New York City Black Gay Pride is Cancelled + Don’t Act Like You Didn’t Know It Was Coming + What’s Going on With P.O.C.C.
It has been talked about in our circle of friends. How People Of Color in Crisis (P.O.C.C.)-arguably the premier Black gay organization in the nation—has misappropriated their funds. We began to see some reality to the rumors when The Promise Ball never happened, and the annual beach party was not a scheduled event at P.O.C.C.’s Pride In the City this year.
As of yesterday, Michael Roberson is no longer the executive director of P.O.C.C. It’s unclear whether he’s been ousted or has stepped down. Either way, everyone can agree—controversy aside—Roberson is both an amazing and motivating person. I didn’t personally know him, but I’ve had the privilege of being introduced to him at the Many Men, Many Voices retreat on October 2006. Some of the allegations surrounding Roberson is that he used P.O.C.C. money on several occasions to visit his partner out in Los Angeles and to bail a friend out of jail.
P.O.C.C. is reportedly being federally audited. I spoke to someone at P.O.C.C. a few days ago and apparently two very distraught and terminated employees are the ones who are spreading the rumors of their financial woes. I am a person of the media, so this was something I was expecting to hear. It seems like those “rumors” are being filtered with some truth.
Over the past six years P.O.C.C. has spent nearly $3 million on their pride events. They cash sponsor ball categories, hand out hefty cash prizes at its own balls, and provides some very nice incentives for those who get tested. The organization also helps publish the Bleu Magazine, the Derrick L. Briggs Discussion Group, helped launched Canwebefrank.com, buys ads for an online web show, launched The Federation of Houses, establish C.O.R.E NYC (according to their site: a group of local Party Promoters dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the LGBT community of color), and also holds substance abuse education seminars for organizations, and gay youth initiatives and this year alone has helped pay for the funeral of seven men who were loss to HIV/AIDS.
Even with their best deeds, P.O.C.C has new complaints rising. Just recently, POCC pulled itself from sponsoring the Greatest Ball on Earth , an event that was to take place on August 2nd. Now the event’s producer Terrence Legend will have to pay for the event out of pocket. P.O.C.C committed to pay for security, trophies, cash categories and make the event an official program for Pride in the City.
I hope this P.O.C.C. mess gets sorted out. This organization has been a viable commodity to the Black gay community. I would hate to see this organization fail. The club events and parties not directly associated with P.O.C.C. are still going ahead as scheduled.
I’ll keep you all posted.
Anonymous said,
July 31, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Its a ShAME… Well I guess no more Book club sex parties or Bleu Magazine, who I hear is having financial issues as well
Dwight O'Neal said,
July 31, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I really hate that this has happened, POCC has shown a lot of support to my personal goals and aspirations and I do appreciate the love they have show Christopher Street TV (www.chistopherstreettv.com) We were really excited about launching our new trailer with them on Friday, however it will debut later this year. Best wishes and I hope everything sorts out on a good note.
Ray said,
July 31, 2008 at 5:49 pm
What about ADTV???? No more shirtless Derrick??? oh no!!!
Anonymous said,
July 31, 2008 at 11:08 pm
¿Ugh, this event has drama too? NY black gay 2008 really had it’s share of faggotry this year! Not only did this event crash and burn, but word on the street is that the FIBO event had drama too! People aren’t even going! I had high hopes this year but now I don’t wanna be involved with any of these disasters and neither does anyone I know.
I may go to Riis beach this weekend because, sanctioned event or not – you cant stop that party! Maybe a few clubs, gotta make the party yourself! As for next week, I got an email to go to Fire Island on Sunday instead of the day before! Should be a blast, see you there!
Anony said,
July 31, 2008 at 11:09 pm
¿Ugh, this event has drama too? NY black gay 2008 really had it’s share of faggotry this year! Not only did this event crash and burn, but word on the street is that the FIBO event had drama too! People aren’t even going! I had high hopes this year but now I don’t wanna be involved with any of these disasters and neither does anyone I know.
I may go to Riis beach this weekend because, sanctioned event or not – you cant stop that party! Maybe a few clubs, gotta make the party yourself! As for next week, I got an email to go to Fire Island on Sunday instead of the day before! Should be a blast, see you there!
Joey Bahamas said,
July 31, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Hunny…do you remember our conversation at the Cafeteria?? I will say no more!
Blackbottomline said,
August 1, 2008 at 2:41 am
I am curious about what has POCC done for the community is professes to serve. Have they been providing services to the LGBT Community that are in crisis because the have sero-converted, become HIV Positive? I think we are all aware of HIV but we are not all aware of how to become positive or sero-convert and the results to the individual when that happens. When are we going to become aware of our need to hold these organizations that accountable, that profess to represent us!? I like to party as much as the next person, but cmon, where ever the money was spent its gone and the leadership seems to have evaporated and that’s has ruined the party. We gotta do betta.
fuzzy said,
August 1, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I had no clue that things would go down this way but I guess they did. I hope things do get ironed out!
Just Me said,
August 1, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Anony,
Whats going on with the Fire Island Beach thing next Saturday? Is it still going on?
Just wanna know so that I dont make that trip all the way out to Sayville.
Darius T. Williams said,
August 2, 2008 at 8:41 pm
OMG – what’s happening in NYC?
The Dude said,
August 3, 2008 at 1:29 pm
The Riis Beach party may have been cancelled but everybody I know is still going! Just remenber if u go, to bring your own music!
You already know said,
August 3, 2008 at 4:47 pm
OMG – what’s happening in NYC?.
————————————————
I dont know…maybe it’s
1) High Rents/Club Prices
2) Greedy Black Club Promoters (like the Langston’s folks)
3) Serious Gentrification (Harlem and Bed Stuy)
3) Racist Police Department/Racist Mayor
4) Most Black AMERICANS are moving to the south (ATL,Charlotte,etc)…most the blacks left are West Indians and they hate black Americans
tpeewee1 said,
August 12, 2009 at 7:24 am
wow interesting comments
peewe said,
August 12, 2009 at 7:22 am
Wow the black gay pride events over the year have always been out of this world a good time and something to remember i guess all good things come to and end and with all the rain we had this summer any function especially outdoor would have been a disaster keep hope alive to all my brothers and sisters in the life a new door will open somewhere here in new york we hope but for now lets keep riss park a main event always the first sunday in august alive.