Our Black Gay Diaspora host Erick speaks with independent filmmaker, writer, director, and showrunner Lazarus X to explore the power of Black queer storytelling in arthouse cinema.

With over two decades of experience, Lazarus X discusses his journey as an auteur, from his early days in the web series movement to creating internationally filmed productions like the erotic drama Guap, set in Naples, Italy, and the critically intimate series A Beautiful Cruel Thing. He unpacks why authentic representation still falls short despite milestones like the 2016 film Moonlight and how arthouse cinema can transform how Black audiences see themselves.

Lazarus X also shares his passion for capturing intimacy, his exploration of Afrofuturism, and his vision for expanding Black storytelling to global stages. A must for fans of independent filmmaking, Black LGBTQ+ culture, and authentic creative expression.

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Wayne Mertins-Brown is a British psychotherapeutic counselor specializing in Black gay mental health and culturally competent therapy for Black LGBTQ clients. Based in Greater London, he provides one-to-one, couples, and group counseling, helping people embrace their authentic identities through inclusive, affirming mental health care.

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American writer and novelist Doug Jones, Morehouse College alumnus, Columbia University MFA graduate, and Lambda Literary Fellow, discusses his powerful 2025 debut novel, The Fantasies of Future Things. Set against the backdrop of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and gentrification, the novel centers on two young Black gay men as they navigate identity, purpose, and community displacement. In this candid conversation, Doug explores the intersection of Black same-gender-loving identity, intimacy, and social justice. He also reflects on his journey as a Black gay writer, his real estate career, his deeply personal essay “Dear Dad” from the anthology Black Love Letters, and the healing power of Black LGBTQ storytelling.

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Seattle-based Brad Blackburn III is a public service professional, strategist, and community advocate committed to advancing equity, civic engagement, and systems change. As co-host of Identity Unboxed alongside Tiana Cole, Brad amplifies candid conversations with Black professionals about their career journeys, identities, and resilience. Brad opens up about his journey as a Black queer man, navigating racism and homophobia, and the importance of storytelling. He shares personal reflections on identity, self-love, and community healing. We also explore his Blackburn III Consulting firm, the "Legacy Lens" Black History series, and why preserving Black history and culture matters now more than ever.

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Dr. Jonathan Matthias Lassiter is an American African-centered psychologist, award-winning author, and Black LGBTQ mental health expert who joins Erick for a powerful conversation about his 2025 book, How I Know White People Are Crazy and Other Stories: Notes from a Frustrated Black Psychologist. Dr. Lassiter unpacks the whiteness mindset, the decolonization of mental health, and why Black same-gender-loving men are underrepresented in psychology. He also discusses his groundbreaking book Black LGBT Health in the United States and his New York-based practice, Lassiter Health Initiatives. A must-listen for anyone seeking culturally informed therapy and honest conversations about Black mental health.

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Master Dominion Onyx—leatherman, kinkster, writer, and president of Onyx Mid-Atlantic—joins Erick for a candid conversation about Black gay identity, the leather and kink communities, and the power of radical self-acceptance. Master Dominion also shares about the history and mission of Onyx, a safe space for queer people of color in the leather lifestyle, and why education, consent, and community are central to kink culture. He also discusses his erotic series Alex and Alonzo and the importance of authentic Black gay storytelling. A bold, enlightening listen for anyone curious about Black LGBTQ sexuality, self-discovery, and community building.

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Marvin Bowser, a Washington, D.C.-based photographer and founder of Marvin Bowser Photography, joins Erick to discuss his powerful work that captures the African diaspora experience through art, identity, and cultural heritage. Marvin shares his journey from Air Force officer during Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to Black gay artist, his celebrated Black Hair Exhibition, and the large-scale mural project See Me, Hear Me: The Art of Living. He also reflects on Black queer identity, the intersection of hair and LGBTQ+ storytelling, and his YouTube channel Unscripted 60+. An inspiring conversation about Black art, self-expression, and the power of community representation.

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Dakarai Larriett—an openly gay U.S. Senate candidate from Alabama, entrepreneur, and author—joins Erick for a powerful conversation about justice, advocacy, and Black LGBTQ+ representation in politics. Dakarai recounts his wrongful arrest in Michigan in 2024 and the inspiration behind his book Don’t Flush: From a False Arrest to a Political Awakening. He also discusses running as a Black gay candidate in Alabama, his entrepreneurial venture Gerard Lariette Aromatherapy Pet Care, and his lifelong commitment to civil rights, healthcare, and community advocacy. A must-listen for anyone passionate about Black political representation, LGBTQ+ equality, and criminal justice reform.

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