Founded in 1996, Detroit’s annual Hotter Than July celebration is the longest ongoing Black LGBT pride festival in the world. The pride set a model for a movement of Black pride celebrations that would spread across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa. Today, Hotter Than July continues in the spirit of collective works to cultivate communal solidarity amongst a still hidden, racialized, sexual, and gender-diverse community in Detroit. Its roots are grounded in community wisdom cultivated by a rich past of activism and

Creme Detroipolis is a culinary dessert concept inspired by important women in JyObX’s life. Their baking knowledge was key to crafting a sweet potato crème recipe that became popular at fresh food and farmer’s markets in Detroit. The decadent gluten free dessert line grew to include a variety of bake goods and sweets whereby sweet potatoes served as the tasty base for each item. Although the bakery is currently inactive, JyObaX maintains the recipes to develop a future cook book.

In communities of color experiential knowledge is a valuable resource that performs as community wisdom. This knowledge spans across generations in communities that endure the inequities of structural racism and cultural appropriation. The JyObaX Project examines community wisdom through a Black queer theoretical lens to strengthen community resilience and cultivate collective solidarity. Community Wisdom is a key component to achieving a Black radical love.