Native Son Fellows alongside Rashad Burgess, Darwin Thompson,

Terrell Carter, George M. Johnson, and Jordan E. Cooper  (Photo Credit: Native Son)

 

Native Son Turns 10, Then Hands the Mic to a New Generation

At its 10th anniversary celebration weekend, Native Son did what any self-respecting cultural force does when it reaches double digits: It celebrated the past, looked sharply toward the future, and launched something with enough purpose to outlast the party.

During Native Son’s milestone 10th Anniversary Awards Weekend, June 19–21, the organization introduced the inaugural Native Son Fellowship, a new initiative created to support Black LGBTQ+ content creators, advocates, artists, journalists, and cultural leaders who are shaping conversations about wellness, representation, and HIV awareness. 

Supported by Gilead Sciences, Inc., the fellowship represents a significant new chapter in the longstanding partnership between the two organizations, which have worked together over the years to elevate community-driven perspectives, foster meaningful dialogue, and center the lived experiences and leadership of Black queer people.

The idea is both elegant and practical: Invest in the people already trusted by their communities, then give them the resources, access, and platform to tell stories that can help reduce stigma, increase awareness, and connect more people to culturally competent HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care.

“Gilead Sciences is proud to support platforms like the Native Son Awards that celebrate leadership, elevate culture, and amplify trusted voices across Black communities,” said Rashad Burgess, vice president, corporate responsibility, at Gilead Sciences. “Our work at Gilead is grounded in the belief that scientific breakthroughs only matter if they reach the people they are designed to serve. Through partnerships like this, we’re helping confront stigma, remove barriers to care, and advance healthier, more equitable futures.”

The inaugural fellowship cohort participated in a series of immersive experiences throughout the anniversary weekend, including a Creator Lab and Story Incubator focused on culturally relevant health communications, the Native Son Awards, Native Son House, and a fireside conversation with R&B singer and actor Terrell Carter and award-winning playwright and actor Jordan E. Cooper. The fellows will continue their engagement through a post-event advisory roundtable and ongoing content creation centered on health equity, HIV awareness, and community wellness.

The inaugural Native Son Fellows include:

Osaze Akil (@osaze_akil), a contemporary visual artist and experiential designer

LaQuann Dawson (@laquanndawson), a photographer, filmmaker, and multidisciplinary artist

Frank Grimsley (@franknthecity), a content creator, motivational speaker, and Season 4 winner of Netflix’s The Circle

Shahem McLaurin (@5hahem), a licensed therapist, social worker, and host of the Freedom Collective Therapy podcast

Trey Sherman (@treymous), a filmmaker, television producer, and co-host of the talk show Just Press Play with Ell & Trey

Jay Tibbitts (@jaytibbitts), a fashion critic, style and culture commentator, and content creator

The fellowship arrives as Native Son celebrates a decade of building community and elevating Black queer voices. What began as a digital platform created to increase visibility and representation for Black queer men has grown into a nationally recognized movement and cultural institution, one dedicated not only to celebration but to advocacy, leadership development, cultural engagement, wellness, mentorship, and year-round community-building.

In other words, Native Son did not simply throw itself a 10th birthday party. It used the occasion to make a declaration: The next generation of storytellers is not waiting politely in the wings; they are already here, already creating, already leading, and now, with the Native Son Fellowship, they have another room built specifically for them.

For additional information about Native Son and its Pride events and initiatives, visit  www.Nativeson.us.