Our buddy Keith Boykin adds "entrepreneur" to his ever-expanding skill set: The New York Times best-selling author, activist and blogger now launches The Daily Voice, which dubs itself "Black America's Daily News Source."
Taking a cue from Arianna Huffington and her phenomenally successful Huffington Post, The Daily Voice fuses politics, pop culture, and, the arts and its roster of contributers reads like a who's who of Black America. The site launches with some heavy hitters, including out and former NBA player John Amaechi on the dilemma facing LGBT voters, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick amplifying his earlier endorsement for Barack Obama, as well as "Marcia Dyson
and Jacqueline Jackson, each of whom is taking a different position on
the presidential campaign than their famous spouses," Keith says. Just like we're one of the featured contributors at HuffPo, we're also joining the The Daily Voice team, so look for our byline in the coming days.
Boykin says the concept behind the The Daily Voice is "not a gay site. Or a straight site. But rather it's a place for all of us to come together in the African American community. Whether you're male or female, gay or straight, young or old, Republican or Democrat, we want to hear your voices. I see this as a space where Rev. Jesse Jackson may contribute one day and then Clarence Thomas the next. And you all know what I think about Clarence Thomas.
"Still, this new project is much bigger than me. It's about us, our community, our people coming together as one. This past weekend, as I watched the new Barack Obama music video, "Yes We Can," I suddenly felt inspired again. I remembered what it felt like to believe that anything is possible. I remembered what it felt like not to listen to the cynics and the naysayers. And I remembered the awesome power we have inside of us when we only dare but to dream."
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I checked our the site yesterday. The posts are very diverse as Mr. Boykin describes.
Rod, glad to see your name as a contributer!
Posted by: Chris | 05 February 2008 at 15:24
Oh great. Just what I need. Another blog I'll be obsessed with! Seriously, this is wonderful. All different voices and opinions all together.
Posted by: Dluv | 05 February 2008 at 16:44
You know I have no problems with this...for real....but I just hate it when people try to insult my intelligence. I mean the very notion that KEITH has gone from having a gay oriented website to a website that "welcomes gays" sounds very sanitized to me. I mean if you out to make some money and fame for yourself....which if I based upon his past track record is correct...this is pretty much likely why Keith is doing so. And it's totally okay to be selfish....but don't try to pass it off as this BROADER COMMUNITY crap. There are plenty of other great BLACK AMERICA oriented websites out there. I like coming to a place where I can just read up on issues relevant to BLACK GAY MEN...hint hint@ROD. My my my...what will our little Keith do now with all the pretty little pictures of himself he used to have up on his site. I guess he'll stash them on his myspace page.
Posted by: ALLEGRO | 06 February 2008 at 09:25
He's ... interesting. He's done a lot for our community. I'm not sure what I think about this, since one of the things he said about dropping the other blog was that he was tired and wanted a break. Folks change their minds on the regular so it is no biggie I guess. I'm not a big blog guy personally ... this is the only one I really make a point to read each and everyday because it's very newsy. I just don't like the cattiness of many of the others. Rod brings his shit straight and on point and I like that. But if this makes Mr. Boykin happy I say more power to him!
Posted by: Me | 06 February 2008 at 14:05
I thought we were finally finished with this media-whore! I have to say I began as an avid reader of his blog a few years ago, and over that time watched it deteriorate into utter useless nonsense. Case-in-point, all the screaming over he and his partners less than stellar movie "Dirty Laundry". The truth is Mr. Boykin has used the black, gay community to promote himself under the guise of helping others. Sadly, he is just a tired, old, queen who can't accept the fact that he is no longer relevant.
Don't believe me? How about this from his bio, "attended law school with US Senator Barack Obama". Really, did Senator Obama even know you? And this has relevance to you, and more importantly, to your readers, how? Talk about pathetic!
Anyway, all the best to him in his new self promotion project. I'll stick with worthwhile blogs like this one.
Posted by: nuneuro | 06 February 2008 at 21:08
Ouch.
Posted by: nOva | 06 February 2008 at 23:49
Double ouch
Posted by: Dluv | 07 February 2008 at 19:09
Triple ouch, there are some mighty bitter folks out there, who need thier own blogs, since, they can't find one that fits thier unique needs.
Posted by: Luther | 08 February 2008 at 09:15
I read the angry comments and I continue to read for substantial evidence that Keith hasn't done anything for the BLACK GAY community or the GAY BLACK community for those of you who say you want something for both of your identities. I think some of you just want gay.
The website is a unifying tool for everyone in Black communities in it's broadest sense. No, it isn't for everyone but if you look at the contributors it has already started with the unifying piece considering it is so diverse in regards to sexual orientation, age, and gender.
To think, we fight to be black and we fight to be gay but yet we continue to throw stones at one another. And, everyone has some type of self gain in their endeavors but we still help others along the way.
So please, continue to rant but the fact of the matter is, the website is already gaining an audience hence the comments and the website numbers already. So, for the blogs that have been here for years giving you want you want, well, others are taking what they want from thedaily(fucking)voice.com
Posted by: latecommenter | 08 February 2008 at 13:43
latecommenter, I miss the old Boykin board, as it felt like a place, you could be black and gay and proud and speak your mind, and, not have to worry about dealing with the racists who flock to other gay sites and spew. But, the new site has been very informaitve for the election, and, I've enjoyed it, will I after the election, don't know, as I like black gay sites to follow things that affect me as a black gay man.
I applaud Keith for trying something new, its change that makes the world go around, and, keeps you alive.
Posted by: Luther | 08 February 2008 at 16:41