Real Talk, Real Health: 2027 Wellness Summit Preview

Brothers of the Desert invites the community to Real Talk, Real Health, a wellness-season opening conversation designed to bring people together for honest dialogue, reflection, and community-centered care.

This gathering serves as a preview and kickoff for the road to the 2027 Brothers of the Desert Wellness Summit. The program will center wellness as more than health information alone. It will explore how joy, purpose, connection, culture, relationships, and lived experience shape the way Black gay men and our communities practice well-being.

The morning will include coffee, conversation, a moderated program, and space for fellowship. A complimentary lunch at the Surf Club will be provided. Registration is required.

Meet the speakers

jarrett hill
Award-winning journalist, author, and multidisciplinary artist jarrett hill brings storytelling, culture, and candid conversation together. He co-authored the NAACP Image Award-winning book Historically Black Phrases with Tre’vell Anderson and earned a master’s in religion and public life from Harvard Divinity School in 2025. His work spans journalism, visual art, speaking, and media consulting through trblmkng., with a focus on amplifying voices and stories too often overlooked.

Dr. Keith R. Green
Dr. Keith R. Green is an organizer, educator, researcher, and executive director of the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus. His work advances health equity and community wellness for Black gay, bisexual, and same-gender-loving men. He holds a master’s in social work from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a PhD in social service administration from the University of Chicago. Also an award-winning spoken-word artist, Dr. Green brings a creative, community-centered perspective to conversations about well-being.

Darnell L. Moore
Darnell L. Moore is an award-winning writer, educator, and advocate whose work explores identity, belonging, and social justice. He is the author of No Ashes in the Fire: Coming of Age Black and Free in America, a 2019 Lambda Literary Award winner and New York Times Notable Book. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The Guardian, The Nation, and EBONY. Across his work, Moore centers community, care, and the possibilities of living more freely.

Meet the moderator

C. Aigner “Anye Elite” Ellis | Moderator
C. Aigner “Anye Elite” Ellis is an author, artist, and founder of Icon City Entertainment, where he brings together storytelling, media, and community-centered events. He serves as editor-in-chief of Icon City News and is the author of Rainbow Soul: A Chosen Lineage of Black Queer Music, Memory, and Becoming. His moderation experience includes Real Talk, Real Health with Dr. Leo Moore and World AIDS Day conversations at the Palm Springs Art Museum, connecting culture, advocacy, and community wellness.

Schedule
9:30 AM — Coffee, arrival, and community gathering
10:00 AM — Program begins
1:00 PM — Program concludes
After 1:00 PM —Lunch / informal fellowship

Accessibility / community note
This event is free to attend. Donations are optional and help support Brothers of the Desert’s wellness programming.