In this conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and Yolo Akili Robinson explore the themes of resistance and resilience in the context of personal and professional lives. They discuss the importance of storytelling, the toll of being in a constant state of resilience on mental health, and the need for spaces to process grief and emotions. Yolo shares insights from his work with BEAM, emphasizing the significance of community support and advocating for Black mental health. In this conversation, Yolo discusses the profound impact of community activists and writers like Joseph Beam, Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Esther Perel, and Tarana Burke on his understanding of leadership and community. He emphasizes the importance of sharing queer perspectives, particularly for people of color, and the need to interrogate male privilege within Black gay communities. Yolo also shares his vision of passing the baton to future generations, ensuring that the next generation is ready to continue to do the work.

Connect with Mark:

Connect with Yolo and BEAM:

Yolo's Website

Yolo's Instagram

BEAM's Website

BEAM's Instagram

Questions or comments?

Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.