The Reckoning Podcast

Archbishop Carl Bean (1944-2021), spiritual leader, HIV activism pioneer, and the voice behind the 1977 version of “I Was Born This Way,” joins host Johnnie Ray Kornegay III for a rare, deeply personal conversation recorded in January 2021. This show features excerpts from the discussion between the two. This conversation is being shared in honor of National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NFHAAD) ....

For Black LGBTQIA+ folks, the nightclub isn’t just a place to dance, it’s a place where we can find community and discover who we are. With many Atlanta Black gay spaces closed or closing, it’s hard to keep track of all of the history. On this episode Charles Stephens chats with Dr. Damian Denson about his personal journey to self through 2000’s Atlanta nightlife. Damian takes us on a journey thro...

Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs joined us to discuss her connection to Audre Lorde. Dr. Gumbs is currently writing a biography of Lorde called "The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde." During this conversation Dr. Gumbs discusses Lorde's connection to Joseph Beam and Essex Hemphill. She also discusses Melvin Dixon's 1992 keynote at the OutWrite Conference "I'll Be Somewhere Listening For My Name." Listen to the...

CNP hosted our annual CNP Summit on March 17th and March 18th, 2021. The Summit was virtual. The theme was: "Lessons Learned from Bayard Rustin." Bayard Rustin was a brilliant strategist and organizer. He is also a key influence of CNP and a historical figure we have taken considerable inspiration from and look to honor his legacy through our work. This session is entitled "Bayard Rustin: Brother...

CNP hosted our annual CNP Summit on March 17th and March 18th, 2021. The Summit will be virtual. The theme was: "Lessons Learned from Bayard Rustin." Bayard Rustin was a brilliant strategist and organizer. He is also a key influence of CNP and a historical figure we have taken considerable inspiration from and look to honor his legacy through our work. This session is entitled "Influencing a King:...

On this show Charles Stephens sits down with Journalist Linda Villarosa. Linda is the Program Director at The City College of New York, and she wrote a piece for the New York Times entitled “America's Hidden HIV Epidemic: Why do America's black gay and bisexual men have a higher HIV rate than any country in the world?” This conversation was taped in 2017. About CNP: The Counter Narrative Project (...

CNP has long looked to the writer and activist James Baldwin for perspective and inspiration. Through his novels, essays, and other writings, we have found not only a wise ancestor but a trusted friend and witness. We were founded in part, as a tribute and love letter to Baldwin. His legacy is in our DNA. Baldwin’s Atlanta explores James Baldwin's relationship with Atlanta, particularly through hi...

On this podcast episode Johnnie Kornegay chats with Singer, Songwriter, Producer and Arranger Donnie  about his album The American Mythology , and his personal journey to liberation. In this interview you'll find Donnie speaking candidly and frankly about his life, being a Black gay man and experiences while preparing to reveal his musical. Donnie emerged on the music scene in 2002...

Johnnie Ray Kornegay III reads from his article about 'Black Vans' by Alex Smith from CNP’s digital publication The Reckoning. The comic is breaking new ground by featuring a fat, Black, gay superhero in the future. The comic book centers around Bo, an Afro-Latin character, and a group of queer superheroes of color. The narrative represents marginalized communities and challenges societal norms re...

For Mother’s Day, Johnnie Ray Kornegay III pays tribute to Dorothy Beam, the mother of celebrated Black gay anthologist Joseph Beam, whose devotion to her son's legacy transformed personal grief into a powerful act of advocacy. After Joseph's death from AIDS-related complications in 1988, Dorothy refused to let his unfinished work disappear; instead, she collaborated with poet Essex Hemphill to co...