
In early December, youth from South L.A. participated in a Black LGBTQ+ retreat that focused on youth leadership, artmaking, yoga, music and Black queer social history. The retreat took place at L.A. County’s Stoneview Nature Center preserve. This was a rare opportunity for Black and BIPOC queer youth to collaborate with each other and connect in a safe environment with adult mentors. The session was facilitated by WLP youth interns Ashantee Polk and Brianna Parnell and drew from the grassroots organizing work that students are doing at their schools to create safe spaces for queer students. During the session, students also had the opportunity to win and read books by Black and BIPOC queer and feminist authors. One of the featured books was “All Boys aren’t Blue”, by George M. Johnson, which is one of the most banned texts in the U.S.
Thanks to our community partners, Women’s Leadership Project, Black LGBTQI+ Parent and Caregiver Group, GSA Network, Project Q, REACH L.A., and the Amaad Institute








