GRIOT Circle, Inc.

11/27/2025

11/21/2025

Thank you to all who attended and supported GRIOT Circle's 29th Anniversary Celebration and Reception.

The evening was truly special. It was an atmosphere filled with joy, pride, and community.
As we came together, we celebrated three extraordinary honorees who truly represent GRIOT Circle's mission of advocating for LGBTQ elders of color, City Council Member Crystal Hudson, Kenrick Ross and Imani Rashid.

And the night was made more special by emcee Ty Milburn and especially by Lavender Light Gospel Choir who raised the roof and got everyone out their seats!

A special thank you to the GRIOT staff who in addition to providing support to our members, rolled up their sleeves to make this a special day. In particular a huge thank you to Development Manager Germono Toussaint who literally made wine out of water as he helped secured a great space, designed the space and established relationships with the entertainment and the host of the evening!

Please enjoy the pictures from the magical day!
To view the entire collection please use the link below.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zpZte5k6XtmCqcAu7

Thank you again for being part of the GRIOT Circle family. We are deeply grateful to have you in our community.

11/20/2025

This is such a great reel from Kendrick Ross and Brooklyn Community Pride Center who were privileged to honor at our 29th Anniversary Celebration and Reception!
We are all Brooklyn strong together!

11/20/2025

We Need Your Voice
Today is the start of Out: The Community Survey!

This Survey is asking for the voices of LGBTQIA+ Community to share their experiences in order to capture community changes in this historic moment. Answers to the survey will directly help inform our next steps in advocacy.

Our community needs your voice; by sharing your experiences you will improve things for all of us in the future!

11/05/2025

The clock is ticking! This is the FINAL WEEK to secure your spot at GRIOT Circle's 29th Anniversary and Celebration
Join our celebration
Tuesday, November 11th
6 PM - 8:30 pm
The Loft Brooklyn- 345 Adams St.

This celebration is more than a party—it's a critical fundraiser. Your support directly funds the affirming services (meals, case management, peer support) that combat hunger and isolation among our LGBTQ elders of color. We must not take their well-being for granted.
Don't miss this evening of resilience and connection. See the impact we're making and help us continue our vital work!
Purchase Tickets or Donate Here: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E349768&id=12&formid=125&Preview=true

10/31/2025

There are still a few slots left open for the Speaker’s free Estate planning Clinic on November 18th. See attached flyer for details.

The Speaker’s office is also presenting a planning webinar on November 12th at 2pm which is free and open to all. To register for the webinar go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_haMiZ7dmQZGMjJ39vGfq6A

LGBTQ Planning & Estate Professionals will cover the following topics through a specifically LGBTQ lens in a 45-minute presentation and then take questions.

Why Collaboration Matters and the Importance of Early Planning

Building Your Planning Team

Protecting Assets During Your Lifetime

Legal Documents That Safeguard Your Wishes

Coordinating Asset Transfers

Navigating Legal Landscapes & Family Structures

Finally, a free online Learning Center has been created as part of this project. You can access that at https://www.stonewallcdc.org/advanceplanning2025

It is especially important now that LGBTQ adults begin the planning process earlier than later. We invite you to start with this project.

10/31/2025

Annoucing our newly added emcee hosting GRIOT Circle's 29th Anniversary and Celebration, Murrow Award-winning journalist
Femi Redwood!
Femi is a Murrow Award-winning journalist and host of Beyond Black History Month, a podcast soon entering its third season that connects today’s news to Black history. For more than a decade, Femi has worked in prestigious newsrooms including VICE News, CBS Newspath, and Audacy, holding a range of roles from on-air correspondent to department manager.
She is the former chair and current treasurer of the National Association of Black Journalists LGBTQ+ Task Force and serves on the board of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists.

You can find much of her latest reporting on TikTok, where she covers underreported stories for a new generation of news consumers.

Come meet Femi and our honorees at GRIOT's fast approaching 29th Anniversary and Celebration Reception
Tuesday, November 11th
from 6-8:30
The Loft Brooklyn,
345 Adams St. (downtown Brooklyn)
Purchase tickets
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E349768&id=12&formid=125&Preview=true

10/23/2025

In preparation for GRIOT Circle's 29th Anniversary Celebration and Reception,
this week we're spotlighting one of our trailblazing honorees.
City Council Member Crystal Hudson.
Join us in person to celebrate her on
Tuesday, November 11th
from 6-8:30 pm @
The Loft Brooklyn
345 Adams St.
Purchase ticket today or make a donation!
http://bit.ly/4nFN2pe

GRIOT Circle is incredibly pleased to honor
City Council Member Crystal Hudson
with the Regina Shavers Award for 2025.

Crystal Hudson is a third-generation Brooklynite and the Council Member for New York City’s District 35, which includes Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, and Fort Greene. Elected in 2021, she made history as one of the first out gay Black women ever elected in New York City and quickly established a record of effectiveness, passing more bills than any other first-term member in Brooklyn and ranking second among all new members.

She chairs the Council’s Committee on Aging and serves as co-chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, where she advances policy that makes city government more accessible and responsive to everyday New Yorkers.

Hudson authored the Black Agenda for New York City and co-authored The Marsha and Sylvia Plan, a first-of-its-kind policy agenda supporting LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers. Her legislative priorities include aging in place, maternal health equity, and inclusive public safety, reflecting a commitment shaped in part by her experience as the primary caregiver for her mother, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease.

Before public service, Hudson worked in sports marketing and advertising with the Washington Mystics and Washington Wizards, then led national campaigns at Amtrak. She later served on Brooklyn Community Board 8 and held senior roles in city government, including chief of operations to the Council majority leader and deputy public advocate for community engagement.

She lives in Prospect Heights with her family and continues to champion equity, dignity, and opportunity for the communities she represents.

10/15/2025

GRIOT Circle joins others around the world who are mourning the transition of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy.

We were privileged to honor Miss Major at one of GRIOT's Anniversary Celebrations, noting her fierceness and dedication in uplifting the visibility of not only the Trans community but anyone whose voice or presence is silenced due to ignorance and hate.

She leaves a void which we know will be filled with all the warriors who walk in the path she has made.

Our sincere condolences to her partner and son. Thank you for allowing us to know such a trailblazer.