'Flower Boys' - an artistic oral history of LGBTQ+ people through the lens of black queer leaders hosted by Derrick Young Jr. This project is meant to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ leaders and change makers who don’t always get their flowers.

In this episode:

Robert Reid-Pharr is a specialist in African American culture and a prominent scholar in the field of race and sexuality studies.

Reid-Pharr's book, "James Baldwin: The Making of an American Icon,” is a biographical account of Baldwin’s life. It investigates how such a radical individual was able to become one of the most popularly influential intellectuals of the 20th century. Working with archival materials at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Reid-Pharr was able to construct his analysis of Baldwin’s life.

Baldwin was an individual who stood so solidly outside the mainstream of American social and cultural life, yet he became one of the most prominent intellectuals of his time. Derrick and Robert embark on an insightful conversation to explore the lasting impact of Baldwin in today's society. They discuss how Baldwin's fearless advocacy and literary works continue to shape conversations on race, identity, and social justice.

Listen to Derrick and Robert delve into what the mandate in our society is today and how people of color and the LGBTQ+ community have embodied resilience for as long as we can remember.

---- Special thanks:

Aaron Hwang, Videographer and Video Editor

---- This episode is also available on the following streaming platforms:

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music

---- ---- Follow and stay connected with Derrick Young Jr.:

https://www.derrickyoungjr.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jr.derrick/ https://www.instagram.com/jdlovejourney/ ⁠https://twitter.com/jrderrickyoung?s=20⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickyoungjr/

---- ---- Follow and stay connected with Robert Reid-Pharr:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-reid-pharr-885354bb/ https://www.instagram.com/reidpharr/

Creator and Host: Derrick Young Jr.

FLOWER BOYS podcast

Introducing 'Flower Boys' - an artistic oral history of LGBTQ+ people through the lens of black queer leaders hosted by Derrick Young Jr. This project is meant to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ leaders and change makers who don’t always get their flowers.

All across the country, literature that speaks to LGBTQ+ experiences is being scrapped from school curriculums and removed from library bookshelves. 

George M. Johnson is an Emmy-nominated author and journalist. George's writing focuses on examining the intersectionality of the black queer experience, challenging traditional perspectives and celebrating the beauty of identity. George's book "All Boys Aren't Blue" is one of the most banned books in the country because it includes their experiences growing up as LGBTQ+. School boards in at least ten states have removed the book from their libraries. 

George is actively working on abolishing the structures and the confines that dictate the fact that LGBTQ+ people cannot be their most authentic selves at all times. 

Derrick and George explore the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in the media, vulnerability, and the challenges of living life authentically as a queer person. Listen to this candid conversation that sheds light on the hardships faced by black queer men that is often not seen in the media.

Special thanks:

Hollywood Unlocked Studios

Jean Dolin, Episode Creative Director

Claude Exama, Videographer 

Aaron Hwang, Video Editor

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This episode is also available on the following streaming platforms: 

Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher 

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Follow and stay connected with Derrick Young Jr.: 

https://www.derrickyoungjr.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jr.derrick/

https://twitter.com/jrderrickyoung

https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickyoungjr/

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Follow and stay connected with George M. Johnson:

https://linktr.ee/GeorgeMJohnson

https://iamgmjohnson.com/

https://www.instagram.com/iamgmjohnson/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/IamGMJohnson

Creator and Host: Derrick Young Jr. 

FLOWER BOYS podcast