August 7, 2018

The Journey of Abdur-Rahim Briggs

It was 21 years ago I learned in the summer of 1997 that my identical twin brother, Mark Briggs, was HIV positive​. At first I was shocked​, then I was spurred to act.

In 1999 I started a fundraiser in in my backyard for HIV/AIDS causes called the White Attire Affair (now rebranded as Xscape//White:SkyFall), with attendees dressing in white. It attracted some 150 people and raised $500 to $600.

It was the first foray into philanthropy for me, in my h​a​y day I was a track star at California State University at Bakersfield, I graduated with a Sociology degree in 1991, and today I work as a Records Management Specialist and Website Content Manager for the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, which regulates utilities.

I have since started two nonprofit organizations, including a new one called Project Briggs, Inc. that, using my fundraising and social media skills, is designed to help our partners raise money for and spread awareness of a broad range of urban causes in the Greater Washington, D.C., area. A lot of times people are thrust into things they never thought they’d be thrust into, that’s what happened to me.

FROM SOUTH CENTRAL LOS ANGELES TO D.C.

I grew up with five brothers in South Central Los Angeles. My father, Raymond Briggs, Sr., owned a printing company and my mother, Hazel Jean Davis, was a receptionist for what is now LAC+USC Medical Center. My strong mother and my interest in school kept me out of the trouble many neighborhood kids get into. Yes, South Central had its issues, drugs and gangs. But I was so into school I was kind of oblivious to it all. I was student body president, I was running track and field, I was in the marching band. I did everything that a lot of kids that don’t get in trouble did.

My mother also stressed the importance of higher education. And so off to California State University, Bakersfield I was after graduating from Centennial Senior High School, thanks to connections my high school track coach had with legendary Roadrunner coach Charles Craig.

While studying sociology, I ran track and worked 20 hours a week for the University Police Department to earn money for housing (he roomed with Mark Briggs, my identical twin brother) and books. I lettered four consecutive years, becoming an All-American my senior year. I also competed in the men’s 400 meters, 800 meters and both 4X100 and 4X400 relay teams. I earned All-American Track & Field honor by placing sixth in the 4X400 men’s relay race at nationals in 1990. Becoming an All-American was one of two goals I had set for myself when I entered CSUB, the other being earning my college degree.

Three years after graduation, in 1994 I moved to Washington, D.C., and embarked on my philanthropic path. My first White Attire Affair back in 1999 raised money for Us Helping Us People into Living, which seeks to improve the health and well-being of black gay or bisexual men, including reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS in the black community. This was way before I knew how to put together a nonprofit. I was doing what I knew at the time, which is to raise money. In 2002 I created the Ummah Endowment Fund and in 2008 formed another nonprofit called Al Sura that raised money for HIV/AIDS causes. I estimate the two efforts have produced more than $150,000 in grants, products and services over the last 16 years combined. With Project Briggs, Inc. (formed in November 2016) I’ll have a platform to address a broader range of issues here in the Greater Washington D.C. area.

I didn’t want to be wedded to a specific cause. I want to make sure our mission is very broad and somewhat vague because a lot of times if you just say, ‘I do breast cancer’ or ‘I do this’, you’re wedded to that cause. I want us to work on different projects. Although Project Briggs, Inc. doesn’t provide direct services,our goal is to use our social media platforms, website and fundraising skills as tools to help other organizations get their message out and raise money.

Project Briggs, Inc. represents an opportunity to address larger scopes of philanthropic advocacy within our diverse community. As we enter a new era, this  organization will engage and promote and assist a wide range of urban projects  across various diverse communities within the Greater Washington, D.C. area and beyond, via social marketing events.

Project Briggs, Inc. has utilized its tools to help with toiletry drives for an organization called Casa Ruby that assists LGBT/transgender people in the D.C. area and a fundraising ball put on by a nonprofit called The Gentlemen’s Foundation in Atlanta that supports the same community there. During the holidays one of Project Briggs, Inc, initiatives called “Holiday Project – Suicide Awareness” puts out information on how to recognize signs of depression and suicidal thoughts. In January Project Briggs, Inc. launched its first of what’s expected to be an annual fundraising event called POWER—Noir et Blanc Soiree and is looking forward to reboot the White Attire Affair this summer now rebranded Xscape//White: SkyFall scheduled for Saturday, July 28th.

CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY

It wasn’t easy growing up black and gay in South Central Los Angeles, especially as a member of the socially conservative black church. (I later converted to Sunni Islam). I feared discrimination and isolation, keeping  from publicly revealing my orientation until after college.

I was helped by a mother who strongly supported my dreams and only expected her children to be productive citizens and to give back to their community. I had role models and family members who embraced me for who I was.

I made a conscience decision to be myself and steer my own destiny. I’ve never had a ‘woe is me’ moment. I always believe I can do whatever I want.  I’ve never made an excuse. If I were heterosexual, I’d still have hurdles. You just have to decide for yourself what you want to do. I choose to be happy. I choose to be successful. That’s my choice. Washington, D.C., has been a great fit for me in part because of its large LGBTQ community. I’ve been a Washingtonian for nearly 25 years and I love D.C.! I served on the LGBTQ Advisory Committee of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, which looks for innovative ways to address issues facing the community.

This past spring I testified before the D.C. Council about a rise in crime against gay and transgender residents and how to combat it. In the fall I’ll be reappointed as a Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office on African-American Affairs. I’m really glad that our mayor is such a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community. I’m glad to be in an environment where you can be who you are and a productive citizen at the same time.