Adodi Detroit Spring Retreat Celebrates Resilience and Brotherhood in the Face of Adversity
Detroit chapter leaders Chris Sutton and Wayne Moore on how thriving is a revolutionary act
In the heart of the renaissance city, a unique brotherhood is reclaiming its space. Adodi, an intergenerational organization supporting Black Same Gender Loving Men (BSGLM), is preparing for its spring retreat after a hiatus that stretched through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Founded in 1986 during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Adodi has long been a sanctuary for Black gay men seeking emotional support, community and healing. The organization's roots trace back to a critical moment in LGBTQ+ history, when activist Clifford Rawlins established a mutual support and educational space for Black gay men impacted by HIV/AIDS.
The Detroit chapter, established in 2010, continues to provide a rare space where vulnerability and authentic connection transcend societal expectations. Drawing from Yoruba traditions, the name Adodi itself carries deep meaning — representing men who love other men and embody both male and female natures, revered as shamans, sages and leaders.
The upcoming spring retreat, scheduled for April 11-13, carries the powerful theme "The Audacity to Thrive: An Adodi Detroit Renaissance." Below is an edited interview with Chris Sutton and Wayne Moore, leaders of the Detroit chapter.
The retreat is titled "The Audacity to Thrive: An Adodi Detroit Renaissance." Can you unpack the meaning behind this theme?
Wayne Moore: David Carter was mostly the architect of the theme. Detroit is the renaissance city — we're constantly reinventing ourselves. Since January 15th, there's been a palpable sense of unease in our community, with our current administration actively hostile to multiple groups. Thriving in spite of that is an audacious act.
We chose this theme because it speaks to resilience. It's about finding joy despite challenges, about community continuing to move forward even when external forces try to push us back. Detroit knows something about renewal, about rising again and again. For Black Same Gender Loving men, surviving — no, thriving — is itself a revolutionary act.
How does the Detroit chapter continue to honor Adodi's foundational principles?
Chris Sutton: Our chapter was founded in 2010 with a clear mission. Detroit is predominantly a Black city, and I've always yearned for spaces where Black men could be truly and authentically vulnerable. We provide an opportunity to pull away from hypermasculinity and avoid being hypersexualized.
What makes us unique is our commitment to genuine connection. In many LGBTQ+ spaces, interactions are often superficial — focused on appearance, status or sexual potential. Adodi is different. We're about seeing each other's full humanity. Our local chapter is essentially a microcosm of our national organization's vision: creating a non-judgmental village where Brothers can be their full, authentic selves.
Could you explain the six principles of Adodi in your own words?
Sutton: Our principles are our heartbeat. We start every gathering by acknowledging six core principles: being spiritually guided, practicing honesty and openness, showing sensitivity to feelings, care-fronting, seeking resolution and embodying the Five A's — Acknowledge, Appreciate, Affirm, Accept and Ache'.
It's about creating a space of radical care. We provide room for people from all walks of life to be themselves, offering deep understanding and support. I've shared things at Adodi retreats that I've never shared anywhere else, receiving support in a way I never thought possible. These aren't just words — they're a lived practice of community healing.
What can people expect if they attend the gathering?
Moore: It's a transformative celebration of brotherhood, community, safety and fun. We'll have workshops, talent sharing and meals, but what makes us unique is our approach. We provide a space where men — specifically Black gay men — can work through feelings, be vulnerable and supportive.
Imagine a gathering where emotional depth is the norm, not the exception. Where multiple generations of Black Same Gender Loving men come together not to compete, but to uplift each other. We create an environment of genuine intimacy that isn't about sexual tension, but about true human connection.
What would you tell someone hearing about Adodi for the first time?
Sutton: We're a cherished space where Black men can be emotionally and spiritually vulnerable without being hypersexualized or judged. In these challenging times, with ongoing collective trauma, Adodi offers a path to healing.
More than an organization, we're a brotherhood. We're a living testament to the power of community, of choosing care over competition, of finding strength in vulnerability.
The Adodi Spring Retreat will be held April 11-13. Registration is available at adodidetroit.org with limited spaces remaining. Those interested are encouraged to bring an open heart and a willingness to connect.
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