Wellness Summit

Click above to view

7th Annual Wellness Summit | Building Our Collective Resilience

This one-day event featured inspiring keynote presentations and engaging workshops exploring a range of topics, including the healing power of Black music; intergenerational communication and mentorship; Black LGBTQ+ history; lessons in resilience and leadership from Black women allies; reclaiming divinity; Ballroom culture; transformational leadership; and strategies for navigating health care systems.

View Photos

Watch highlights from 2025

Click above to view

How it Began

Brothers of the Desert hosts an annual Wellness Summit designed to foster connection, provide education, and create opportunities for participants to share their stories while learning from thought leaders dedicated to strengthening individual and community well-being. The Summit is intentionally interactive, engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking. Through a diverse lineup of guest speakers and workshop facilitators, participants explore topics that support the overall health, wellness, and empowerment of Black gay men.

The first Wellness Summit was held in person at the Palm Springs LGBTQ Center in 2019 under the theme, “Living Your Best Black Gay Life.” Since then, the Summit has grown significantly in both attendance and scope, attracting more than 250 participants at our most recent gathering, held at the Renaissance Hotel.

Brothers of the Desert hosted its 7th Annual Wellness Summit, Building Our Collective Resilience, on March 28, 2026, at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, with 270 participants in attendance. A pre-conference session was also held the day before, providing additional opportunities for learning, connection, and community building.

Keynote speakers included Keith Boykin, Harold Phillips, Nii-Quartelai Quartey, and Yolo Akili Robinson. Participants selected from 12 workshops offered across three breakout sessions, led by an outstanding group of presenters and panelists. Workshop topics included sexual health; the healing power of Black music; intergenerational communication and mentorship; Black LGBTQ+ history; the meaning and history of Ballroom culture; inspiration and resilience from Black women allies; reclaiming divinity; Black land loss; transformational leadership; and strategies for accessing power and advocacy within health care systems.