08/13/2026
GRIOT Circle is proud to honor Pat and Paulette Martin, Pat one of the Founders of the Masculine Identified Le****ns of Color Collective (MILCC), and both Paulette and Pat, Founders of HarlemYes, at our 30th Anniversary Celebration.
In 2018, Pat co-created the Masculine Identified Le****ns of Color Collective (MILoCC) with Rev. A. Deborah Rice to provide a safe, affirming, and intergenerational space where Masculine-Identified (MI) and Masculine-of-Center (MoC) le****ns of color could connect, build community, and access valuable resources. Recognizing the significant work required to establish and operate the organization, they invited Dr. Kofi Adoma and Rev. C. Alicia Heath-Toby to assist with structuring and organizing the Collective.
Through discussion groups, workshops, programs, and community events, MILoCC brings people together across generations to address issues related to identity, self-care, mental and physical wellness, financial health, economic empowerment, and business ownership. At the heart of the Collective is a commitment to increasing the visibility of and fostering meaningful connections among Masculine-of-Center le****ns of color, whose lives, experiences, and contributions are often overlooked—even within LGBTQ+ communities.
Under Pat’s committed leadership, MILoCC currently holds space for more than 400 Masculine-of-Center le****ns of color across more than 25 states, as well as in Africa, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Although most MILoCC programs and events welcome the broader LGBTQ+ community and allies, membership is reserved for those who are Masculine-Identified and Masculine-of-Center people of color.
In 2015, Pat and Paulette co-founded HarlemYES, Inc., a community-based organization that received nonprofit status in 2018. They continue to work alongside one another, frequently recruiting teams of like-minded community members to help develop intergenerational programs and events for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.
Their collective and individual work has included the first NYC Black Pride Women’s Forum, the Girls Empowerment Summit, and the LGBTQ Women of Color Summit. Together, Paulette and Pat have created opportunities for people to find community, share their experiences, build relationships across generations, and access resources that support their individual needs, well-being, and personal growth.
Through their work with MILoCC and HarlemYES, Inc., Pat and Paulette continue to strengthen the visibility, connection, and collective power of the Black le***an community—including those who self-identify and live authentically as Masculine-of-Center, Feminine-of-Center, and allies.
Join us as we celebrate Pat and Paulette and 30 years of GRIOT Circle.
Additional honorees will soon be announced.
Monday, November 2, 2026 | 6:00–8:30 PM
BRIC | Brooklyn, NY
You can become a sponsor and purchase tickets at the link.
https://griotcircle.org/30th-anniversary/
