Emil Wilbekin is an award-winning American journalist, media executive, curator, and professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. He's also the founder of NATIVE SON, “a movement, community, and platform of Black gay/queer men who inspire, empower, and celebrate each other.” Emil is the former editor-in-chief of Vibe and Giant and editor-at-large at Essence. While at Vibe, he helped to elevate the careers of music artists like Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, and Aaliyah.

Anastacia-Reneé is an American writer, educator, interdisciplinary artist, playwright, former radio host, and TEDx speaker. She is the author of Forget It, Sidenotes from the Archivist, and Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere. Side Notes From The Archivist was selected as one of “NYPL Best Books of 2023” and the American Library Association's (RUSA) “Notable Books of 2024.” Anastacia-Reneé is a recipient of the James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award and was selected by NBC News as part of the list of "Queer Artist of Color Dominate 2021's Must-See LGBTQ Art Shows," for “(Don’t Be Absurd) Alice in Parts”, an installation at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, Washington.

Jay Penn is an American writer, producer, and singer. His 2024 album, Sky High Sunsets, features the songs “Euphoria (Say Yes)” and “Money”. In 2020, he released the EP, Before Then. His 2018 EP is titled Pennding. Jay is also the creator, writer, and lead in the SLAYTV web series, Love & Us. It centers on the lives of three 30-something Black gay men who navigate dating and friendship in Los Angeles. Photography by @giannasnapped and graphic design by @jazimarj.

André Wade is the State Director for Silver State Equality, Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. André leads legislative, policy, and government affairs work, as well as fundraising, political and advocacy activities. In May 2018, he was one of The Advocate's ‘Champions of Pride’. In May 2023, André was featured in Modern Luxury Las Vegas magazine as one of the 15 Most Influential People. His book, Seven Ways to Disappear: The Book within the Book, is “a creatively insightful guide to the reinvention of the self.”