OUR LEGACY / ABOUT US

 

Evolving from the success of its origin, History of Black Gay Atlanta, and its current online TV & radio talk show, this premiere non-profit is designed to assist and support Black LGBTQ communities in our country in Honoring, Preserving and Recognizing the numerous contributions of individuals, businesses and organizations who pioneered and currently support the advancement, evolution and progression of national Black LGBTQ movements and legacy.

 

In our mission to educate, encourage and empower our Queer/Trans Youth, we feel that it's important to provide the next generation with historic information about all who were involved in pioneering America's Black Gay Meccas & Movements, starting with the Harlem Renaissance period in the 1930's.

 

We also produce events and projects that further highlight unsung heroes/sheroes, community initiatives and provide platforms for members of the Black LGBTQ diaspora to shine.

 

Founded by Miko "Meak" Evans and formally the national black queer division of Meak Productions, Inc., partnerships and alliances are now being formalized with other Organizations and Initiatives to bring this Vision to national fruition.

 

If you are a Black Pride Organizer, or Historian and would like this initiative to be developed and organized in your city, register as a Chapter Manager or Representative by contacting us via our inquiry form on our contact page, or apply for board member opportunities or monthly membership via our online application here: HBGA Opportunities Application

 

LEFT PHOTO: Our 1st HBGA Launch Campaign Banner honoring BLM Movements in America. Click the photo below to review the 2016 Campaign Features.

 

LEGACY Part 2 / OUR HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

 

Before becoming a national brand, HBGA began as the brand name for the 1st Historic Press Conference for Atlanta Black Gay Pride's 15th Anniversary in Summer 2011, and the Annual Online Radio Talk Show Series entitled, History of Black Gay Atlanta, originally created by Meak Productions, Inc. (The World's 1st LGBTQ Exclusive Talent Agency & Production Company). It was formed as a community initiative under Meak Pro's special projects division.

 

The History of Black Gay Atlanta Radio Series, which started in Late Summer of

2011, was created to provide the public with the latest developments in pride events, highlighted interviews with pioneers/trailblazers, and a chronology of the history of the city's black LGBTQ movement.

 

The Pilot Episode of the radio talk show series debuted at the official “LIVE” Recording of the Inaugural Black Pride Press Conference which took place on Monday, August 15, 2011 at the Melia Hotel in Midtown Atlanta. Hosted by Meak Pro's founder, Miko Evans, the press conference featured in attendance:

Raymond Duke (Former President of In The Life Atlanta, Inc.- the original founding organization of Atlanta Black Gay Pride),

Gregory Allen (Founder & CEO of Xtreme Entertainment),

R. Darlene Hudson (Former Co-Chair of The State of Black Gay America Summit and Co-Founder of Southern Unity Movement),

along with Representatives from Traxx Atlanta / Traxx Girls, and non-profit youth collaborative, Change Atlanta, Inc. (the organization that introduced the city to future political & community legends, such as Devin Barrington Ward).

 

Acknowledgment of other legendary promoters and event producers such as

Girls In The Night, Wassup N' ATL, The Marquette Lounge (Atlanta’s 1st Black Gay Night Club since the late 1960's) and the introduction to RockStars Production, were also recognized and promoted during the press conference.

 

The talk show series began with special interviews featuring select producers, organizers and volunteers of annual pride signature events, as well as introduce the public to new leaders, entrepreneurs, artists and trailblazers who are taking things to the next level for a new generation. The show was aired as a special edition to Meak Pro's already successful weekly online radio talk show, Same Gender Loving Expressions, aired exclusively on the former Exceptional Radio Network, and syndicated on Click Click Expose Radio in Florida.

 

As a community subsidiary of Meak Productions, the brand, radio show and annual press conference began to grow and evolve over the coming years. After 2 successful years later, Meak Pro decided to take the concept national by upgrading the brand to History of Black Gay America in 2013, making Atlanta the 1st official chapter and headquarters.

 

The 1st campaign for the national brand began in 2014 with the 10th Anniversary celebration campaign of the late black queer filmmaker/producer/pioneer, Maurice Jamaal, who hired Meak Pro as a marketing consultant for his tribute website. Maurice also lended his voice for the 1st HBGA national PSA commercial and was a temporary brand ambassador for the national brand during that same year. To review the archived Maurice Jamaal's 10th Anniversary Tribute website, click the photo banner to your left.

 

Our 1st milestone for the national brand came on MLK Holiday in January 2016 when we named our 1st official brand ambassador. Angela D. Hutchins, one of Meak Pro's signature talents and local renowned Model/Actress/Entrepreneur, was selected as the "1st Lady of History of Black Gay Atlanta" to solidify the Atlanta Chapter's legacy brand, and to represent the vision at various black pride related events and meetings. She was elevated to the 1st National Title (1st Lady of History of Black Gay America) in February 2020, right before the pandemic. This year, Angela will celebrate her 10th Anniversary as 1st Lady and will receive honorary Hall of Fame inductions nationally and for the Atlanta Chapter.

 

To Find out more information or to book our 1st Lady, please visit her talent website at: https://angela.meakproductions.com

 

The highest moment for HBGA was during the winter quarter 2023, when the founding company decided to incorporate the national brand as its own non-profit corporation. History of Black Gay America, Inc., was incorporated on February 20, 2023 in the State of Georgia.