LGBT Black History Month Spotlight: The Young Voices

In collaboration with Philly Black Pride, we celebrate Black History Month with a weekly spotlight on local LGBT African Americans who are moving and shaking things up. Today, we showcase five young men who are making a difference. 

The Youth HIV/AIDS Activist

Robert “Otis” Pena is the Philadelphia ambassador for the Greater Than AIDS #SpeakOutHIV Campaign. The initiative seeks to utilize 25 ambassadors under the age of 25 to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and break the stigma associated with being positive. Pena uses his story to encourage folks to speak out about their HIV status and take control of their health. He also currently volunteers with Philadelphia Fight’s Youth Health Empowerment Project (Y-HEP), where he promotes testing among local youth.

The Community Advocate

Ariq Barrett is the founder of the I AM HUMAN Campaign, which works to end LGBT discrimination by mobilizing thousands of individuals to implement community service. Barrett is currently working on the PUSH Project to fight hunger with bi-weekly feeding programs in highly populated homeless and hungry areas of Philadelphia.

The Youth Advocate and Volunteer

DeAngelo Cameron is the youth ambassador for Philadelphia Black Pride and former chair of communications for The Black Gay Men’s Leadership Council. Last year, Cameron was the featured youth speaker for the AIDS Walk Philly, and recipient of the annual youth scholarship from Philadelphia Black Pride. Cameron is currently working to develop an education program to teach consumers and public health professionals the benefits of health information exchange in cities like Philadelphia.

The Dancer / Ballroom Advocate

Pop, dip, spin and serve: Last year, Taliz Mizarahi, of the House of Mizrahi, created a space for young individuals from the house/ballroom community to practice and developed their craft. Under Mizarahi’s leadership, a monthly Vogue Night Series was established in addition to monthly workshops for fellow voguers. Mizarahi is currently working on producing an awards night honoring those involved in the project and ballroom community leaders.

The Trans Rights Activist

Christian Axavier Lovehall is the founder of Philly Trans* March, a march for the rights and visibility of the local transgender community since 2010. Lovehall has continued to break barriers and raise awareness for the trans community through this march and the Trans Masculine Advocacy Network (TMAN), a monthly group for trans men of color to network and tackle topics relevant to the community.

This year’s Philly Black Pride takes place April 22-26. More information on the itinerary of events here.