Keeping it 100

Keeping it 100, or K1 for short, is a peer discussion group for African, Caribbean, and Black queer men and trans and non-binary folks.

We always Keep It 100 (K1) when we're together!

Once a month we come together for our version of a black family cookout, sharing space and good food from within the African diaspora. K1 serves as a safe space by black queer folks, for black queer folks, giving us the opportunity to share our experiences and culture. With each K1 meeting we explore various aspects of life, covering topics like Sex, Friends & Family, Education and Work. 

We embrace the complexity of blackness and how it is expressed with our end of year celebration called Black Queer Excellence (BQE) - A black queer party that celebrates our cultures and identities! Stay tuned for more details.

Sign-up Form

Want to sign up to participate in Keeping it 100? Please fill out the form below with your name and email address. For more information, please email a.wilson@maxottawa.ca

Program information

When does K1 meet?

K1 typically meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in person at the MAX office.

What is the goal of K1?

K1’s goal is to provide a welcoming environment to talk about issues that affect Black queer men, non-binary, and trans people.

Who is welcome to attend?

K1 is open to any Black cis, transgender, or non-binary person who identifies as gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, or other same-gender-loving identities. 

While we centre masculine perspectives, Black women and femme folks are always welcome to join our discussion. 

We use Black to be inclusive of African, Caribbean, Black, Afro-Latino, Afro-Indigenous, biracial, mixed race, and other members of the African diaspora. 

At K1, we can bring our whole selves, meet new people, and discover ways to take care of ourselves.

What happens at K1?

We talk, share, laugh, and learn from guest facilitators and speakers and amongst ourselves. We cover a wide range of rotating topics in a group-led discussion. Topics are decided upon by the group.

How to Join K1?

New members are always welcome. We know that it can be challenging to attend something for the first time, but we make every effort to make people feel welcome and appreciated. 

Want to sign up to participate in Keeping it 100? Please fill out the form below with your name and email address. For more information, please email a.wilson@maxottawa.ca.

Is K1 only in English?

K1 is primarily led in English, although many people who attend are bilingual or Francophone. We welcome people to express themselves in their language of choice and we translate amongst ourselves. 

 

If you’d be interested in facilitating in French, don’t hesitate to reach out to a.wilson@maxottawa.ca

When did K1 start?

It was started in 2016 by Black gay and queer men who wanted a regular day and time to talk and learn amongst themselves. It was a pilot project that has become a regular part of MAX programming.