Brothers of the Desert is a non-profit organization providing a growing support network for Black gay men and allies in the Coachella Valley. Our mission is to nurture and support Black gay men and allies through philanthropy, volunteerism, mentorship, education, advocacy, and social networking. Our purpose is to change the dynamics that produce isolation, disconnection, and inequities among Black gay men.

The seeds of our brotherhood were planted in 2017 in response to feelings of isolation and disconnection among Black gay men in the Coachella Valley –both desert pioneers and newcomers. The founding members, driven by a motivation to provide meaningful support to the Black LGBTQ community, began by assessing the needs and dreams of the long-standing Black gay residents who call the Coachella Valley home. In 2019, they partnered with a like-minded LGBTQ nonprofit called Better Brothers of LA to raise money for local scholarships, which led them to formally incorporate as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in 2020. Since then, the Brothers of the Desert have dedicated over $10,000 in scholarships to LGBTQ+ and Black students in the Coachella Valley.