BC: Describe your WFH situation in three words.

Transformative, Challenging and Thought-Provoking 

BC: How do you and your team stay connected? 

Fortunately for us, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with a great opportunity to fully step into being the digital media company we tout ourselves to be. Zoom and Slack have both been amazing tools that allow our team to stay connected as we continue our work. 

BC: Was there a specific moment or instance that prompted the creation of C+C?

C+C was originally supposed to be a print magazine but after going through my own professional challenges as a Black Queer man in the media industry, I realized the need for visibility for marginalized people in those spaces. I’ve often witnessed and been subjected to racist work cultures that have actively silenced those same voices and as a result, found my desire to create an organization that rejected such culture. I knew then that C+C was much bigger than a print magazine but a platform for all Black, Brown, and Queer folks to feel seen and heard.

Our goal now is to establish ourselves as the go-to source for News, Culture, and Current Events for the Black, Brown, and Queer communities.

BC: Growing up in Texas, could you ever imagine you' d be running your own magazine one day?

Texas was an interesting place to grow up. As I have grown over the years, I have now come to understand how oppressive that environment often felt to me. I never imagined running my own publication but moving to New York allowed me to evolve into a person with many passions and freedoms. That realization coupled with my professional experiences birthed the idea and passion for Chaos + Comrades.

 BC: Favorite story you've published so far? Anything you're looking forward to?

My favorite story we’ve published so far has been the first issue of our digital magazine which featured Jess Guilbeaux from season 3 of Queer Eye. In the issue, we did an interview with Momma Tammye (also from Queer Eye) where she encouraged parents of Queer children to love their child unconditionally. Publishing that interview with her has been a highlight for us. 

I am looking forward to the first edition of our print magazine, which we hope to launch later this year. I describe it as a snapshot of the revolution surrounding Queer people of color that is currently happening in our country.

BC: What is a "Woke Guide" and do you plan on publishing any more?

A “Woke Guide” is an article that breaks down a specific social issue to educate the reader on controversial matters affecting marginalized people. Think of it as a guide meant to enlighten readers on how to be better informed.

Yes, we are currently planning a few more which will focus on Allyship, Colorism, and other topics related to our communities that we hope to launch in the coming weeks. As always we are researching how we can serve to be most impactful and our “Woke Guides” have been a significant part of that effort. 

BC: Right now the amplification of black, brown and queer voices is more important than ever.  In your experience, what is the most effective way for non-black allies to help? 

To me, the most significant way for non-black allies to align themselves with the Black community is to acknowledge their own privilege and to actively create space for and with Black people. That looks like sharing resources, sharing spaces, uplifting stories, supporting Black businesses, and acknowledging the oppressive systems in which non-black allies have benefited.

What we are witnessing now with the renewed BLM movement is the unification of non-black allies standing beside our community. If you haven’t personally felt the burden of this fight, you aren’t carrying enough weight. 

 BC: How are the BLM movement and Pride intersecting in 2020?  

This year we find ourselves at a unique intersection as we celebrate Pride in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement. Pride was originally a rebellion led by Black and Brown trans women. Those same communities have been erased from mainstream pride and morphed into a segregated celebration void of BIPOC and Trans women. This year as we cover our first pride as an organization, we are focused on uplifting Black Queer voices as we pay homage to ones that created the space we now live in.

BC: What is the best way to stay up-to-date on the latest from Chaos & Comrades?

The best way to stay-up-to date on the latest from C+C is to follow us on Instagram and to sign-up for our newsletter on our site.

Learn more at @chaosandcomrades and chaosandcomrades.com