Meet Damon Percy | President, Black Bear Brotherhood; Author, Producer and Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Damon Percy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Damon, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Writing has always been my favorite thing to do and my goal as a career aspiration. When I realized how powerful words can be in making someone see differently, feel, or connect, I knew I was chosen to do that. Immersing myself in the arts, particularly my LGBT community, I realized that I could make changes by making art that mattered. I began as a publicist, then a writer for publications, and event planner. Now I run several organizations, including The Black Bear Brotherhood of Detroit, an organization for plus-size men of color. Using my voice in these creative avenues and constructs allows me to be free in myself and be inspiring for the audience who receive my work. I feel my artistic endeavors allow me to feel free and the creativity sustains my will to keep going.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a writer; I write articles that uplift the creatives of our community and I am the author of a poetry collection focusing on black-on-black SGL love, “Conversations With Love: A Poetic Journey.” What sets me apart is my ability to be vulnerable and authentic in my work, my work comes from my truth, my journey, and my experience. I am most excited about when people come to me and share how they felt reading a poem or hearing me speak. I am proud to have been able to continue to do this work for the last three decades and still enjoy it. I went to WSU for Journalism and graduated in 1996; I worked in the music industry for many years, while cultivating artistic endeavors for organizations in the LGBT community at the same time. Easy? No, in many cases I had to create my lane and ideas because as I was fostering a career, the art I wanted to see, I needed to create myself. I overcame those challenges by showing up in those rooms and making my voice heard. Hmmmm, always advocate for yourself; be passionate about your art; create all and everything that is in your mind to do. I want the world to know that I am a talented creative who has put the work in and deserves to be seen and heard. My story is that I am still here to tell the tale and make more moves. I am the browneyedscribe, that is my brand, a beautiful, out and proud, brown-eyed griot who wants to share beautiful words and art with the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Sunday brunch of course, we would probably go to the Hudson Cafe and then walk around Grand Circus Park and The Riverwalk to see how Detroit has evolved.
During the week, we would eat the Potato Place, Condado’s Tacos, Texas de Brazil, and go visit the Theatre District with the FOX, Little Caesar’s Arena, Comerica Park, and the Millenium.
Saturday would be a museum day, starting through the Detroit Historical Museum through the Detroit Institute of Arts to the Science Center and ending up with our culturally rich Charles H Wright Museum of African American History. The most interesting people are the ones you organically meet in these spaces, Detroit is a warm and friendly city. I would definitely slip over to Ferndale and hit Found Sound for some used music, SOHO,for drinks and Tigerlily for dinner.
I would find a good open mic spot and some house music at Spotlight.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Marvin K, White, author, minister and mentor. A person who has helped me see focus in my journey with my work and goals in the community and as a person.

Website: www,damonzpercy.com

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