Representing the Church Avenue Merchants Block Association (CAMBA), B.Michael participated as a panelist on racism in the arts, business, legal and medical professions in 1990.
Conspiracies To Destroy Our Dreams?
Category: Documents
Building Communities Through Diversity
B.Michael worked briefly at Church Avenue Merchants Block Association (CAMBA) from 1990-91. While there, he was tasked with developing a Multicultural Diversity program and attended this conference targeting “community leaders on anti-bias strategies and coalition building techniques.” The conference co-chair’s remarks, also included below, offer one perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing New York City’s communities and the context in which B.Michael was operating at the beginning of the ’90s.
Denise Carty-Bennia ~ Rest In Power
Denise Carty-Bennia, B.Michael’s dear friend and mentor from law school, died tragically at the age of 43. Her obituary appeared in the New York Times.
At Northeastern’s memorial for Denise, B.Michael was one of two Alumni Tributes; he read a poem he wrote called “Shades of U.”
The Northeastern University School of Law created the Denise Carty-Bennia Memorial Bar Award in her honor.
A year after her death, the City University of New York School of Law at Queens College dedicated the Denise Carty-Bennia Auditorium:
Just a few examples of Carty-Bennia’s legal scholarship and leadership that B.Michael kept in his files.
A discussion on “Affirmative Action: Where Are We Headed” held by Carty-Bennia at Barnard College, her undergraduate alma mater, was recorded in 1990.
One of Carty-Bennia’s Constitutional Law lectures was recorded at Northeastern some time in 1981-82.
Other Countries – Volume II – Breaking Ground
Since the publication of Other Countries’ first journal in 1987, the Board of Directors discussed in earnest if/how/when to manifest their second volume. Once they decided to move forward, job one was to identify a managing editor, a role eventually taken on by B.Michael. The announcement was circulated across Vice-Chair Roy Gonsalves‘ signature.
The initial invitation for work had a submission deadline of February 15, 1991.
With a subsequent call for submissions by June 15, 1991.
BGoes Out
B.Michael pictured here in #2 to the right of Elbert Gates and Jacquie Bishop in the June 1990 issue of BG. At a reception of newly-appointed New York City commissioners, Dennis DeLeon and Dr. Billy Jones, both Gay Men of Color. This event was hosted by Boricua Gay and Lesbian Forum and Gay Men of African Descent, and sponsored by Gay Men’s Health Crisis.
Shout-outs to the fabulous community leaders in #1 — Val Kanuha, Chezia Carraway, Marjorie Hill; #3 — Gary Paul Wright; and #4 — Sandy Lowe.
“The Doors Will Open!” (earlier draft)
B.Michael wrote this poem in honor of activist Keith Cylar. He recorded a conversation with Keith (audio and transcript forthcoming) as part of a series of interviews with Black and Brown Queer men involved with ACT UP. He quilted them together in a kind of song cycle honoring Keith and three other warriors who deeply inspired him.
The curators of What I Miss? are not convinced that this is B.Michael’s handwriting! B.Michael was a proud leftie and this seems to be penned by a right-hander. If it was YOU, please let us know so we can acknowledge you!
Mama Doesn’t Know! Productions
B.Michael supporting Jacquie Bishop and queer people of color cultural organizing!
Enter: Godson Travis
Pictured below at 1 month of age.
The Other Story
Tongues Untied — A Cameo
B.Michael appears ever so briefly in Marlon Riggs’ groundbreaking documentary, Tongues Untied, beginning at 41:45. Pictured here near the Gay Men of African Descent contingent at the 1988 New York City Pride March, B.Michael gives fierce marshal diva in his pink, form-fitting uniform shirt.
Take a deep dive into Marlon Riggs’ work and his revolutionary vision here.