Friday, March 03, 2006

Getting a KICK out of Curtis....



Tonight In my continuing series to bring you interviews of people who are taking leadership roles in the black gay community I bring you Curtis Lipscomb the executive director of Kick - The Agency for Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Transgender African-Americans.
I first met Curtis through my friend from Men of Color James Drain in the early 90’s. Curtis had just moved back to Detroit from working in the fashion industry in NY, and as he was also a creative type, we clicked immediately. We both belonged to M.O.C. (Men of Color, a motivational group) and at the time they had begun to expand and the organization needed to have a communications plan. Curtis and I started the M.O.C. Motivator a monthly newsletter to keep members up to speed as the organization continued to grow, often covering trips to DC for Black Pride on Memorial day weekend, and other people and events...

Curtis and friends at Banneker Field/ DC Pride


Curtis and Detroit play-write Patrick Burton

We approached that project with a great deal of zeal… not settling for just a “members only” newsletter we began to create something more akin to a magazine. I added my design work and photography to the project where Curtis handled the content and words. M.O.C. was just the stepping-stone for this project which Curtis would later transform the work into a magazine called KICK!

The M.O.C. Motivator... our first collaboration


KICK! Magazine....

The magazine primarily targeted the black gay audience, with commentary, fashion, and lifestyle content. The Magazine grew from a small “zine” style rag into a full size glossy in just a couple of years, and had subscribers from all over the country. Aside from the magazine Curtis and I participated in some of the first years of “Hotter than July” the annual black pride festivals. Over the years our friendship has evolved… and like all good friends we have not always agreed. Curtis and I are both opinionated; while with M.O.C. some of us (with a great deal of humor) dubbed Curtis the “Arbiter of all things Gay and Good” because we could always count on getting a review or opinion about something from him!

Curtis and Willie and I in front of Toronto's Eaton Centre

Classically dressed and coming from the fashion industry we learned quickly that the GAP was where it’s at! Curtis’s love of music and extensive collection would always keep us up to speed on what was good! Secretly I think he liked the title!

Curtis and I at KICK!'s fifth anniversary presentation in Detroit

But one thing I have agreed with and continue to connect with Curtis is the work that needs to be done to bring the black gay community together. To that end I continue to design for him and support KICK! in any way I can. In preparing to publish my photography book FIERCE! Being black, Being Gay in America I approached Curtis to write the preface… Not just because he is black or gay but also because after 14 years he understands me and what my images bring to the subject at hand. Though he’s younger I have sometime thought of him as a big brother…

Mycal, Curtis at my 40th birthday party!

So now on to the interview…

Epiphany: Good! Well Curtis thanks for coming on to the blog!

Curtis: You are welcome. Glad you invited me.

Epiphany: So Curtis we have known each other since what? 1993?

Curtis: Yes.

Epiphany: During that time you have been through an evolving process that started out as a newsletter and has morphed in to the KICK! organization... How has the process been for you...?

Curtis: The process morphed, as it should have been. There were many times I didn't understand it, but in hindsight it all made sense. The root to it all is variations of communication and connecting with like-minded people. That question is pretty deep, now that I thought about some more...

Epiphany: In deed...It’s always been about communication, but more importantly about communicating to people about the black gay movement? Why has this been so important to you? Besides the obvious you’re black and gay...

Curtis: I have been blessed to know some people in my youth that has influenced me, and help shape me culturally and morally. Many of them were black, gay and lesbian folks. I like talking to members of this "movement" ... they inspire me, and I've learn to tell and publish stories about their life experiences.









Curtis at Palmer Park...Hotter than July




























Epiphany: So in away it’s about giving back...

Curtis: That's part of it. It's also about self-reflection, and therefore self-improvement. The good news is that you can learn about yourself in the process.

Epiphany: Absolutely! We have seen the rise and fall of a few major organizations in Detroit, Men of Color for instance... Do you see this as being evolutionary or do you see sustainability issues?

Curtis: I've seen people with good intentions fail. I've seen people with bad intentions fail, also. I don't see the failures as evolutionary. I see that some people are not ethical to run a business. What saddens me is the lack of regional concern when a organization that important to many, isn't saved by many.

Epiphany: Communities like NY have had organizations that have spanned decades now... is this a mid west thing you are talking about?

Curtis: Detroit has had organizations that've spanned decades, too. When I lived in NYC, I've seen organizations fail, too. It's not a regional thing. People run organizations, therefore it's a professional issue, or lack of.

Epiphany: You have run KICK now as an organization for about three years now... what has been some of the unique challenges??? Does it help for the group to have a goal?

Curtis: It's definitely a challenge to run Kick - The Agency for Lesbian, Gay, Bi & Transgender African-Americans. It's also the most satisfactory thing I've done in my career. We definitely have goals, and a mission. We are very aware of the goals, and we verbally state our mission every month during our board of directors meeting. The biggest challenge is that we are a black gay organization, and America is homophobic. How we decide to live has a lot to do with public perceptions of us.

Epiphany: I know one of KICK's goals is to open a center for Black, gays, lesbians and transgendered people... what would the center provide for the community

Curtis: The Detroit Lesbian and Gay Welcome Center will provide a safe space for our unique population, and provide services to improve our quality of life.

Epiphany: Excellent! Its time for a place like that in Detroit... Do you find you have a good relationship with other Gay organizations in the Detroit area? Affirmations etc., which have a whiter constituency? Is that important?

Curtis: There never is a specific time for change. It just has to happen. We have a great relationship with Affirmations. The executive director and I are good friends, and we both know we need each other. Both centers are not race driven, but I do know that many whites and non-whites will come to the DLGWC. (The Detroit Lesbian and Gay Welcome Center) It's really about making the City of Detroit a place where gays can gather.

Epiphany: Well Curtis it seems like you are making steady progress to your goals... Its funny this morning I heard a song from Madonna’s bedtime stories...and as you gave me that disk for Christmas several years back I soo had you on my mind! Aside from KICK What keeps Curtis going everyday?

Curtis and Willie

Curtis: I really enjoy living, and I got a lot to do in life.

Epiphany: I remember several of us used to tease you as being the arbiter of all things good and gay... Do you still fill that roll?

Curtis: Certainly ...

Epiphany: Hahaha good... so is there anything you would like to say to some of the young brothas and sisters who read the blog?

Curtis: Be focused on being a great contributor to life, and always persevere ...

Epiphany: Is it possible to volunteer? How can people join KICK ?

Curtis: People can become a Friend for $35 USD at www.e-kick.org

Epiphany: Ok great...There ya have it folks! Well Thanks for coming on tonight.

Curtis: You are welcome, thanks for having me ...

KICK sponsers several events through out the year including a musical review called Gentlemens Preferred.. For more information about Curtis and the KICK organization check out http://www.e-kick.org/

1 comment:

Morisset said...

Great interview and beautiful reminiscing through the photos.

I know Curtis from many years ago in New York and two years ago, I ran into him in Miami where I had to REMIND him that we kknew each other. LOL! Of course, he had amnesia that day and probably still does! LOL!

Curtis is you readin' this, I got one question for you: WHASSUP WIT DA CALVIN AND HOBBES COLLECTION??? LOL

Great post! Curtis is was/is always a man doing things for the good. Keep up the great work you guys!

Peace,
Ocean