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Depressed Black Gay Men (DBGM) Inc
New York, NY · EIN 462047635 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE R26 · Civil Rights & Advocacy · Small ($100K-$1M) · dbgm.org
revenue
$101K
expenses
$102K
net assets
$8K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

To provide mental helalth awareness for suicide prevention in Black gay/same-gender loving men and wider LBGQIA+ community

profile · synthesized from sources

Depressed Black Gay Men (DBGM) Inc is a New York-based nonprofit organization focused on mental health awareness and suicide prevention within Black gay/same-gender loving (SGL) men and broader LGBTQIA+ communities of color. The organization uses documentary film, community forums, conferences, and culturally grounded healing programs to address stigma, promote self-acceptance, and advance mental health equity. It also provides continuing education for mental health professionals and fosters ancestral and community-based healing models.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Ancestral Institute
Initiative reconnecting Indigenous, Black, and People of Color with traditional healing practices, integrating them with contemporary psychology to create culturally relevant mental health care models
I Am Working On Healing
Community healing program with two subgroups: "Sons" for gay/SGL men of color struggling with maternal non-acceptance, and "HER" for mothers of color who lost sons to HIV/AIDS or suicide
In My Mind Conference
Annual mental health conference for LGBTQIA+/SGL Black and People of Color, bringing together clinicians, academics, advocates, and community members to discuss mental health issues and solutions
Mental Health Awareness Workshops
Community-based workshops in NYC and Guyana addressing mental health stigma and providing education, particularly for LGBTQIA+/SGL communities of color
You Are Not Alone - The Film
Documentary featuring Black gay men sharing personal stories of depression, survival, and healing; used to break stigma and foster dialogue around mental health in Black communities
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Mental Health Education and Awareness 3 activities
    • Annual In My Mind LGBTQ+ People of Color Mental Health Conference
      Organizes the annual In My Mind (IMM) Conference, a multi-day hybrid event since 2014 that convenes mental health consumers, clinicians, students, and academics to discuss mental health issues affecting LGBTQ+ and same-gender loving people of color. The conference includes keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, performances, and exhibitions, with pre-conference networking events such as "Together We Are @ The Table."
    • Mental health awareness workshops and stigma reduction programming
      Conducts community-based mental health awareness workshops in New York City and Guyana to reduce stigma and facilitate open conversations about mental health in Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Creates safe spaces for individuals to seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination.
    • Resource curation for LGBTQ+ mental health access
      Compiles and shares lists of mental health organizations and providers to improve access to culturally competent care for LGBT individuals.
  • Professional Training and Certification in Mental Health 1 activity
    • Continuing education for mental health professionals
      Approved by New York State as a provider of continuing education units (CEUs) for licensed social workers and mental health counselors, offering training focused on culturally responsive care for LGBTQ+ and people of color communities.
  • Documentary Film Production 1 activity
    • Documentary production and storytelling for mental health advocacy
      Produces and distributes documentaries such as "You Are Not Alone" featuring personal narratives of Black gay men on depression, suicidal ideation, and recovery. Uses storytelling to reduce isolation, provide hope, and raise awareness about mental health challenges within the community.
  • Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
    • Mental health support groups for Black gay and same-gender loving men and their families
      Facilitates the "I Am Working On Healing" program, which includes the SONS support group for gay and same-gender loving men of color exploring self-acceptance and maternal relationships, and the HER support group for mothers and mother-like figures of color who have lost sons to HIV/AIDS, suicide, homicide, or police violence. Services are provided at no cost and facilitated by licensed mental health professionals of color.
  • LGBTQ+ Community Events and Celebrations 1 activity
    • Virtual forums and summits for LGBTQ+ people of color
      Hosts virtual forums and summits, including a 12-week online program during the pandemic and a six-week 2021 virtual summit titled “LGBTQIA+ Black and Peoples of Color in the Global South,” to foster community, share experiences, and advocate for change among LGBTQ+ people of color globally.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Ancestral Institute for integrative healing practices
      Operates the Ancestral Institute, launched in 2022, which integrates ancestral and traditional healing practices with contemporary psychology for Indigenous, Black, and people of color communities. Hosts annual in-person and online sessions, including co-organized events with the African-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Low Country Gullah Geechee Chapter, and offered in connection with the In My Mind Conference.
    • Community-centered research on Black gay and SGL men's experiences
      Partners with the Franz Fanon Lab at Queens College, CUNY on a data-driven, community-centered art and research project documenting the lived experiences of same-gender loving and Black gay men.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$101K
Contributions & grants$101K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$102K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$8K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$8K
5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue +57.6%
relationships · 12

Who they work with

  • African-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Low Country Gullah Geechee Chapter Partner — Collaborated with DBGM to organize the Ancestral Institute-2026 in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Franz Fanon Lab at Queens College, CUNY Partner — Lead collaborator on community-centered, data-driven art and research project based on Same-Gender Loving/Black gay men.
  • GMAD Partner — Hosts the Sons support group at its Brooklyn office.
  • In My Mind (IMM) LGBTQ+ People of Color Mental Health Conference Partner — Collaborative initiative linked to the annual IMM conference, serving as a foundation for the Ancestral Institute.
  • In My Mind Conference Partner — Annual conference launched by DBGM to address mental health in LGBTQ+ people of color.
  • James Beard Foundation Partner — Partnered with DBGM during the COVID-19 pandemic for a virtual Pre-Thanksgiving cooking show and discussion featuring diverse chefs and healthy foods for LGBTQ+ communities of color.
  • New York State Education Department Government — Recognized as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers and mental health counselors.
  • Representatives from participating countries Partner — Collaborated with regional representatives to organize and lead programming for the summit.
  • Rutgers University Partner — Hosted the first-ever LGBT Peoples of Color Mental Health Summit at Rutgers University, Newark Campus in 2014.
  • Stanley Bennett Clay Partner — Writer and director whose creative work was integral to the production of the documentary "You Are Not Alone".
  • Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Partner — Lectured on mental health and HIV in Black gay men to medical students at Touro College’s Harlem campus since 2012.
  • Twitter Partner — Hosted the 2019 In My Mind Conference 5th Anniversary Awards and Reception at its NYC offices.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Based Stigma Reduction Through Normalization
    methodology: stigma-reduction_through_normalization
    By normalizing mental health conversations within Black communities through grassroots engagement and everyday language, the organization reduces stigma because framing mental health as routine increases openness and help-seeking behavior.
  • Culturally Specific Mental Health Outreach
    methodology: culturally-specific mental health outreach
    By focusing outreach and education on the unique cultural context of Black gay and same-gender loving men, the organization reduces mental health disparities and prevents suicide because culturally resonant messaging increases engagement and trust in services.
  • Family and Intergenerational Reconciliation as Mental Health Intervention
    methodology: family_acceptance_therapy
    By addressing historical family rejection and strengthening the mother-son bond, the organization improves mental health outcomes because familial acceptance is a critical determinant of self-acceptance and emotional well-being among gay and same-gender loving men of color.
  • Healing Through Community Storytelling and Shared Narrative
    methodology: storytelling-for-healing
    By creating safe spaces for storytelling and shared grief among Black gay men and their families, the organization promotes healing because narrative expression breaks silence, reduces isolation, and fosters collective resilience.
  • Integration of Ancestral and Contemporary Healing Practices
    methodology: ancestral-integrated mental health care
    By combining traditional, ancestral healing methods with modern psychological frameworks, the organization creates culturally congruent mental health care because blending these systems increases relevance, trust, and effectiveness for Black and people of color communities.