRAL: Like/Follow on Socials

  • Facebook: The Blackyard Collective NYC

  • Twitter/X: @Blackyard_NYC

  • Instagram: @theblackyardcollectivenyc