A decade in, Native Son isn’t slowing down, it’s expanding.
The movement founded by media mogul Emil Wilbekin to celebrate and uplift Black queer men will mark its 10th anniversary with a weekend-long experience in New York City, anchored by its signature Native Son Awards on June 19, which is also Juneteenth. This year’s honorees reflect the breadth of Black queer creative excellence: director and producer Anthony Hemingway, Severance breakout Tramell Tillman, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr.
Lena Waithe, freshly appointed to Native Son’s board, will produce the evening, which carries the theme “A Legacy of Pride” and takes place at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers.
But the anniversary calls for more than one night. For the first time, Native Son is launching a full weekend of programming (June 19–21) centered around Native Son House, a takeover of The Maison Project event space packed with panels, screenings, performances, wellness activations, and marketplace experiences — a kind of cultural village built around Black queer visibility and community.
“What began as a bold idea has evolved into a powerful movement,” Wilbekin said in a statement to Hollywood Reporter, adding that the expansion reflects both the organization’s growth and an urgent political moment. “At a time when our communities continue to face growing attacks on visibility, equity and inclusion, this anniversary is not only a celebration of how far we’ve come, but a declaration that our stories, our voices and our futures matter.”
The ceremony will be livestreamed on Native Son’s YouTube and Facebook pages for those outside New York. Tickets are available at nativeson.us.