Wellness Summit
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6th Annual Wellness Summit | The Power of Authenticity
The one-day event featured inspiring keynote presentations and innovative workshops on various topics, such as spirituality, relationships, mental health, aging considerations, racism, physical health, communication, healthy sex, and creative expression as a means of healing.
Watch highlights from 2023
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How it Began
Brothers of the Desert holds an annual Wellness Summit on the second Saturday in November. The now signature event aims to provide connection, education, and opportunities to share stories and hear from thought leaders on how to support ourselves and our community. The summit’s aim is to be interactive, engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking. An array of guest presenters and workshop leaders convene on various relevant topics that support the overall health and well-being of Black gay men.
Our first event was held in person at the Palm Springs LGBTQ Center with the theme “Living Your Best Black Gay Life” and was attended by over 100 people. It was a full-day event with workshops and large group discussions and included breakfast, lunch, and an after-summit get-together at Blackbook Bar and Restaurant. Topics included examining spirituality, relationships and intimacy, sexual pleasure, financial planning, and more.
Most recently, the 6th Annual Wellness Summit, entitled “The Power of Authenticity,” was held in March 2025 at The Riviera Hotel and Spa with a record attendance of over 240 participants, a 54% increase from the previous summit. Brothers of the Desert brought together Black gay men and allies from all over the country to Palm Springs. We invited back some of the most well-regarded speakers from past summits and added new thought leaders, including best-selling author George M Johnson, renowned public health expert, Dr. David Malebranche, Bishop O.C. Allen, and the event was hosted again by Nathan Hale-Williams. Our 7th annual Wellness Summit, set for March 28th, 2026, promises to be another successful event to promote health and wellness in our community.
2025 Impact and Outcomes
2023 Summit Keynote Presentations
Past Summit Photos
