MOBIfest Returns June 5 – 12

by : Editor June 4, 2022

Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI) is proud to announce the live return of MOBIfest, an annual interactive wellness festival that focuses on culture, community, and health while celebrating the voices of Black gay and queer people of color in the arts, entertainment, and media on June 9th – 12th, with a prefestival activation on Sunday, June 5th.

MOBI was created in 2017 in response to a lack of spaces for Black gay men and queer communities of color to develop personally and professionally while creating a supportive community network. That mission has only grown stronger and prouder in its fifth year of programming, “MOBI was able to continue to create engaging content during the pandemic to unite our community members and others online. While we’ve been extremely successful reaching people digitally, we’re even more thrilled with connecting to people in person again,” said Julian J. Walker, Deputy Director of MOBI. “We cannot wait to bring this free festival to life and create, thrive, collaborate, and gather with community and friends from NYC and beyond.”

This year MOBI is going bigger and more intentional than ever. This year MOBIfest will be a four-day experience where all attendees can and will see their holistic selves:

Sunday, June 5th at 2 PM, MOBIfest will kick off with a pre-festival Queer Art Show and Party curated by Kendrick Daye, showcasing artwork submitted by local queer artists. This event will take place at 530 W 25th St., New York, NY 10001. BMAJR will serve as the event DJ.

Thursday, June 9th at 10 pm MOBIfest Official Kick-Off Party with Trappy Hour at 4West Lounge, 303 W 127th St, New York, NY 10027. Harmonica Sunbeam will host an evening full of celebration.

Friday, June 10th, will be Deviant @ 3DB

Saturday, June 11th at 6 pm, MOBIfest will make its return to the Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, with a curated lineup of queer-focused artists, entertainers, ballroom legends, and DJs, featuring Albanus Thierry, Bambihanna, BMAJR, Britton & The Sting, DJ Adair, DJ Boston Chery, Dyllon Burnside, Harmonica Sunbeam, Jash Jay, JeRonelle, Julian King, Kandy Muse, Kenneth Kyrell, Mila Jam, Sevndeep, TENz Magazine, and Wuhryn with more artist to be announced. Attendees will be guided through the evening by two Black queer couples: Brandé Elise and Danielle Gray, and Marco Reese and Randy Bowden Jr. Following MOBIfest, the afterparty will continue at the Music Hall of Williamsburg with a special performance.

Sunday, June 12th at 8 PM, MOBI joins TENz Magazine for a MOBIfest Edition of “Some Nice Things” at Madame X, 94 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012. The event will feature a mini-ball with cash prizes over $2,500.

“We are proud to be sponsors of the 2022 MOBIfest. Gilead knows the importance of facilitating organic connections and empowerment opportunities through creative programming,” said Darwin V. Thompson, Director of Corporate Giving, Gilead Sciences, Inc. “The work of Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative has been critical to cultivating these safe spaces, and we’re beyond excited to participate in this year’s festival.”