The Reckoning

Counter Narrative Project

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Society & Culture

The Reckoning Podcast is a podcast from CNP that features conversations old and new from the #CNPTribe about Blackness and liberation from all walks of life.

08/25/2025

Archbishop Carl Bean on Faith, Music, and HIV Activism

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). From a Baltimore childhood steeped in “high-church” music and NAACP youth organizing to the artistic whirlwind of 1960s New York, Bean traces the path that shaped his voice and his calling. He shares how gospel great Alex Bradford opened doors, how the creative circle around Vinnette Carroll widened his world, and how hearing Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” pushed him to move to Los Angeles and step beyond Gospel and speak more boldly to the times through music. Bean reflects on forming the band Universal Love, landing his record deal with ABC Records, and ultimately recording “I Was Born This Way” at Motown, bringing in The Sweet Inspirations and insisting the song premiere at Jewel’s Catch One. He then opens up about the birth of Unity Fellowship and the pastoral work that called him to hospitals and families during the height of the AIDS crisis, and the personal toll it took. If you care about Black music, queer history, public health, or the power of one voice to move a people, this conversation will stay with you. Note: This episode includes discussion of AIDS-related loss and grief. Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro Theme 00:50 Disclaimer About Project and Request from Archbishop Carl Bean 03:28 Archbishop Carl Bean's Early Life and Career Beginnings 07:55 Joining the Bradford Singers and Professional Growth 15:20 Cultural and Creative Influences in New York 19:16 Transition to Solo Career and Personal Reflections 25:04 MidRoll 25:54 Formation of the band Universal Love 30:09 Getting His Record Deal with ABC Records and "All We Need Is Love" 33:58 The Motown Connection 35:04 Recording 'I Was Born This Way' 37:15 "I Was Born This Way" First Performed Live At Jewel's Catch One 38:56 Foundations of Unity Fellowship 42:11 On the AIDS Crisis and Personal Loss 46:28 Spiritual Reflections 50:23 Final Thoughts and Legacy 51:30 Outro Theme ✔ Join Our Mailing List ► https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Support CNP ✔ Donation ► https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, and TikTok ✔ TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe ✔ BlueSky ► https://bsky.app/profile/cnptribe.org ✔ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe ✔ Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe ©2025 The Counter Narrative Project, All Rights Reserved

52 min
08/25/2023

Discovering Identity on the Dance Floor: A Personal Journey through 2000s Atlanta Black Gay Clubs

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 through their personal experiences, where the club scene played a significant role in their life, for a period of time – both in positive and negative ways. His story is one of resilience and discovery. What do you remember about the Atlanta club scene? Support CNP ✔ Donation ► https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok ✔ TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe ✔ Twitter ► https://twitter.com/cnptribe ✔ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe ✔ Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe ©2023 The Counter Narrative Project, All Rights Reserved

31 min
04/04/2023

Helping Each Other Feel Possible: Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs on Audre Lorde and Melvin Dixon

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 OutWrite 1992 Closing Plenary featuring Melvin Dixon: https://bit.ly/434dCPu Follow Alexis Pauline Gumbs: https://alexispauline.com/ About CNP: The Counter Narrative Project (CNP), shifts narratives about Black gay men to change policy and improve lives. Our organization is committed to working in coalition and solidarity with all racial and social justice movements. We stand in the tradition of organizers, writers, and visionaries such as Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin. Join Our Mailing List: https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Donate to CNP: https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnptribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe

28 min
03/21/2023

Bayard Rustin: Brother of Omega Psi Phi

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 of Omega Psi Phi" Panelists Include: Charles Stephens and Brandon Wilson Event Date: Mar 18, 2021 1:00 PM About CNP: The Counter Narrative Project (CNP), shifts narratives about Black gay men to change policy and improve lives. Our organization is committed to working in coalition and solidarity with all racial and social justice movements. We stand in the tradition of organizers, writers, and visionaries such as Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin. Join Our Mailing List: https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Donate to CNP: https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnptribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe

50 min
03/14/2023

Influencing a King: Bayard Rustin & Coretta Scott King's LGBTQ+ Activism

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: Bayard Rustin & Coretta Scott King's LGBTQ+ Activism." Panelists Include: Charles Stephens, Dr. Beverley Guy-Sheftall and Lynn Cothren Event Date: Mar 17, 2021 1:00 PM About CNP: The Counter Narrative Project (CNP), shifts narratives about Black gay men to change policy and improve lives. Our organization is committed to working in coalition and solidarity with all racial and social justice movements. We stand in the tradition of organizers, writers, and visionaries such as Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin. Join Our Mailing List: https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Donate to CNP: https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnptribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe

1h 3m
02/28/2023

America's Hidden HIV Epidemic: A Conversation With Linda Villarosa

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), shifts narratives about Black gay men to change policy and improve lives. Our organization is committed to working in coalition and solidarity with all racial and social justice movements. We stand in the tradition of organizers, writers, and visionaries such as Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin. Join Our Mailing List: https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Donate to CNP: https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnptribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe

27 min
02/21/2023

Baldwin's Atlanta

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 his masterpiece "The Evidence of Things Not Seen." This conversation was taped on Aug 2, 2021. Panelists: Charles Stephens and Dr. Scott Heath About CNP: The Counter Narrative Project (CNP), shifts narratives about Black gay men to change policy and improve lives. Our organization is committed to working in coalition and solidarity with all racial and social justice movements. We stand in the tradition of organizers, writers, and visionaries such as Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin. Join Our Mailing List: https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Donate to CNP: https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnptribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe

1 hr
02/16/2023

A Conversation With Donnie

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 with his album The Colored Section. The American Mythology is described as "a colorful, epic narrative and inspiring soundtrack." This conversation was taped on June 20, 2016. Music: Cloud 9 (From The Colored Section) Protester (From The American Mythology) Olmec Save Us (NDATL Single) Playground (From The American Mythology) About CNP: The Counter Narrative Project (CNP), shifts narratives about Black gay men to change policy and improve lives. Our organization is committed to working in coalition and solidarity with all racial and social justice movements. We stand in the tradition of organizers, writers, and visionaries such as Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin. Join Our Mailing List: https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Donate to CNP: https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnptribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe

30 min
10/04/2022

A Fat, Black, Gay Superhero Has Come To Save Us: Alex Smith's 'Black Vans' is the Future

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 regarding body image and race. The article delves into Smith's journey from a teenage zine creator to a self-published comic artist. Black-owned comic stores can play a crucial role in distributing such inclusive comics. Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics owner Byron Canady discusses the importance of representation in comic book culture. Read the article: https://bit.ly/3fJ5OyF Watch the video: https://bit.ly/3ATMadU ✔ Join Our Mailing List ► https://bit.ly/joincnptribe Support CNP ✔ Donation ► https://www.thecounternarrative.org/donation Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok ✔ TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@cnptribe ✔ Twitter ► https://twitter.com/cnptribe ✔ Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/cnptribe ✔ Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/cnptribe ©2024 The Counter Narrative Project, All Rights Reserved

11 min
05/03/2022

A Mother’s Love: Honoring the Fierceness of Dorothy Beam on Mother’s Day

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 complete Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men (1991), a landmark text in Black LGBTQ+ literary history.

10 Episodes

The Reckoning Podcast is a podcast from CNP that features conversations old and new from the #CNPTribe about Blackness and liberation from all walks of life.

Creator

Counter Narrative Project
Years Active

2023 - 2025
Episodes

10
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Counter Narrative Project
Show Website

The Reckoning