The Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus intentionally employs a “for us, by us” approach to all of our programming and activities. Our primary advisory board, known as the Caucus CORE, reflects the broad diversity within our community (e.g., youth, house/ballroom, kink/fetish, people living with HIV).
Mind Body, and Soul
Health & Wellness Circle
With support from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead Sciences and Thera Technologies, the Mind, Body and Soul Health and Wellness Circle is designed to support community-wide efforts to engage and maintain Black gay, bisexual and same gender loving (GBSGL) men in a range of health-related services. Six community-based organizations led by Black gay/bisexual men (Alliance Care 360, CBGMC, Faith United Methodist Church, Pride in the Pews, Project Vida, and Task Force Prevention and Community Services) serve as access points for the MBS Wellness Circle.
Supported by a team of Wellness Coaches with a wide range of expertise (e.g., personal training, mental health, health navigation/referral, faith/spirituality), each organization offers centrally coordinated health and wellness programming including but not limited to group exercise and yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture, and nutrition/cooking classes. Participants also have access to other services offered by each of the partner organizations included.
CBGMCs role in the MBS Wellness Circle is to develop and promote a “wellness portal” (accessible via a mobile ap and traditional website) that serves as the centralized hub for all programming offered through the initiative. The wellness portal features homegrown health and wellness content while also allowing users to register for classes/workshops offered through the project.