OUR HISTORY

In December of 1999, a small group of concerned African American men explored the idea of starting a men's discussion group. They felt the need to effectively address the mental, physical and spiritual needs of African American men-particularly homosexual men of color.

Over the next two years, other like-minded men joined In The Meantime and helped to create a formal organizational structure. We began regular Tuesday night meetings in addition to hosting other special events. Several thousand men and women attended social, civic and charitable events organized by In The Meantime. The group also developed cross-cultural events in an effort to connect with other communities of various ethnic, racial, and sexual orientations. In The Meantime also developed and cultivated alliances within the faith-based communities.

In 2001, In The Meantime strengthened its promotional activities with a telephone hotline a presence on the internet, and by creating an organizational logo that combines the sun and a pyramid. These two powerful symbols were often used by ancient African people. They represent perfect balance, life, energy, healing, freedom, and the source of life. The same year saw In The Meantime develop as a California non-profit corporation, and created both an executive board and an advisory board.

In 2002, In The Meantime hosted its first men's retreat and launched an interactive website and chat line to allow men of color to share their experiences, perspectives, hopes and desires for healthier living.

In 2003 In The Meantime facilitated its first Wellness for Life Black Men’s Health Conference at the USC Davidson Conference Center. More than 100 black men shared in a day of education empowerment and brotherhood. This first year’s event was strongly supported by the strong women in our community. Our support comes form a range of sources that are at one with our purpose to provide quality services to Black men and ultimately our black community as a whole.

In 2004, In The Meantime developed and implemented the NIA Prevention Program specially designed to reduce the rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the Los Angeles black community through a series of educational empowerment sessions and ultimately HIV/AIDS testing.

In 2005 In The Meantime held to their commitment to begin the development and the implementation of a prevention and empowerment programming that would specifically target young African American MSM, Gay, and Bi-sexual men between the ages 18-29 in Los Angeles County. The first program developed is the My Life. My Style. Healthy Lifestyles Program. This collaboration between In The Meantime and APLA was conceptualized by In The Meantime to offer a more holistic approach to the overall wellness of young African American MSM in Los Angeles County.

In addition to the My Life. My Style. Project, In The Meantime developed the POWER Project, funded by the City Aids Coordinators Office, to offer 1-ON-1 peer counseling, group support, and interactive group sessions. These were developed to bring young MSM together to address the issues of self development and skill building, infused with HIV/AIDS education and awareness and with prevention strategies.

In 2006, through the efforts of the African American MSM task force (spearheaded by In The Meantime and other local service organizations) we were able to influence the local and state prevention planning groups to support a potent set of recommendations developed specifically to address the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS among African American MSM in SPA’s (Service Planning Areas) 4, 6, and 8. A direct result of the adopted recommendations is the Game Plan, an innovative demonstration project funded by the County Office of Aids Programs and Policy. The Game Plan will feature an outreach component, a series of focused 1-ON-1 sessions, and a community mobilization / intervention component that will focus on assessing risks and linking young men to services while empowering men to improve the quality of their lives.
In The Meantime initiated an educational empowerment billboard campaign that targets the larger AA community as well as to affirm and empower AA gay men.

IN THE MEANTIME MEN'S GROUP, INC. 2007 OVERVIEW

In 2007 In The Meantime, (ITMT) executed a series of community, political, youth and media awareness focused events and campaigns. This comprehensive effort brought us more mainstream exposure in the ongoing dialogue concerning sexuality, mental health, spirituality, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and safer sex practices.

Community
In order to tear down walls of homophobia and the many misunderstandings concerning “DL” or down-low men, ITMT participated in a number of women’s conferences in order to give an insightful voice, face and conversation into the lives of black gay and bisexual men.

Discussions held during these conferences touched upon many issues including how to interact with gay men, dating bisexual men, and negotiating safer sex practices.  The intent was to move women away from an area of hype and into an area of healing.

Political
As representatives and advocates at the County and State levels on the African-American MSM (Black Gay Men’s) Taskforce, ITMT continued to bring greater focus to the needs of gay and bisexual men which resulted in gaining increased funding in Los Angeles County for African American MSM in the areas of prevention and testing for 2008.

ITMT was present and proactively participated at the local HIV/AIDS Prevention Planning Group table to ensure that culturally competent, fully funded and extensive services are provided on the local level to Black MSM (Gay Men) in Los Angeles County.

ITMT continues to spearhead the Black Gay Men’s Taskforce (BGMT). The BGMT formally known as the African American MSM Taskforce is responsible for developing a potent set of recommendations that have been approved and adopted by the Prevention Planning Committee in Los Angeles and now help to shape the direction of prevention in Los Angeles County for Black gay men.

Youth
As part of ITMT’s youth initiative, the My Life My Style program continued to expand its scope by reaching further into black gay youth communities across Los Angeles County.  ITMT financially sponsored 3 house balls in 2007 and hosted over 5 major socially conscious events targeted towards 18-29 year old black gay men. 

Each event attracted over 250 men bringing in over 1,200 participants who were exposed to safer-sex education, HIV testing, mental health and linkage/referral services and programs. Please see www.mylifemystyle.net

In 2007 ITMT also created the South Los Angeles Crystal Meth Taskforce (SOLA Meth). Throughout the year significant effort was placed on public awareness, prevention and treatment of Black gay and bisexual men addicted to crystal meth. In 2008 the SOLA Meth Taskforce will continue to focus on prevention, awareness and education to the Black community with a specific focus on young Black gay men between the ages 18-29. Please see www.solameth.org

Media
Creating and disseminating positive and uplifting media images of black gay and bisexual men is a crucial component in overcoming homophobia, increasing HIV prevention efforts and awareness, and facilitating mental health among this target population. 

To that end, ITMT participated in several radio interviews and crafted radio public service announcements which focused upon empowering the lives of black gay and bisexual men.  The radio spots allowed callers the opportunity to pose questions and to receive answers on what life is like being a black gay or bisexual man in Los Angeles and in America.

In addition, ITMT hosted dozens of black gay artists who shared their personal stories of empowerment and entertainment. Going forward into 2008 there will be an expanded effort within the media arena.

Finally, in 2007 In The Meantime created a strategic plan that highlights 10 key areas of focus to be achieved over the next 5 years. This plan is included in the founder’s statement.

IN THE MEANTIME MEN'S GROUP, INC. 2009 OVERVIEW

In December of 2009 In The Meantime celebrated 10 years of focused community service to the Los Angeles community . In The Meantime presented its first medal of honor to its 2009 awardees. This milestone was marked by ITMT`s first anniversary celebration and combined fundraiser at Vintage Hollywood Private Club.Jewel ThaisWilliams was presented with ITMT`s Life Time Achievement Award. Like many of our community based organizations around the county ITMT also felt thte crunch of the economic downturn. Working closely with its leadership ITMT prevailed and entered 2010 a viable funded organization.

IN THE MEANTIME MEN'S GROUP, INC. 2008 OVERVIEW

In 2008 In The Meantime implemented a strategic plan that highlighted 10 key areas of focus to be achieved over the next 5 years. ITMT then created the SOLA Meth Taskforce (The South Los Angeles Crystal Meth Taskforce) whose goal was to educate the black community about the ills of Meth and other substances. ITMT was also instrumental in spearheading a set of potent recommendations and then shepherded them through the LA Prevention Planning Process that resulted in a substantial increase in the funding allocation for black gay men in Los Angeles County. ITMT subsequently conducted a series of focus groups that helped to shape the newly developed drop-in center space that now shares the grounds with the historic Catch One Disco, The Holistic Village Health Foundation Clinic, and the Vegan Village Vegetarian Restaurant.