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“Okay, let’s get real.” We all deserve a moment to celebrate ourselves for what we’ve accomplished, small or large. No matter what it is, be proud of it. Be proud of achieving it, and be proud of yourself. You deserve it. Creator @dcaffgotem also realized that he deserves to be proud, which is what brought us here today. 📸: @triple7collective Tap into the full article, video, and podcast directly at the link in our bio to learn more about his journey 🤎

platform for me, by me. link in bio. (p.s. it looks better on the desktop) 📸: @fuhrell @fuhrellfotos . It took me a while to get it together, but it’s finally here. People always tell me that I’m doing a lot, and even though I may feel it some days, I’ve never seen it all in one place outside my mind. . Since getting websites created is so expensive, I decided to do it myself to try out another skill. . This is a place for all of me, to be who I am. You can now find out all about my professional life, creative world, and even connect to work together on MY website. . I’m excited to let everyone in a little, and even more to see where this may take me. . Cheers to new beginnings 💫 . If you’ve seen it, what’s your favorite section?

👊🏾 BLK N Out Spotlight 🌈 Meet Darius Caffey, the inspiring CEO and founder of The Closet Unlocked (@dcaffgotem / @closetunlockd ). Driven by the need to create a platform for the Black LGBTQIA+ community, Darius reshapes the narrative and highlights talented, underrepresented creatives. He shares his journey, the challenges of funding, and his vision for a thriving, joyous Black queer community. His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? "Start where you are; use what you have; do what you can." Swipe to read more about Darius’s story and his impactful work! #BLKNOut #BlackQueerExcellence #PrideMonth #QueerEntrepreneurs #BlackLGBTQ #CommunitySpotlight #Inspiration #BlackQueerJoy #SupportBlackBusinesses #TheClosetUnlocked

30 Under 30 Award Winnerrrr 🏆 Life is so crazy sometimes, but for it ALL, I’m grateful. Who knew that this 29yo black gay kid from the south side of Chicago battling anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, and grief would be doing things to receive this honor? I sure as hell didn’t, but my community did. I want to thank everyone that nominated me for this award, everyone that has poured into me and taught me how to be a better version of myself, everyone that continues to support me in all the things I choose to do, and especially those who just show up for me in the smallest ways; the ones that see me, listen to me, affirm me, and uplift me — I love y’all fr, and honestly, I couldn’t imagine doing any of this without your love. That support means the world to me 🫶🏾 and I hope you feel it back x10. So, to my protective family, dearest friends, inspirational mentors, and my forever partner — thank y’all for loving me, through and through. After a 5 year hiatus, @windycitytimes returned this year to honor remarkable individuals who have made substantial contributions to the LGBTQ+ community across various fields, including entertainment, politics, health, activism, academics, sports, and more. It’s a privilege to be recognized amongst so many great leaders of today for the work we each do. And I’m so so grateful that I get to do it with organizations that I care deeply about @closetunlockd @black_alphabet @cantvchicago @nobodysdarlingbar @grdngrwn @maisonmogulconsulting thank you for sharing space with me and allowing this Black Gay Man to shine. The opportunities that y’all are creating are changing the world, and I’m thankful to be able to do it with you. ❤️ Let’s keep growing! Happy #Pride ! 🌈 Event Sponsors: @aidsfoundationchicago @linkedin @center_on_halsted @equalityill @chicagomuseum @fifththirdbank Pride Action Tank, Monarq Advisors, and Geof/Joshua Brown

7 Years of Choosing You 👨🏾‍🤝‍👨🏽 Happy Anniversary to the love of my life 💙 You continue to show me how much I’m worth loving and never cease to amaze me with how much you do. I couldn’t have imagined, dreamed, or built a better person to share my life with, and I’m glad that I get to do it with you. I’m grateful for you, I’m grateful for us, I’m grateful for our support system, and most importantly, I’m grateful for everything that we get to build together. This world is so much better with you in it, and to be honest, so am I. Thank you for being my best friend, my partner in crime, cuddy buddy, and everything in between! I love you babe; I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us 🥰 🎥: @closetunlockd @cantvchicago

TikTok Throwback

9 months ago I decided to do a thing… I quit my job. My family was confused, my friends were concerned, and quite honestly, I was scared… but I knew it was time for a change. I had spent so much of my career giving to others, I never took the chance to think about what it was I needed. And I grew tired of that. So, I pivoted… because I knew that it was time to change my story. Now I’m still figuring this entrepreneur life out, one struggle and success at a time. But I’m growing, I’m learning, I’m blessed. And above all else, I’m glad I bet on myself. (Sidenote: my colleague friends @carolinedkerr & @adoredabyrd got me this Lemon Bush Eucalyptus plant as a going away gift, and I use it as a reminder of how much I’ve grown since taking that scary leap — thanks y’all 🫶🏾. Here’s an update of where we are 9 months later, what y’all think?) #plants

Taking our wins with our losses 🏆 We’re happy to announce that @closetunlockd ’s CEO @dcaffgotem recently won 3rd place in the 2024 OUT-Pitch Competition sponsored by @jpmorganchase After completing an intensive 10-week business bootcamp hosted by @thewynnersclub and @lgbtccillinois , our team joined a cohort of 8 other amazing LGBTQ owned and operated businesses in building foundation to get investor ready 💰 A special s/o to BIT and a HUGE congratulations to our fellow winners @secondglancepro and @greymatterphoto 🙌🏾 we worked hard y’all! This experience has moved our business forward in ways that we can’t even describe and we’re so grateful for it! Thank you to everyone that has supported us on this journey; we couldn’t imagine a better family ❤️ 📸: @moorcroftphotog Event Sponsors: @morganartscomplex @cateredbydesign @lynfredwinery @molsoncoors @tristarcatering @vilivingjobs @allstate @barilla @byline_bank @cbdkratom_ @comcast @doordash @lifeatfhlbc @chicagofed @fifththirdbank @icandee_apparel @wipflicareers @thecauldronchicago @nicorgas @nplconstructionco @obamafoundation @statefarm @usbank @walgreens @westerngovernorsu @wintrust

Testing out new headshots.. I’m in a space where I’m transitioning a lot, especially professionally. And of course when doing new things, you need a new image to capture you, right? Also, my niece twisted my hair. So yay for supporting Black Women owned businesses 🙌🏾 📸: @moorcroftphotog

I started my modeling journey 10 years ago as a way to push myself to start doing things that I’ve always dreamed of… And here I am, 10 years later, still going after the things that I’ve always dreamed of (and some new ones), making strides towards them every day. A lot of days it’s fun, and a lot of days I be reminding myself not to be stressed because greater is coming, but honestly, you just gotta feel the energy and go where it takes you. Here’s a recent headshot opportunity turned photo shoot that I did on a day when I was feeling great energy wise. However, more importantly, it was a chance for me to keep chasing my dreams, and using every moment that I have to do so. Go chase yours 💫 📸: @greymatterphoto // @eyeamnikkib

Life lately… I’m sure it’s because I’m in the last year of my 20’s but shit is starting to feel different. I’ve definitely been in a period of transition, and change, and grieving, and growth, and challenges these past few years, but I feel like something else is coming. This year is already planned out to be another amazing crazy ride with what I want to do and how I’m trying to hold myself accountable, but whew — I’m not really sure what’s going on. I’m staying positive, being optimistic, and leaning on faith to carry me through the year. It just gets weird sometimes, and I guess that’s okay. It means I’m uncomfortable, but that’s where true growth happens. One day, one thing, one moment at a time.