Upcoming Events
'Ruthless!' author explores love & intimacy among Black gay men
So much of life is about stories:
The funny memories we tell friends;
The painful challenges we confide to a biological or chosen family member; and
The dreams we share with an intimate partner.
Among gay or same-gender-loving men of color, our stories are not often recorded. However, novelist Wyatt O'Brian Evans is changing the narrative.
Join Brothers of the Desert Board member (and host) Will Dean as he engages Mr. Evans in conversation about his new novel, "Ruthless!," at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26. It's the author's fourth novel in a book series he created, "Nothing Can Tear Us Apart."
"Ruthless!" centers Wesley and Antonio, a monogamous couple of gay/same-gender-loving men of color, who face unique challenges that explore volatile family dynamics and intimate partner violence and abuse. The author merges bold humor, thoughtful insight, and a journalist's research skills to weave a story that is uniquely his own.
The conversation with Mr. Evans will be virtual, with an audience also gathered at The Center to watch and participate. Come out and enjoy the discussion and refreshments.
With co-sponsor Rainbow Advocacy Press, which plans to stream the event on its new virtual platform, we are inviting book lovers who are part of LGBTQ+ communities of color and our fabulous allies to join us in person or from wherever they are in the world.
When: 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26, 2026 (Please RSVP by Aug. 21)
Admission: Free
Where: LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, 1301 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. (Room 1)
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86322747923?pwd=HsZU7DsQ9M6eFQ6jIh1FQlUephsB0F.1
Lovers & Friends—an R&B day party
Lovers & Friends is your R&B daytime escape! Join us September 6 from 2–5 PM as DJ Tina Turntables keeps the party spinning indoors—with drink specials, cool vibes, and zero desert heat. Best of all, 100% of door proceeds benefit the Brothers of the Desert Scholarship Foundation. Come dance, sip, and party for a purpose!
Barbershop Discussion Group
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
Members Monthly Meeting
Members Monthly Meeting
Saturday, September 12th | 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.
Members & Allies Lunch
Members & Allies Lunch
Saturday, September 12, 2026
12:30 PM 2:00 PM
Mark's Burger/Cathedral City
68-718 East Palm Canyon Drive #201, Cathedral City 92234 United States (map)
Google Calendar ICS
Members & Allies Lunch
Saturday, September 12, 2026
12:30 PM 2:00 PM
Mark's Burger/Cathedral City
68-718 East Palm Canyon Drive #201, Cathedral City, 92234 United States (map)
Google Calendar ICS
Join us for our Monthly Members & Allies Lunch at Mark's Burger/Cathedral City!
Both members and allies are welcome to attend (Cash and Carry).
RSVP with DavidMaurice.Jones@gmail.com before September 11, 2026.
11th Annual Positively Aging Project Conference
LIVE! LAUGH! LUST! Because Joy Is Good Medicine
PALM SPRINGS, CA| Forty years ago, the conversation about HIV was centered on survival.
Today, thanks to extraordinary advances in treatment and research, many people living with HIV are asking a different question:
How do we live well?
That question is at the heart of the 11th Annual Positively Aging Project Conference.
This year's theme, "Live! Laugh! Lust!", celebrates the idea that while medicine helps us live longer, joy, connection, and purpose help us live better.
Yes. We said "Lust!"
Because joy, intimacy, and connection don't look the same for everyone.
Beyond the playful title lies a simple truth: joy belongs in the conversation about aging with HIV. Alongside advances in medicine, purpose, laughter, meaningful relationships, curiosity, and human connection are essential ingredients for a life well lived.
"Healthy aging isn't just about adding years to life. It's about filling those years with purpose, connection, laughter, and hope," said Steven Drew Auerbach, Co-Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of HARP. "Medicine helps us live longer. Joy helps us live better. That's what this conference is all about."
This year's conference features three nationally recognized keynote speakers whose personal and professional journeys embody the spirit of Live! Laugh! Lust!
LIVE
Award-winning HIV activist, journalist, and author Mark S. King will explore life beyond diagnosis and the opportunities that come with growing older with HIV.
LAUGH
Comedian, storyteller, and radio personality Shann Carr will remind attendees that laughter has long been one of our community's greatest sources of resilience while honoring the extraordinary role lesbians played during the AIDS epidemic as caregivers, advocates, and chosen family.
LUST
Nina Grace Ruedas, MPH, MS, LMFT, Director of the UCR Women's Resource Center and Clinical Instructor at the UCR School of Medicine, will explore intimacy, relationships, self-acceptance, and living authentically without apology. Her presentation encourages participants to define happiness and connection on their own terms, whether through partnership, casual relationships, deep friendships, or independent living, free from stigma, expectations, or judgment.
LEARN
While each Positively Aging Project Conference explores a different annual theme, one tradition remains constant: a panel of leading HIV physicians and researchers sharing the latest advances in treatment, healthy aging, and emerging research. Together with this year's keynote speakers, the program strikes a thoughtful balance between cutting-edge science and the lived experience of aging with HIV.
The 11th Annual Positively Aging Project Conference will be held on Saturday, September 19, at the Mizell Center in Palm Springs. Presented through the longstanding collaboration of the HIV+ Aging Research Project (HARP), The Center, Brothers of the Desert, Jewish Family Service of the Desert, the Alzheimer's Association, PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors), Triangle Care Management, Eisenhower Health, and DAP Health, the conference reflects a shared commitment to improving the lives of people aging with HIV through education, research, and community connection.
Registration and a complimentary continental breakfast begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the conference from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A complimentary lunch will also be served. Throughout the day, attendees can visit community resource tables featuring healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and support services from across the Coachella Valley.
As with all Positively Aging Project educational events, admission is free and open to the public.
Now in its eleventh year, the Positively Aging Project Conference continues to demonstrate what is possible when healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience come together with a shared purpose.
Whether you've been living with HIV for decades, are newly diagnosed, support someone who is, work in healthcare, or simply want to learn more, you'll leave with practical tools, new connections, renewed hope, and, perhaps most importantly, a renewed appreciation for what it truly means to live well.
Event Details
11th Annual Positively Aging Project Conference Theme: Live! Laugh! Lust! Date: Saturday, September 19 Registration & Complimentary Continental Breakfast: 9:00 a.m. Conference Program: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Complimentary Lunch: Included Location: Mizell Center, Palm Springs Admission: Free and open to the public
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1992515665994?aff=oddtdtcreator
Learn More: www.HARP-PS.org
Live boldly. Laugh often. Lust for life.
Members Monthly Meeting
Members Monthly Meeting
Saturday, October 10th | 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.
Members Monthly Meeting
Members Monthly Meeting
Saturday, November 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.
Members Monthly Meeting
Members Monthly Meeting
Saturday, December 12th | 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.
Save the Date: Brothers of the Desert New Year’s Eve Gala
Ring in the New Year celebrating Harlem Renaissance (Dandy Style).
Spend time with The Brothers of the Desert at our annual gala and fundraiser to support our scholarship and other programs.
📅 When: December 31, 2026
🕠 Time: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Place: DoubleTree Hotel and Resort, Cathedral City
Celebrate an unforgettable evening of culture, community, and giving as we welcome the New Year in style. Visit our website www.brothersofthedesert.org for updates on the event.
Barbershop Discussion Group
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
Gay Men of Integrity Leadership Summit
Support and join in with BOD member Erick Taylor Woodby
Free summit for gay men in leadership, Aug 10–14 — confidence, honesty, staying true to yourself. I'm part of it: summit.gaymenofintegrity.com/erick
From Erick:
I'll be talking about Creating Spaces to Share Our Stories. As the creator, host, and producer of the internationally recognized podcast Our Black Gay Diaspora, I’ll discuss the importance of media that showcase the diversity within our global LGBTQ+ communities — because representation isn’t just powerful; it’s necessary.
Barbershop Discussion Group
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
Members & Allies Lunch
Members & Allies Lunch
Saturday, July 11, 2026
12:30 PM 2:00 PM
El Taco Asado
440 El Cielo Road, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 United States (map)
Google Calendar ICS
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 July 10, 2026.
Members Monthly Meeting
Members Monthly Meeting
Saturday, July 11th | 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.
LGBTQ+ History Exhibit Private Tour at the Civil Rights Institute - Inland Southern California
LGBTQ+ History Exhibit Private Tour at the Civil Rights Institute - Inland Southern California
Choose your day!
Tuesday, July 7, 2026,
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, or
Thursday, July 9, 2026
10:00 AM 11:30 AM (Each Day)
3933 Mission Inn Avenue, Suite 103, Riverside, CA 92501
Brothers of the Desert is excited to invite you to a fantastic exhibit at the Civil Rights Institute - Inland Southern California in Riverside, CA. A visual and thematic historical perspective of the LGBTQ+ experience in the Greater Inland Empire from the “early days” through today.
The exhibit covers 10 central themes: Art AIDS Community Care Political Representation Student Movements Drag and Nightlife Safety Faith Pride and Representation, and Queer Futures. Additionally, there are 45 digitally recorded oral histories of movers and shakers from the mid-1990s to the present; 12 short documentary-style films; and LGBTQ+ artifacts.
To RSVP email: davidmaurice.jones@tutamail.com
LGBTQ+ History Exhibit Private Tour at the Civil Rights Institute - Inland Southern California
LGBTQ+ History Exhibit Private Tour at the Civil Rights Institute - Inland Southern California
Choose your day!
Tuesday, July 7, 2026,
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, or
Thursday, July 9, 2026
10:00 AM 11:30 AM (Each Day)
3933 Mission Inn Avenue, Suite 103, Riverside, CA 92501
Brothers of the Desert is excited to invite you to a fantastic exhibit at the Civil Rights Institute - Inland Southern California in Riverside, CA. A visual and thematic historical perspective of the LGBTQ+ experience in the Greater Inland Empire from the “early days” through today.
The exhibit covers 10 central themes: Art AIDS Community Care Political Representation Student Movements Drag and Nightlife Safety Faith Pride and Representation, and Queer Futures. Additionally, there are 45 digitally recorded oral histories of movers and shakers from the mid-1990s to the present; 12 short documentary-style films; and LGBTQ+ artifacts.
To RSVP email: davidmaurice.jones@tutamail.com
LGBTQ+ History Exhibit Private Tour at the Civil Rights Institute - Inland Southern California
LGBTQ+ History Exhibit Private Tour at the Civil Rights Institute - Inland Southern California
Choose your day!
Tuesday, July 7, 2026,
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, or
Thursday, July 9, 2026
10:00 AM 11:30 AM (Each Day)
3933 Mission Inn Avenue, Suite 103, Riverside, CA 92501
Brothers of the Desert is excited to invite you to a fantastic exhibit at the Civil Rights Institute - Inland Southern California in Riverside, CA. A visual and thematic historical perspective of the LGBTQ+ experience in the Greater Inland Empire from the “early days” through today.
The exhibit covers 10 central themes: Art AIDS Community Care Political Representation Student Movements Drag and Nightlife Safety Faith Pride and Representation, and Queer Futures. Additionally, there are 45 digitally recorded oral histories of movers and shakers from the mid-1990s to the present; 12 short documentary-style films; and LGBTQ+ artifacts.
To RSVP email: davidmaurice.jones@tutamail.com
Game Night with Honey Davenport
Join David Maurice Jones at One Eleven Bar in Cathedral City. Join the Interactive Game Night with Honey Davenport. Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 4:00-6:00 pm. The evening is benefiting Gay Men's Chorus suggested donation to participate $10. Let David know your coming by emailing him prior Davidmaurice.jones@gmail.com
One Eleven Bar-Cathedral City
67555 East Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A103
Cathedral City, 92234
Not So Newlywed Games
Let's join together and support "Patty Cakes" aka Patrick Pierre member of Brothers of the Desert. A pre-father's day fundraiser benefiting not just Brothers of the Desert, but Palm Springs Police Department and Center of Spiritual Living Palm Springs. Come together as Patty Cakes host the "Not So Newlywed Games" Saturday, June 20th (7:00pm) located at 2100 East Racquet Club Road, Palm Springs.
The Sunset Music and Education Foundation presents Juneteenth 2026 at Revolution Stage Company as part of Palm Springs’ XOXO Festival Weekend.
Join Sweet Baby J’ai for a powerful afternoon of storytelling, poetry, music, culture, and community featuring Gennine Francis, Keisha D, Charles Huff, Bernard Hoyes, Anyse Smith, Dr. Linda Oubre, Doris Reed, Patan Huang, Swara D’Souza, Reverend Perry Lang, Yve Evans, master drummer Oneko, a live jazz band, special cultural presentations, and performances by talented SMARTS Initiative students.
At a time when diversity and cultural expression are being challenged, events like this remind us how important it is to create spaces where people can gather, connect, learn from one another, and celebrate the richness of our shared cultural experiences. Through music, storytelling, poetry, and community, Juneteenth 2026 honors both the legacy of the past and the hope of the future.
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable afternoon of conversation, culture, and community. We hope to see you there!
This event is proudly sponsored in part by our Community Impact Partners: Guitar Center Foundation, and Sister Loc’s Consultant Services, Brothers of the Desert, the Barker Foundation, The Mod Squad at Windermere Realty,The Revolution Stage Company. And miss a great cache of Raffle prizes!
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 2 PM – 4 PM/Revolution Stage Company – Palm Springs
FREE & Open to the Public | Ticket Required
Visit www.sunsetmusic.org for tickets
Whitewater Preserves Day Trip
Whitewater Preserves Day Trip with David Maurice Jones (BOD Member)
Friday, June 19th 8:00am-1:00pm
Join David and honor nature and the earth to commemorate Juneteenth the old fashion way, with a throw down pic nic party, hike, river wading, card games, board games, and potluck snack or two. PLEASE rsvp before June 19th by sending me and email (davidmaurice.jones@gmail.com).
Members & Allies Lunch
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 June 12, 2026.
Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest Festival
Wine Tasting With A Cause
Named one of the BEST LGBTQ+ Food, Wine and Spirits Festivals in the U.S. by Wine Enthusiast, the Palm Springs EQUALITY WINE & FOOD FEST returns to the Hyatt Palm Springs, bringing together some of the world’s finest vintners, featuring LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and Women-owned and/or produced wines. Festival-goers will enjoy over 100 wines, food samples, live entertainment, a silent auction, and VIP experiences, all creating an environment that fosters community among everyone involved in enjoying every sip and bite. Your generous support will help elevate diverse talent, foster community, and bring these important conversations to the forefront, while supporting forward-thinking charities.
Brothers of the Desert is honored to be a beneficiary of this meaningful event!
Members Monthly Meeting
Members Monthly Meeting
Saturday, June 13th | 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.
Barbershop Discussion Group
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
Bar Night with Members and Allies (Brothers of the Desert)
Bar Night with Members and Allies (Brothers of the Desert)
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 (7:00-9:00 pm)
The Roost Lounge
68718 East Palm Canyon Drive #203
Cathedral City 92234
Hosted by David Maurice Jone an informal gathering at one of our favorite bars. Just a night to relax, laugh, and share a little conversation with other members from Brothers of the Desert. RSVP with David prior to June 3rd. Email Davidmaurice.jones@gmail.com
Barbershop Discussion Group
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
Members & Allies Lunch
Join us for our Monthly Members & Allies Lunch at Low Desert/ Modern Mexican!
Both members and allies are welcome to attend (Cash and Carry).
RSVP with DavidMaurice.Jones@gmail.com before May 8, 2026.
Members Monthly Meeting
Members Monthly Meeting
Saturday, May 9th | 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.
Barbershop Discussion Group
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
Black and Blue | Conversation Breakfast
The Palm Springs Police Department and Brothers of the Desert have partnered with Blackbook Bar and Kitchen to host an open conversation and a complimentary breakfast, powered by Dean Lavine, owner of Blackbook.
The intention for this conversation/breakfast is to continue the open communication with the PS Police Department from a Black person's point of view.
Communication is key, so please join us on Tuesday, April 14th, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Blackbook Bar on Arenas Road.
Reservations are a must at info@Brothersofthedesert.org prior to Tuesday, April 14th.
Members & Allies Lunch
Join us for our Monthly Members & Allies Lunch at Mark’s Burgers!
Both members and allies are welcome to attend (Cash and Carry).
RSVP with DavidMaurice.Jones@gmail.com before April 10, 2026.
Members Monthly Meeting
Members Monthly Meeting
Saturday, April 11th | 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.
“A Soul Food Sunday” Brunch
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.
7th Annual Wellness Summit
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
5th Annual: Meet the Speakers Opening Reception
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, Resilience, & the Power of Storytelling: Brothers of the Desert Pre-Conference Workshop
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
Members & Allies Lunch
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
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.