News
Here is the agenda for this meeting:
- Introduction to the new members of the Board of Directors that will help guide/shape the
success of 2007 and beyond! (We have an amazing, dynamic, and talented leadership we are
excited to introduce!)
- Planning SBP 2007-SBP 2006 was a huge success, it's time to start planning for 2007 and
making it even a greater success! We want the community to help decide the theme for SBP 2007,
July 19-22nd. Last year was "Emerald Cities: Mocha Reign." Bring your creativity; this is important!
- Volunteers: we will be starting to form committees of people to volunteer their time and interest
in particular segments of the large annual celebration. The most immediate need for volunteers will
be for our upcoming big New Year's celebration: "A Red Carpet Affair"
- We also need volunteers for the holidays! It's time to give back to the community in a big way!
Sign up to volunteer for a Thanksgiving community service event—more info to come.
If you have been wanting to get more involved with SBP, please come to this meeting to find out the latest
and get involved and help spread the word (bring interested friends)! Also keep checking
www.seattleblackpride.org for updates.
News
Heath T. Bouldin
Just wanted to take some time and update you about my experience during the
very first Body & Soul Retreat by Seattle Black Pride. It was a success!
Everyone I spoke with who attended shared the same feelings. To start off,
the location was beautiful. The rooms were full studio apartments, with dishes
and all the fixings. It really was a retreat vacation. The staff was more than
accommodating, making for a better experience.
Over the weekend, a group of Gay Men of Color came together to look closer at
our relationships, culture, the black gay community, and most importantly,
our behaviors and their effects on our health. To watch this dynamic group of
Black Gay Men of Color move through these important issues affecting our
community was an empowering process in itself.
At the Body and Soul Retreat, I was one of thirteen to witness a shift in
individual commitments to self-efficacy and dedication towards understanding
our behaviors concerning issues that affect our health; like HIV & AIDS.
As we know, this is an important issue that we Black Gay Men face in the world.
It is still important today that we all stay aware of the consequences of
ignorance with regards to HIV & AIDS. Stereotypes are very important and
hold much unhealthy power. One of the many reasons I think Body & Soul was
a success is because addressing these stereotypes and issues are the beginning
of the process which needs to happen.
I am talking about our own individual walls and personal boundaries, in which
we sometimes refuse—for whatever reasons—to stretch and grow. Man,
it was just mind-blowing to experience a sort of high that continues to push me
forward to learn and share more with my community. I can imagine what the others
have to say about their experience. Some of the other participants have spoken
with me about the move in conscientiousness they have towards making healthier
decisions around risky behavior and other aspects of their lives—and the
power that they have gained.
The retreat was very relaxed—and relaxing—and everyone seemed to
feel like they were being pampered, body and soul. That is why Body & Soul
is such an appropriate name. Yes! It was great.
I would like to challenge the community to challenge themselves by signing up
or speaking with me about an upcoming Body & Soul Retreat. If you've been
looking for a change, email me or give me a call. I have some options for you.
With Love,
Heath T. Bouldin
Body & Soul co-facilitator.
(206) 324-1520 ext. 237
heathb@seattleblackpride.org