The BYC National Conference
Twenty-4-Twenty-K Founders Circle

Entrance gate to Tuolumne Pines in a wooded area with tall trees and a clear blue sky.

2026 Blackyard Collective National Conference
Friday, October 9th - Monday, October 12th
Tahquitz Pines Retreat, Idyllwild, CA

Imagine 100 Black queer and trans people from across the country gathering under one roof — resting, laughing, loving, and dreaming together. Imagine a weekend where our beauty is celebrated, our stories are centered, and our spirits are nourished.

That’s the vision of the first-ever Blackyard Collective National Conference — a sacred space for healing and homecoming, for solidarity and storytelling, for joy and rejuvenation. It will be the first national gathering of its kind, designed to build lasting networks of care and leadership among Black queer people who are creating change in their own communities every day.

The Blackyard Collective National Conference is a groundbreaking gathering designed to celebrate, connect, and empower Black queer and trans people across the country. Rooted in joy, healing, and collective liberation, the conference will bring together Black queer and trans people in recovery from all across the country to deepen our recovery from the grip of addiction and alcoholism. This is OUR homecoming  — a space where our brilliance is centered, our voices are amplified, and our future is imagined TOGETHER.

JOIN THE FOUNDERS CIRCLE

As we prepare for this epic event, The Blackyard Collective (BYC) is launching our “Twenty 4 Twenty-K” campaign — a call to 20 supporters to each contribute $1,000 and join the BYC National Conference Founders Circle.

Founders Circle members will:

  • Be recognized as early investors in this epic opportunity of Black queer and trans recovery and care.

  • Receive guaranteed conference registration, preferred rooming assignments, and honorary recognition at the conference.

  • Know that your gift directly supports equitable access for participants, community scholarships, and the infrastructure needed to make this conference a reality.

Your contribution is not just a donation — it’s an act of solidarity and belief in the power of Black queer and trans community to heal, create, and thrive.

Become a Founders Circle Member

TWENTY-4-TWENTY-K FOUNDERS CIRCLE MEMBERS

A smiling man in sunglasses taking a selfie at the beach with ocean waves and a clear blue sky in the background.

Michael Crumpler

A man with a beard and a top knot hairstyle, wearing a dark blue suit jacket and white dress shirt, smiling slightly in front of a plain light blue background.

Jacob Haigler

A man with a beard, wearing a dark cap, a beige sleeveless shirt, a black watch, and black beaded bracelets, sitting indoors with a relaxed expression, resting his chin on his hand.

Troy Goodwin

A close-up of a man with a shaved head and a beard, looking upward, wearing a black jacket, standing against a textured white wall.

Marvin Alexander

A young man with dark skin and a short haircut, wearing a white tank top, sitting against a light blue background. He is looking at the camera with a serious expression, resting his left arm on his knee, with his right hand holding his left arm. He is wearing a beaded bracelet on his left wrist.

Chris Patterson-Rosso

A man smiling outdoors with the ocean and bright sky in the background, wearing a green hoodie.

Reginald Woody

Close-up black-and-white photo of a young man with slicked-back hair, wearing a white blazer over a white T-shirt, sitting indoors with a serious expression.

Mizael Ramos

A middle-aged man with a bald head and gray beard, wearing a light gray button-up shirt, standing with arms crossed against a plain white background.

Delano Burrowes

A man with dark hair, wearing sunglasses, a straw hat, gold necklaces, a earring, and a beige shirt, taking a selfie outside on a sunny day at a restaurant or cafe with outdoor seating, a stone railing, and a clear blue sky in the background.

Jeremy Wenz

A smiling man standing outdoors at a crosswalk in a city, wearing a tuxedo with a white jacket and black lapels, black bow tie, and black pants.

Chris Bland

A young man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a dark blue polo shirt, standing with arms crossed in front of a lush green leafy hedge.

Chris Hoodye

Close-up of a smiling African American man with a bald head and a beard, wearing a black shirt against a blue background.

Tyrone Carter

A man taking a selfie outdoors on a balcony overlooking a lake under a cloudy sky.

Jean Paul, Jr

Carl Bremner

Vaughn Nichols

Dwayne Price

Corey Armstrong

A man with a dark beard, glasses, and a grey beanie wearing layered necklaces and a grey sweater with white stripes, posing against a plain background.

Rob Bryant

Garikai Madzikanda

A person wearing a striped shirt and a tan hat sitting outdoors on a wooden surface with a house and greenery in the background.

Malcolm Canute

The Blackyard Collective is a registered 501(c)(3) organization (Federal Tax ID # 88-3641425) and all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.