News & Views
Latest News & Stories About Our Work
The Commercial Appeal Memphis features the Co-Founders of Relationship Unleashed on the Front Page of Memphis, TN News Coverage
April 24, 2021 Memphis, Tennessee
In 2014, the mother and son duo didn’t see many Black-led organizations supporting the LGBTQ population in Memphis.
So, they decided to start their own.
Today, Gwendolyn Clemons and Davin Clemons continue to run Relationships Unleashed, a nonprofit that seeks “to create social, cultural, and professional equity for members of the Black LGBTQ + community.”
And last week, the mother and son were honored by GLAAD Media Awards for their organization’s work to end HIV in Memphis.
“We were lacking Black-led organizations bringing awareness to healthy relationship practices, the devastating effects of HIV and the meaningful messages concerning health and wellness and holistic therapy,” Davin Clemons said. “So if you’re missing something, you have to create it.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Relationships Unleashed was able to provide rent and utility assistance to more than 75 people living with HIV in Tennessee through a grant from the Compass Initiative.
Black women are building movements in Memphis. MLK50: Justice Through Journalism is spotlighting women whose names may not be easily recognizable but who are forces in the fight for voting rights, access to health care, criminal justice reform and other critical issues. Gwendolyn Clemons is the fifth of six women in our series, “Unsung, Unbowed, Unstoppable,” who are being profiled over three months, all nominated by their peers and our staff.
May 21, 2021 by Celeste Williams
Before, she hid her identity. Now, she’s proudly queer, working to empower the LGBTQ community
Meet Gwendolyn Clemons of Relationships Unleashed, and MLK50’s latest “Unsung, Unbowed, Unstoppable” honoree
Congratulations to
Dr. Davin D. Clemons & Gwendolyn D. Clemons
For Being Selected to the POZ Magazine 100 Black Advocates
32nd Annual GLAAD Awards
May 05, 2019
The Advocate Magazine honors The Clemonses as the Tennessee Champions of Pride for their advocacy work.
The Advocate’s Champions of Pride is an annual list of activists, artists, politicians, influencers, and everyday people who are carrying on Stonewall’s spirit of rebellion in communities across the country. Editors selected change makers from each U.S. state in order to spotlight those who are advancing equality for LGBTQ and intersectional groups on the ground and inspiring others to do the same.
These Champions honor the grassroots history, present, and future of the movement. Read their stories below.
USA Today Conducts interview with Davin & Gwen Clemons about Community involvement
January 12, 2019
"We're able to have a media platform and educate people," she said. "We have had people call (the radio show) and say, 'Hey, can you describe what you mean by pansexual?' and hang up. We say we have three equal principles: education, empowerment and enrichment. . . One big barrier between prejudices and stigmas and biases is education about you.
TriState Black Pride Educates and Uplifts local Black LGBTQ Community
June 13-17 2019
Memphis, TN – June 7, 2019 – The Cathedral Foundation and The Black LGBT Convention present the 3rd Annual Tri-State Pride Weekend, taking place in Memphis, TN from June 13-16, 2019. This year’s theme is Moving the Margins: The Time Is Now! Scheduled events include cocktails and dinner followed by an opening ceremony at the National Civil Rights Museum, Draggin’ You to Brunch hosted by Miss Sophia, Pool Party, Nightly events at Luxx Night Club, a co-ed basketball tournament sponsored by NIKE, a job fair, and more.
Dr. Davin Clemons, co-founder of Tri-State Black Pride, speaks about his motivation in launching Memphis' official black pride gathering. Clemons is also co-founder of Cathedral of Praise Church of Memphis as well as The Unleashed Voice magazine, a news outlet for the local black LGBTQ community.
