Uncovering Hidden Histories: A Special Partnership with San Diego Black Pride

By Nicole Verdes

WHOSE WORLD, WHOSE HOME: Uncovering San Diego’s Queer Black Futures and Histories

Thursday, July 10 at 6:30 PM | Diversionary Theatre | FREE Event

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with San Diego Black Pride for an extraordinary evening that promises to reshape how we understand our city’s Queer Black history. On July 10, join us at Diversionary Theatre for Whose World, Whose Home, a groundbreaking exploration of Black Queer San Diego stories that have remained untold until now.

This free event represents more than just a panel discussion — it’s a revelation of community resilience, a celebration of identity, and a bridge connecting past struggles to present possibilities. Seating is limited, so securing your spot early is essential for this once-in-a-lifetime gathering.

The Research That Changed Everything

For the past year, Dr. T.J. Tallie, our Community Historian in Residence, has been conducting meticulous archival research that brings to light the powerful narratives of Black Queer San Diegans from 1988 to 2002. This period represents a crucial era of transformation — both locally and nationally — when conversations about race, sexuality, and belonging were reshaping American society.

Dr. Tallie’s work goes far beyond simple documentation. Through careful examination of activist papers, community newspapers, and firsthand accounts, this research foregrounds Black queer voices that have too often been marginalized in traditional historical narratives. The project examines how the Black queer community didn’t just survive during these decades of profound social and cultural change, they navigated, defined, and actively transformed San Diego itself. One major part of Tallie’s research focused on Marti Mackey, a Black lesbian writer and activist whose words challenged complacency and assimilation in the LGBT community in the early 1990s. Mackey’s writing against racism, sexism, and homophobia still echoes with immediate power and interest for us today.

As an Associate Professor of African History at the University of San Diego, Dr. Tallie brings unique expertise in comparative settler colonial, Indigenous, queer, and imperial history to this local exploration. Their previous work, Queering Colonial Natal: Indigeneity and the Violence of Belonging in Southern Africa, demonstrates their commitment to amplifying voices that have been systematically excluded from mainstream historical accounts.

Why This Partnership Matters

Our collaboration with San Diego Black Pride represents a natural alignment of missions. San Diego Black Pride works tirelessly to build a united front of diverse Queer Black community members, creating a central hub for social, political, and economic advancement. This event embodies that vision by creating space for community members to connect with their history while building toward their collective future.

The partnership recognizes that understanding our past is essential for creating the inclusive future our community deserves. When we uncover the stories of those who came before us, their struggles, triumphs, innovations, and acts of courag,e we gain both inspiration and practical wisdom for navigating contemporary challenges.

Voices That Shaped Our Community

The evening will feature an exceptional panel of Queer Black community members who will help illuminate these rediscovered histories. Dr. T.J. Tallie will be joined by Jordan Daniels, Joshua Dunn, Rayyon Robinson, Amber St. James, and Miki Vale, each bringing their perspective and expertise to this multifaceted exploration.

We are particularly honored to welcome Phyllis Jackson, who will present a special reading of selected writings from Marti Mackey. This tribute ensures that the literary and cultural contributions of Black queer San Diegans receive the recognition they deserve, connecting written word to lived experience in meaningful ways.

These panelists represent different generations, experiences, and perspectives within the Black Queer community, creating a rich tapestry of voices that reflects the diversity and complexity of the stories being uncovered.

The Broader Impact

This research project, titled “Whose World, Whose Home?”: Black Queer Life in San Diego, 1988–2002, draws from extensive archives including materials from the San Diego LGBT Community Center and San Diego Pride. The depth of Dr. Tallie’s investigation — spanning activist papers, newspaper editorials, and personal recollections — creates an unprecedented resource for understanding how Black queer San Diegans articulated their relationship to a rapidly changing city.

The late 1980s and 1990s were marked by significant shifts in national attitudes toward race and sexuality. During this period, San Diego was experiencing its transformation as a major metropolitan area. Understanding how Black queer residents navigated these intersecting changes provides crucial insight into both local history and broader patterns of community formation and resistance.

This work contributes to a growing body of scholarship that recognizes the essential role of Black queer voices in LGBTQ+ history. Too often, mainstream narratives have centered white experiences while marginalizing the contributions and perspectives of people of color. Dr. Tallie’s research actively works to correct this historical imbalance.

Looking Forward While Honoring the Past

The title Whose World, Whose Home, taken from an article written by Mackey in 1990, poses fundamental questions about belonging, ownership, and community that remain deeply relevant today. As San Diego continues to evolve — facing challenges around housing, gentrification, and cultural preservation — the strategies and insights of previous generations become increasingly valuable.

The stories uncovered through this research don’t just belong in academic journals or archived collections. They belong in community conversations, in policy discussions, and in the ongoing work of building a more inclusive San Diego. This event creates space for those connections to happen organically.

Join Us for This Historic Evening

This gathering represents a rare opportunity to engage directly with research that is reshaping our understanding of local Queer Black history. Whether you’re a longtime community member, a recent arrival to San Diego, a student of history, or simply someone interested in stories of resilience and transformation, this event offers something meaningful.

The partnership between our organizations and San Diego Black Pride demonstrates the power of collaboration in preserving and celebrating community history. Together, we’re creating space for voices that have been overlooked, untold stories, and connections that can inspire future generations.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, July 10 at 6:30 PM at Diversionary Theatre. This free event promises to be unforgettable, but seating is limited. Secure your spot today and become part of this important moment in San Diego’s ongoing story.

To reserve your seat and learn more about the event, visit our website. For more information about San Diego Black Pride and their ongoing community work, connect with them through their various platforms and initiatives.