Join us for the closing celebration of our Wellness Summit weekend with "A Soul Food Sunday” Brunch.

Enjoy the outside atmosphere on the patio of the Palmetto Restaurant at the Riviera Resort. Seating will be family-style on the patio as we listen to cool, soulful sounds from Charlie Brown and taste delicious food from Chef Andre Jones, the house chef at the Riviera Resort.

Brunch will include a complimentary water, juice, and coffee/tea station, a specialty cocktail menu, and a cash bar sponsored by Blackstorm Vodka and Spirits, a Black-owned spirits company.

Get Tickets HERE!

Brothers of the Desert (BOD) will host its 7th Annual Wellness Summit on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Renaissance Palm Springs.

With “Building Our Collective Resilience” as this year’s theme, Brothers of the Desert will continue its tradition of convening diverse guests and community partners who value empowering residents to live healthier, more connected lives.

The one-day event will feature inspiring keynote presentations and innovative workshops on topics such as spirituality, relationships, mental health, aging considerations, physical health, communication, healthy sex, and creative expression as a means of healing. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Brothers is happy to announce New York Times best-selling author and political commentator, Keith Boykin, Yolo AkiliRobinson, founder of the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM), political journalist Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey, CEO of NMAC (National Minority AIDS Council, and Harold Phillips as presenters at the 2026 summit. Some of our featured presenters include Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, Jason King; renowned public health expert, Dr. Leo Moore; Interfaith spiritual leader, Perry Lang; community activist, Gabriel Maldonado; and LGBTQ+ activist and consultant, Dr. Imani Woody. Other presenters and panelists, and workshop titles can be found at wellnesssummit2026.eventbrite.com

Lunch will be provided, space is limited, and registration is required. A donation of $25 is suggested; any amount will be appreciated.

Register HERE

Opening Reception: Meet the Speakers

Brothers of the Desert, in partnership with Icon City Entertainment, cordially invite you to the 5th Annual “Meet the Speakers” event. This free special occasion serves as the opening reception for our 7th Annual Wellness Summit. Over the past four years, this collaborative partnership has offered summit attendees a unique opportunity to network with each other and our esteemed presenters in a relaxed cocktail setting.

This year’s gathering will take place at the beautiful Renaissance in Palm Springs on Friday, March 27th, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Attendees can enjoy a cash bar and complimentary bites while engaging in enlightening conversations and forming meaningful connections. Sponsoring partners for this year’s event will be announced soon.

Mark your calendars for an evening of fellowship, remembrance, and anticipation for the powerful and enlightening discussions that await us.

Please RSVP HERE

Wellness Summit Pre-Conference Workshop

Storytelling is not performance. It is practice.

Wellness, Resilience & the Power of Storytelling is a full-day immersive workshop designed to help participants transform lived experience into a purpose-driven narrative. Centered on wellness and resilience, this experience invites Black and Latino men, queer men, and men living with or impacted by HIV to reclaim storytelling as a tool for healing, advocacy, and visibility. The day opens with a keynote from Dr. Daniel D. Driffin on the intersection of health, wellness, and storytelling.

Led by Emmy-nominated writer, director, producer, and bestselling author Nathan Hale Williams, participants will engage in plenary instruction and hands-on creation labs and leave with a tangible proof of concept for a story they want to tell.

Reserve Your Spot HERE

Join us for our Monthly Members & Allies Lunch at Blackbook Bar & Kitchen!

Both members and allies are welcome to attend (Cash and Carry).

RSVP with DavidMaurice.Jones@gmail.com before March 13th, 2026.

Members Monthly Meeting

Saturday, March 14th | 11:00 AM 12:00 PM at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.

Brothers of the Desert members meet monthly to discuss recent and upcoming events, share updates on the organization, celebrate our accomplishments, and have an opportunity to connect with new and existing members.

Brothers of the Desert is excited to continue our monthly discussion group called Barbershop: A Black Gay Men’s Space for Honest Talk About Wellness, now in our second year!

Building upon the tradition of barbershops in Black communities, the discussion group is designed to encourage open and honest conversation. The meetings are welcoming a spectrum of Black men, gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary. The wellness topics discussed are diverse, ranging from dating and intimacy, aging considerations, how we get and offer support, and exploring our identities as Black men.

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 PM. There is no charge to attend. We begin with a meet and greet with dinner that begins at 5:30PM and the discussion group starts at 6PM. The group is facilitated by Stuart Huggins and Will Dean.

To register to attend the meetings email: willdean.boardmember@brothersofthedesert.org

For questions email Tim Vincent at president@brothersofthedesert.org

Inaugural Community Strong Walk

Saturday, March 7th from 9:00 am-11:00 am

A short 2-mile route will ensure that all can participate and be a part of this commUNITY event!

Starts and Ends at The Roost Lounge. Walk Bold. Walk Strong.

Brothers of the Desert is all in to support! Now in its 10th year, Cathedral City LGBT+ Days is the first Pride event of the year in California. Dedicated to honoring the LGBT+ community and its allies, the festival celebrates the unique culture and history of Cathedral City through music, art, and community gathering. Our 1st Annual 2026 CommUNITY Strong Walk benefiting Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will gather the community together and give back all at the same time.

RSVP with Davidmaurice.jones@gmail.com

Join Brothers of the Desert in celebration of Black History Month, the Palm Springs Black History Committee, (PSBHC) and the City of Palm Springs are proud to announce the 39th Annual City of Palm Springs Black History Month Parade and Town Fair.

The 2026 national theme is: “A Century of Black History Commemorations” — honoring the legacy of Carter G. Woodson, who launched Negro History Week in the 1920s, which later evolved into Black History Month as we know it today. This month is a time to celebrate the resilience, achievements, culture, and historic contributions of African Americans.

Brothers of the Desert is invited to be a part of this vibrant celebration by joining our 2026 Black History Month Parade.

The parade will take place along Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs, beginning at Baristo Road and ending at Amado Road. The parade route is approximately one mile long, making it an enjoyable and walkable experience for participants and spectators alike. Immediately following the parade, we invite you to enjoy the Town Fair at Downtown Park, located near the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Save the Date!

Join us for Bingo, Brothers of the Desert is the beneficiary for the 5th year running for February Bingo at The Roost Lounge, presented by GED Magazine and hosted by Ethylina Canne.

Get your tickets https://ethylsplacebingo.ticketbud.com/

And special thank you to our sponsor H.I.M-istry Naturals, thank you for always supporting us, Brothers of the Desert!

Brothers of the Desert Board Members invite you to our Annual Member Appreciation Luncheon.

Saturday, February 14th, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm, following the Members Meeting on Floor 3/Room 3.

Help us celebrate our membership, Black history month, and Valentine's Day!

Lunch will be catered by Aspen Mills Palm Springs.

Make your reservation before Thursday, February 12th, by emailing info@Brothersofthedesert.org.

Members Monthly Meeting

Saturday, February 14th | 11:00 AM 12:00 PM at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.

Brothers of the Desert members meet monthly to discuss recent and upcoming events, share updates on the organization, celebrate our accomplishments, and have an opportunity to connect with new and existing members.

Join our friends from the Center for Spiritual Living Palm Springs with a fun community event that Patty Cakes is hosting!

On Wednesday, February 11 from 6–8 PM, Patty is hosting The $1,000,000 Pyramid: Relationship Edition — a playful parody of the classic TV game show. Partners team up to get each other to guess words and phrases using clever clues (no saying the word!), with lots of laughs, prizes, and audience fun throughout the night.

The evening includes a relaxed social warm-up from 6–7 PM, followed by the game show from 7–8 PM. It’s designed to be light, welcoming, and purely about connection and enjoyment — no lectures, no pressure.

$10 admission • Tickets available at the door

Brothers of the Desert is excited to continue our monthly discussion group called Barbershop: A Black Gay Men’s Space for Honest Talk About Wellness, now in our second year!

Building upon the tradition of barbershops in Black communities, the discussion group is designed to encourage open and honest conversation. The meetings are welcoming a spectrum of Black men, gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary. The wellness topics discussed are diverse, ranging from dating and intimacy, aging considerations, how we get and offer support, and exploring our identities as Black men.

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 PM. There is no charge to attend. We begin with a meet and greet with dinner that begins at 5:30PM and the discussion group starts at 6PM. The group is facilitated by Stuart Huggins and Will Dean.

To register to attend the meetings email: willdean.boardmember@brothersofthedesert.org

For questions email Tim Vincent at president@brothersofthedesert.org

The Palm Springs Public Library, Brothers of the Desert, and Mizell Center have teamed up once again to present the second annual “Our Voices Our Stories: Celebrating Black Authors,” a FREE community event in celebration of Black History Month on Sunday, February 8th, from 10 AM – 1:00 PM. RSVP HERE.

This event will begin with a welcome reception featuring a variety of bagels and spreads, coffee, and mimosas from 10-10:30 AM. The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs will be on hand with select books from our featured authors, available for purchase. At 10:30 AM, the event will begin with our first featured author, former NFL Player RK Russell, in conversation with Lorenzo Taylor. They will be discussing Russell’s Memoir “The Yards Between Us”, an exploration of his journey as he shattered barriers and made history by becoming the first openly active NFL player to identify as bisexual. On a day that is dedicated to the ultimate face-off in football, the Super Bowl, Russell will talk about his career as a formidable defensive end when he played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he faced off against Hall of Famers and the fiercest competitors with unmatched skill and determination. With the mainstream popularity of the HBOMax series “Heated Rivalry,” which has resonated with audiences who aren’t part of the LGBTQ community, transcending stereotypes about pro athletes and the gay community, Russell will share his own story and let you decide.

Following RK Russell, our second featured author will be Toni Ann Johnson in conversation with Marilyn F. Solomon. They will discuss her soon-to-be-released book “But Where’s Home?” (to be released February 10, 2026), which is a Novella and linked short story collection that lays bare the realities of Black life in America, challenging readers to confront issues of racism, classism, colonized thinking, narcissism, abuse, and parent-child relationships. Johnson’s complex and interwoven characters create a kaleidoscope of truths about human nature and the complicated relationship the United States has with race. They will touch on her career as a screenwriter, playwright, and author of other books, including “Light Skin Gone to Waste”, “Homecoming”, and “Remedy for a Broken Angel”.

RSVP HERE

Join member Antonio Le Mons at Social Cafe in Palm Springs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at 12:30 pm for a game of Bid Whist!

Meet new friends and old friends and enjoy!

Brothers of the Desert is excited to continue our monthly discussion group called Barbershop: A Black Gay Men’s Space for Honest Talk About Wellness, now in our second year!

Building upon the tradition of barbershops in Black communities, the discussion group is designed to encourage open and honest conversation. The meetings are welcoming a spectrum of Black men, gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary. The wellness topics discussed are diverse, ranging from dating and intimacy, aging considerations, how we get and offer support, and exploring our identities as Black men.

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 PM. There is no charge to attend. We begin with a meet and greet with dinner that begins at 5:30PM and the discussion group starts at 6PM. The group is facilitated by Stuart Huggins and Will Dean.

To register to attend the meetings email: willdean.boardmember@brothersofthedesert.org

For questions email Tim Vincent at president@brothersofthedesert.org

Join us for our Monthly Members & Allies Lunch at El Taco Asado!

Both members and allies are welcome to attend (Cash and Carry).

RSVP with DavidMaurice.Jones@gmail.com before January 9, 2026.

Members Monthly Meeting

Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM 12:00 PM at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.

Brothers of the Desert members meet monthly to discuss recent and upcoming events, share updates on the organization, celebrate our accomplishments, and have an opportunity to connect with new and existing members.

Join member Antonio Le Mons at Social Cafe in Palm Springs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at 12:30 pm for a game of Bid Whist!

Meet new friends and old friends and enjoy!

Join member Antonio Le Mons at Social Cafe in Palm Springs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at 12:30 pm for a game of Bid Whist!

Meet new friends and old friends and enjoy!

Join us for our Monthly Members & Allies Lunch at Peruvian Fuego!

Both members and allies are welcome to attend (Cash and Carry).

RSVP with DavidMaurice.Jones@gmail.com before December 12, 2025.

Brothers of the Desert members meet monthly to discuss recent and upcoming events, share updates on the organization, celebrate our accomplishments, and have an opportunity to connect with new and existing members.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82673107904?pwd=9AGlarYm6Gw1tCaP1qYfVjgTFeDrqA.1

Meeting ID: 826 7310 7904

Passcode: 319527

Brothers of the Desert is excited to continue our monthly discussion group called Barbershop: A Black Gay Men’s Space for Honest Talk About Wellness, now in our second year!

Building upon the tradition of barbershops in Black communities, the discussion group is designed to encourage open and honest conversation. The meetings are welcoming a spectrum of Black men, gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary. The wellness topics discussed are diverse, ranging from dating and intimacy, aging considerations, how we get and offer support, and exploring our identities as Black men.

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 PM. There is no charge to attend. We begin with a meet and greet with dinner that begins at 5:30PM and the discussion group starts at 6PM. The group is facilitated by Stuart Huggins and Will Dean.

To register to attend the meetings email: willdean.boardmember@brothersofthedesert.org

For questions email Tim Vincent at president@brothersofthedesert.org

Join member Antonio Le Mons at Social Cafe in Palm Springs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at 12:30 pm for a game of Bid Whist!

Meet new friends and old friends and enjoy!

Brothers of the Desert is excited to continue our monthly discussion group called Barbershop: A Black Gay Men’s Space for Honest Talk About Wellness, now in our second year!

Building upon the tradition of barbershops in Black communities, the discussion group is designed to encourage open and honest conversation. The meetings are welcoming a spectrum of Black men, gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary. The wellness topics discussed are diverse, ranging from dating and intimacy, aging considerations, how we get and offer support, and exploring our identities as Black men.

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 PM. There is no charge to attend. We begin with a meet and greet with dinner that begins at 5:30PM and the discussion group starts at 6PM. The group is facilitated by Stuart Huggins and Will Dean.

To register to attend the meetings email: willdean.boardmember@brothersofthedesert.org

For questions email Tim Vincent at president@brothersofthedesert.org

Save the Date!

Real Talk, Real Health | 2026 Wellness Summit Preview

Saturday, November 15th, 9 AM-1PM | Renaissance Hotel, Palm Springs, CA

Join Brothers of the Desert for the Real Talk, Real Health 2025 —a free, half-day event designed to spark conversation, inspire healthy living, and build community around holistic well-being for Black men and allies in the Coachella Valley.

Whether you’re just starting your wellness journey or already deep into self-care and transformation, this preview event offers something for everyone.

Enjoy complimentary coffee and juice options and lunch following the event

Engage in interactive discussions with wellness leaders

Learn lifestyle strategies that nourish both body and mind

Get an exclusive look ahead at our 2026 Wellness Summit

Admission is free, but space is limited—Registration is required.

Secure your spot today. Realtalkrealhealth.eventbrite.com

We’re also proud to announce a new partnership with Gilead. They are graciously sponsoring a complimentary lunch for all attendees immediately following the event. It’s a chance to continue the conversation, connect with speakers, and build community over a shared meal.

Palm Springs PRIDE Parade Walk w/Brothers of the Desert!

Sunday, November 9th, Parade starts at 10:00 am sharp.

Brothers of the Desert is walking in the Palm Springs PRIDE Parade! Would you like to represent us as a Member or Ally?

The parade starts at 10:00 am, and we will be lining up before 10 am near Vista Chino and Palm Canyon Drive.

Let us know you want to support us by emailing Eric (Vicepresident@brothersofthedesert.org) before Friday, November 7th.