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Check out my favorite films that were influenced by blaxploitation. These movies demonstrate how the spirit of blaxploitation has evolved over the decades, inspiring stories that celebrate Black culture, challenge systemic injustice, and introduce the genre’s enduring impact to new generations of audiences.

Blaxploitation was a short-lived but influential subgenre of American cinema that emerged in the early 1970s during the Black civil rights and Black Power movements. It gave Black filmmakers greater opportunities to tell their own stories, though the term “blaxploitation,” coined by NAACP official Junius Griffin in 1972, reflected criticism that some films reinforced harmful stereotypes.

Top 25 Blaxploitation Films of the Era Part 2 - Prideindex

This week’s Find of the Week features Anye Elite of Icon City News as he responds to Matthew Vines’ New York Times guest essay, “I’m Gay, Not Queer. It Matters,” entering a timely conversation about the language of identity and the forces that shape how communities define themselves.

Beyond Silence: Biodun Abudu on His New Book and Challenging the Status Quo It’s hard to keep up with Biodun Abudu—and that’s exactly how he likes it. Whether he’s writing books, creating art, speaking at festivals, or exploring big questions about society.....

Before readers ever open Organic Empathy, Michelle E. Brown has already spent decades inviting people to see themselves—and one another—through the power of words. 

Thank you, Windy City Times, for the coverage. Mission accomplished!!! Annual Esteem Awards celebrates queer Chicagoans’ courage and creativity

Chicago’s CoquieHughes Selected for Lilly Wachowski’s National Writers Fellowship, Bringing LGBTQ+ Storytelling to the Forefront

Chicago writer, filmmaker and storyteller CoquieHughes has been selected as one of only five writers nationwide for the 2026 Anarchists United Writers Discovery Fellowship, making her the only Chicago-based fellow chosen for this year’s highly competitive program founded by The Matrix co-creator Lilly Wachowski.

Red, Pink & Purple Polka Dot Poetry Slam 2026 This event is not just about poetry, but also about raising awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer, and Urban Violence/Domestic Violence on our community.

Dion L. Scott Brings a modern edge to Vampire Gothic Fiction

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Scott is the author of the acclaimed Mackenzie Taylor vampire trilogy—Transformation, Traitors, and Eternally Bonded—a modern fantasy saga that takes readers on an epic journey from Los Angeles to New York.

The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Summer Reading List: Part 2

The summer reading adventure isn’t over yet! Part Two of our Summer Reads selection is here, featuring more incredible books from beloved LGBTQ+ authors. From captivating page-turners to inspiring stories, there’s something for every reader. Dive in and discover your next favorite summer read!

The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Summer Reading List: Part 1

Summer is here, and with it comes the perfect excuse to escape into a great book. Whether you’re stretched out on a sunny beach, or enjoying a picnic in the park, these standout reads from some of our favorite LGBTQ+ authors are ready to keep you company all season long. From swoon-worthy romances and imaginative YA fantasies to thought-provoking nonfiction, this collection celebrates love, joy, identity, and possibility in all their forms. So, grab your sunscreen, find your favorite reading spot, and dive into these summer reads selection!

Anthony L. Williams on Craft, Care, And Creative Vision

Featured in the Obama Presidential Center’s “Imagine Your Impact” exhibit, Anthony L. Williams is an award-winning filmmaker, showrunner, educator, and Founder & CEO of Second Glance Productions. From his acclaimed docuseries It’s Not You. It’s Me: Chicago to the celebrated films Thicker Than Blood and Absolutely Positive, his work explores relationships, mental health, community, and social impact.

Armani Walton Gets Real About Pride, Kinks, And Confidence

From hosting major Pride events and promoting sexual health awareness to navigating influencer culture, Armani’s journey inspires pride and confidence. In this candid conversation with Pride Index, he shares his career, body positivity, dating, boundaries, kinks, relationships, and future projects, aiming to motivate and empower the audience.