Unmasked: Identity & Stigmas in the Black LGBTQ+ Community

For this episode of Unmasked, we invite some of Charlotte's most invested members of the Black LGBTQ+ community to provide depth to the conversation about mental health among Black people. How have mental health problems been exacerbated within this particular community? We delve into the unique intersectionality of race and sexual orientation, with questions surrounding self-esteem and identity within an often unaccepting society.

We uncover the sources of increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD—which fester from a lack of safe spaces, fear of expressing one's identity, trauma and the overall societal pathologization of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, specifically within the Black community.

The evening's conversation will be led by Charlotte Black Pride Chair Shann Fulton, joined by Youth Housing Specialist Shakira Clarke of Time Out Youth Center, Licensed Therapist Erin Steele, and Creative & Entrepreneur Jermaine Nakia Lee.

The discussion will be streamed via the Gantt Center's YouTube live channel.

How To Participate

Viewing this program is free and open to the public. To chat during the program and contribute your perspective, you will need a YouTube account with a Gmail email address prior to the program. If you do not have a YouTube account, click here for a step-by-step tutorial on creating a YouTube account.

The Charlotte Black Pride Chair and was born in Savannah GA, Shann Fulton (pronouns are they/them/theirs) grew up there and in the low country (Jasper County, Hilton Head, Beaufort SC area). Shann loves ALL sports, and is a HUGE Carolina Panthers fan. Shann is passionate about community, community building, and any type of philanthropic work. Family is a huge motivator for them.

Shakira Clarke is a native Canadian who has dedicated her life and career to ending homelessness among LGBTQ youth/young adults. She currently serves as the Youth Housing Specialist at Time Out Youth Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Shakira runs and oversees the Housing Program at the Center. Shakira also works at Roof Above, as the Youth Housing Specialist. Shakira graduated from Johnson C. Smith University with a bachelor's and Master's in Social Work. Shakira was also a lead researcher for data collection on LGBTQ homeless youth in North/South Carolina.

Erin Steele is a bilingual licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with clients who have suffered traumatic experiences. Her primary focus is to support people as they transition from one experience to the next. She is based out of Charlotte, NC.

Jermaine Nakia Lee is a songwriter, director, producer, arts educator and published playwright whose musicals FOR THE LOVE OF HARLEM and A WALK IN MY SHOES have enjoyed critical acclaim, sold out audiences and national tours.

For 8 years, Lee was program manager for a 501c3, federally funded community center for LGBTQ & allied youth/young adults of color in Charlotte called the POWERHOUSE PROJECT. Mr. Lee is the former Education Director for OnQ Performing Arts, Inc. OnQ is Charlotte's first professional African-American repertory theatre. He is the co-founder of Charlotte Black Pride, South Carolina Black Pride and Triangle Black Pride - all of which are still in existence.