On October 1st, GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, held a reception to celebrate the opening of Nemesis: Remember.
This was a visual art exhibition featuring original works by members of the Equity in Media and Entertainment Initiative (EMEI) 2025-2026 cohort. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the recap.
The exhibition, presented by Gilead Sciences and with support from Publicis Groupe as contributing sponsor, is open through October 4, 2026 at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art in New York.
Nemesis: Remember is the first-ever exhibition for EMEI since the initiative launched in 2022 and celebrates the bold creativity, storytelling, and cultural impact of 10 Black Queer visual artists. The initiative also examines the role of creative storytelling and cultural platforms in addressing HIV, challenging stigma, and advancing greater understanding.
To kick off the weeklong showcase, the Artist Preview, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, centered on direct connections, a walk through the gallery to hear from the artists, and a focused exchange where mentors shared what they’ve learned navigating their own careers. The mentors featured during the Artist Preview included Brandon Garrett, Impact & Equity Leader, Publicis Groupe, David Everitt Howe, Senior Arts Editor, Pioneer Works, Donja R. Love, Playwright / Founder of Write It Out! (WIO), and Chloe Ming, Assistant Curator & Exhibitions Manager, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art.
“The pieces created by this cohort are breathtaking! While centering the lived experiences of Black and Brown identities, each piece tells a distinctive story of mental health, grief, intimacy and emotional detachment. Stories that remind viewers to never forget the journey they’ve experienced thus far; to always remember. This exhibition connects art, community, and HIV advocacy to expand visibility in how our stories are told and received. Paving the way for visual artists far and wide to stand tall in their purpose. I’m so proud of this cohort and the incredible programming team,” said Julian J. Walker, GLAAD’s Associate Director of Community and Media.
Nemesis: Remember is curated by Damon Epps and serves as the culminating showcase for cohort members, featuring work created throughout their fellowship and providing a platform for their artistic voices across mediums celebrating power, presence, and authentic queer representation. 2025-2026 cohort members whose work is featured in the exhibition include BCIMANARTIST (Darian Stewart), BE3K (Anthony Badon), Devin Wesley, Jah Beverly (Jamin Guinyard), Jose Duran, Kiera Rahming-Reed, Modest Art 88 (Russell L. Scott), Ryan C. Hamilton, Travion Payne, and Zakari Yonkers. Sponsors for the Exhibition include Gilead Sciences and Publicis Groupe.
“It was a privilege to work with these incredible artists and with this program for the 2nd year. Creating the framework for this group show helped tell a collective story where the artists’ works played off of and supported each other. Black Queer creativity is most impactful to me when emphasizing themes of community. A resilient community that will have a voice no matter the circumstances and tasking all that encounter it to remember our stories. This show was a physical manifestation of that idea.”said Damon Epps.
Background on GLAAD
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
