Collections By Michelle Brown

A credited freelance writer, editor, contributor, and essayist, Sara E. Teller is also a novelist and poet with over seventeen years of experience. She has an MBA degree with a concentration in Marketing and is currently pursuing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, concentrating in Substance Abuse and Addictions. Her latest book, Narcissistic Abuse: A Survival Guide was published by Mad Hatter Publishing released in December 2017. Narcissism, as a positive personality trait, is something many people may have. This can be healthy for people but it is very different from full-blown narcissistic behavior and disorders. In her book "Narcissistic Abuse: A Survival Guide", Teller highlights and sheds light on Narcissism as an inherent humanistic trait versus pathological narcissism, Victimization, and the healing process and Therapeutic intervention and relief. Abuse can take many forms with or without a narcissist. Narcissistic Abuse is real and potentially life-threatening. Physical, mental, and emotio

Born in Buffalo NY, singer/songwriter Sandy Mulligan took the scenic route to the metro -Detroit area – raised in Iowa, living in Alabama, New Jersey and as an artist in the mountains of West Virginia. Although she’s been an artist and singer/songwriter she’s also always been an activist involved in organizing Latino Farmworkers and active in the Catholic church at a time when women were not supposed to be involved in church activities.  Sandy began her art career at an LGBTQ artist colony in West Virginia making melted glass art, stained glass, fresco paintings, mobiles, plaques, and walking sticks. She sold her work throughout West Virginia and eventually in the Washington DC area. Sandy fell in love with Michigan and moved here 10 years ago. Her daughter, who is also a musician, encouraged her to resume her music career in earnest. Her solo career eventually led to her founding a group called The Gypsies. The group performed over 100 gigs in 5 years. They were a finalist in the Detroit Blues Society com

Brayden Asher Misiolek is of co-founder/ Executive Director of Transcend the Binary, an organization that seeks to empower the transgender and gender non-conforming community through access to affirming care, resources, research, and education. Recently Brayden joined other members of the TLGBQ community and allies to speak out against continued efforts against T/GNC individuals.Brayden dedicates his service to Transcend the Binary in honor of the organization's co-Founder Darnell Jones saying “I made a promise to Darnell, and my community, to make sure that Transcend continues to grow – from our resources, program quality, research and understanding of our community The current administration has rescinded antidiscrimination protections for transgender students, reversed a Bureau of Prisons policy that would take gender identity into account in housing assignments, attempted to ban transgender service members from the military and argued that transgender workers are not covered by Title VII protections aga

Originally from Sri Lanka, Rashika grew up with her mother and three sisters in Texas.  She grew up learning how to balance her Sri Lankan heritage and cultural expectations with her American sensibilities and upbringing and proudly own both of identities  She attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied anthropology and pre-medical studies. Rashika believes proudly embracing both identities has contributed to the way she goes about trying to make a positive difference in the world. She did her first tour of duty at the Human Rights Campaign as the Development Coordinator. She worked on fundraising and community outreach projects. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) represents a grassroots force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide. It is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.  In 2016, she joined the Peace Corps. Established in 1961 the Peace Corps was established to promote world peace and friendship. Rashika served as a C

 A 30-year civil servant with more than a decade of hands-on experience in the risk management field, she has authored four books.  Her book “Enterprise Risk Management: A Guide for Government Professionals” was on the Amazon Top 100 List.  She received a Best-Selling Author award for her book "Mastering the Art of Success" which she co-authored with Jack Canfield (co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul). This native Washingtonian earned her Doctor of Education degree from Nova Southeastern University. She is a graduate of Strayer University where she earned her master’s in business administration. She studied Media Arts and Journalism and earned her bachelor’s degree from Hampton University.  Her latest endeavor is co-producing the documentary "A New Leash On Life: The K9s for Warriors Story." The film focuses on Veterans with PTSD and the K9s that support them. The film has premiered in New York earlier this year, screens in Washington DC on October 26th and opens nationally on Veterans Day. Dr. Hardy

Naomi Washington-Leapheart is the Faith Work Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force, the country’s oldest national LGBTQ justice and equality group. Before joining the Task Force, she was the suburban community organizer for POWER, a multi-faith, multi-racial network of congregations in Metro Philadelphia. She also served as Co-Pastor and Minister of Music at the Wisdom’s Table at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Rev. Washington-Leapheart's work is included in the volume,” From Generation to Generation: A Commemorative Collection of African American Millennial Sermons from the Festival of Preachers 2010-2015, a rare and unique compilation of what the nation’s most promising young African-American ministers are thinking and proclaiming about the Christian faith. An adjunct faculty member in the Theology and Religious Studies department at Villanova University, her class discussions have included zombie sci-fi, 2 biblical accounts of the walking 'undead,' Lazarus and Jesus, and the theological and pra

In an article in Philadelphia Magazine Gregory T. Walke. Founder and Creative Director of The Brothers Network, explained “It seems that many Americans, white, black and in between, view black men through a certain frame of reference that fails to acknowledge the totality of the black male experience. At the museum, the black man is the security guard rather than the person who created the works on the walls; at the theater, he is the usher rather than part of the action on the stage or the person behind that action. And in the everyday world, the black men who do create works of art, who do write plays, and who love to talk about the ideas they advance, get confused for those guards and ushers. Walker believes the hardest part is getting people to believe that MacArthur Genius Award winners, Tony Award winners, and winners of most every single honor have been held by a black man who is at the top of the game. The Brother’s Network dismantles these assumptions. The organization specializes in bringing brai

Betty Couvertier returns to share her thoughts on the current political climate. A relentless, outspoken, authentic voice and alternative perspective for the LGBTQ community, she will share her observations from her travels as we move towards the all-important 2018 midterm elections. Originally from Brooklyn, NY where she was a city corrections officer Betty Couvertier was a part of Atlanta, Georgia’s LGBTQ scene since the mid-1990s until her recent retirement. Betty volunteered at WRFG 89.3 FM, a non-profit community radio station, since 2002. She was the founder, producer and host of “Alternative Perspectives,” an LGBT radio show that airs on the community-owned and operated station from 2006 until 2017. She has served in various capacities on many non-profit organizations over the years including the Atlanta Pride Outreach Chair, Atlanta HRC Steering Committee, Co-chair of Georgians Against Discrimination Steering Committee and the Atlanta LGBT Police Advisory Board. Her energy, compassion, insightfulnes

John Collins began writing at the age of 15, keeping a small journal that held many questions surrounding his sexuality versus religious doctrine.  He was motivated by an English teacher who encouraged him to use his talent as a storyteller to capture a glimpse of the world through his own personal life experiences as a queer man of color. The idea of writing a novel came about after he wrote a three-page essay illustrating the outcome of his parents discovering he was Same Gender Loving (SGL). He began the manuscript “Virgin to the Life” in early 2007. He self-published this work in 2013. His follow-up novel, “Sounds of Burned Silence”, was released in 2014. The third installment, “Poetic Violence”, added more depth to the series. “God Ain’t Call Me Fag”, is his fourth book and a departure from the series. For many in the LGBTQ community, the relationship with religion has been at best complicated but often contentious. In  “God Ain’t Call Me Fag”, Collins challenges the reader to look at this relationshi

Robt Seda-Schreiber is Chief Activist of the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice in New Jersey.   Named for the civil rights leader who was the primary architect of the 1963 March on Washington, this community activist center is an educational enclave and a safe-space for all people. Robt established the Center with the explicit consent of Bayard Rustin’s partner, Walter Naegle, with a strong desire to ensure every individual- whether it be in a school, in a workplace, or in everyday life- feels safe, protected, & loved.   In June 2017 he was recognized as the National Education Association’s Social Justice Activist of the Year. In 2014 he received the New Jersey Education Association Equality Champion Award which honors members who have been champions in defense of human and civil rights. As an art teacher in the Kreps Middle School in East Windsor, New Jersey, Robt ran that school’s Gay-Straight Alliance.  He believes it is important for students to have allies in the classroom if they are LGBTQ b

Evangeline Weiss is an artist, poet, and mother, and to her, being her full-self means embracing those parts of her while practicing love for everyone. She turned her television off in 1984 and describes herself as a queer, white, anti-racist social change agent with a twinkle in her eye! If that doesn't get your attention, she is also the Leadership Programs Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force. She works on the Creating Change Conference helping the Task Force building relationships in the host city which will be Detroit, MI in January 2019. As part of the build-up to the conference, the Task Force will host the Queering Racial Justice in Detroit September 8th. Before working at the Task Force, Evangeline worked in HIV/AIDS advocacy projects in the 1990s in New York. She worked at the Gay Men’s Health Crisis and the local needle exchange in the East Village, and at Act Up. She has worked in human resources and spent 5 years as the Director of Diversity & Equity for Duke University’s Office for Ins

Sharon Harris, founder and director of Lupus Detroit, and Lupus Warrior, Francine Houston are here to talk about the 6th Lupus Detroit Walk for Warriors/ It takes place Saturday, September 1st. Walkers will gather at the New Center Park at 9AM for registration, warm-ups, and festivities before beginning the 1K walk. Lupus Detroit believes that no Lupus Warrior should have to decide between purchasing their medication and buying food for their families. Everyone needs assistance from time to time. Lupus Detroit offers emergency financial assistance grants in addition to awareness and advocacy events. The fundraising goal for this year's walk is $50,000.  Participants can form teams or just walk with others. The registration fee is $20 for Walkers over 12 years of age. Sharon Harris is the founder of Lupus Detroit. Shortly after graduating from FAMU, she was diagnosed with lupus. She not only lives with Lupus but thrives and provides support an encouragement for others living with this chronic autoimmune dise

Ken Mejia-Beal is first and foremost an activist and a supporter of the underdog. He is a concerned citizen, who cares deeply for his country and wants to make the world a better place for all people. This Chicago native is a capitalist with a heart who believes in free thinking and human rights. Ken wants to use his words in order to shine a light on political ventures in order to allow those without knowledge to form strong positions through fact-based conversation.  Ken resides in DuPage County, within Illinois with his husband singer/songwriter Michael Mejia-Beal. Ken is a member of the Democratic National Committee a Political Strategist and Organizer for several candidates over the last 5 years. He is a contributing editor at Dem Write Press where his Chronicles of an Outsider” series explores his journey as an everyday American who happens to be African American and a member of the LGBTQ community.  He is also a contributing editor for Patriot Not Partisan, an online magazine launched by actress and

Vanessa Sheridan is an expert business consultant, respected author, and transgender activist. This US air force veteran lives in Chicago after relocating from Minneapolis, Minnesota to join the staff or center on Halstead. She is the organization's Director of Gender Equity and Inclusion. Vanessa's been providing public outreach, speaking, presenting, writing, consulting, and offering transgender awareness training services nationally for major corporations, nonprofit organizations, and federal government agencies.  She's the author of three published books, including the complete guide to transgender in the workplace. The first full length, hard covered book on this topic ever released by a mainstream publisher. In addition, she's twice been a national lambda literary award finalist for other Trans related books she's written. She was the first transgender member of the board of directors for the Stonewall National Museum and archives, and she currently serves as a member of a national transgender advisor

A resident of Chicago, IL Author & Publisher Eddie S. Pierce Jr.received his Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Chicago State University. He is the founder of Rainbow Room Publishing, LLC., When he learned he was HIV positive, Pierce was also diagnosed with clinical depression. It was through this time of despair that he found a safe-haven through his writing. Pierce says he went from exhaustion, anger, and depression to what he often describes as “pure black boy joy.” Writing allowed Pierce to explore his emotions, reflect on the past, and look to the future. This sense of serenity and safety lit a fire inside him to further his education and continue to “add to the voices of those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. He was inspired to start Rainbow Room Publishing Company out of pure necessity. His Love series now includes LOVE: Changes 1.0, LOVE: From Behind, and LOVE: Changes 2.0 and 3.0. He is currently drafting and promoting works which discuss the events surrounding our flawed crim

After working in the newspaper and magazine industry for nearly her entire career, Gia Cilento knew that one day, she’d start a publishing house. Today, Cilento is an award-winning writer, noted publisher, life-coach, and communications expert. Her career in publishing spans nearly 30 years. She has extensive experience in print and digital media, writing, editing, coaching, as well as leading. Her book “How to Go From Frazzled to Fantastic” is a step-by-step guide to managing stress, stopping worry, and feeling fantastic every day. In 2014, after about 20 years of planning, wanting and waiting, she finally incorporated her publishing house - Mad Hatter Publishing. Mad Hatter Publishing, Inc., partnering with talented and passionate writers and. also writing her own books, she aims to help people create a fantastic life. With a passion for words and creating, she spends her spare time (when she stumbles upon it) staring at blank pages, imagining the joy of filling them up with her thoughts and imaginings.

After witnessing repeated acts of discrimination and abuses, Cynthia Thornton was drawn by her a strong belief in basic fairness and humankind's obligation to itself to get involved in working for civil rights especially for members of the LGBTQ community. She was especially motivated by the suicide of a young, co-worker who presented as a lesbian. She serves as President of Pride at Work Michigan.  Pride at Work Michigan is the local branch of a national nonprofit organization that represents LGBTQ union members and their allies and is officially recognized by the AFL-CIO. Earlier this year Thornton, received the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Rebel With A Cause Award for her “exemplary demonstration of leadership and inspiration to young workers everywhere, especially here Michigan.” Thornton believes that nothing’s going to change without going through a political platform.” So, she works to build personal relationships while building understanding and acceptance. Thornton is working to educate LGBTQ

Willy Wilkinson is an award-winning, Asian American, transgender writer, public health consultant, cultural competency trainer, public speaker, and spoken word performer. He is the author of the book Born on the Edge of Race and Gender: A Voice for Cultural Competency, which transforms the memoir genre into a cultural competency tool. He is the recipient of a National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association excellence in writing award, the Transgender Law Center Vanguard Award, and is recognized on the Trans 100. This poetic, journalistic memoir shines an intersectional beacon on the ambiguity and complexity of mixed heritage, transgender, and disability experience, and offers an intimate window into how current legislative and policy battles impact the lives of transgender people. A dynamic and engaging speaker Willy earned a master’s in public health in Community Health Education from UC Berkeley, and a BA in Women's Studies from UC Santa Cruz. He lives in Oakland, California with his three vibrant young

Dr. Tim Retzloff graduated from the University of Michigan in 2006 before getting his Ph.D. from Yale University in 2014. He teaches LGBTQ studies and U.S. history at Michigan State University. His engagement with U-M’s LGBTQ past began while a student at UM-Flint when a political science professor asked him to write a history appendix of LGBTQ history in Michigan. Retzloff authored the history appendix for the 1991 study commonly known as The Lavender Report. The Tim Retzloff oral history interviews (1993-2012) consist of over eighty oral histories conducted by Retzloff with members of Detroit's LGBTQ community to further his knowledge of what LGBT life was like between 1945 and 1985. His first book is based on these interviews. His research on queer life in Michigan has appeared in the journal GLQ, the collection Making Suburbia, Between the Lines Newspaper and the anthology Creating a Place for Ourselves. Speaking from the perspective of an LGBTQ professor, Retzloff recently participated in a panel in

StatusSexy.com, a program of UNIFIED HIV Health and Beyond, started as a place to increase testing and decrease the stigma around HIV for young men. The site is a place to get the facts on HIV and for individuals to express themselves as the generation that has only known the world with HIV/AIDS as part of it. Akilah Benton, is a public health professional with extensive experience in practical and research-based work with persons living with HIV, both domestically and abroad. Early on, she developed a passion for understanding cultural differences in the context of health care. While pursuing her master’s degree in Florida, she had an opportunity to work with a research study that adapted the renowned HIV behavioral health intervention, Healthy Relationships.  She currently serves as Interim Vice President of Community Research and Innovation of UNIFIED HIV Health and Beyond. Ka’Juan D. Hill is a Community Outreach Specialist at UNIFIED-HIV Health and Beyond. He uses his passion for public speaking and HIV