Thanks to the generosity of longtime community and Center advocate Anita May Rosenstein, February’s Highly Loved was not only a space for healing but also a vital relief effort for those affected by the Eaton Fire. With Rosentstein’s support, more than 100 wildfire relief kits—filled with personal care essentials, backup power units, and protective gear—were distributed to those in need.
A reimagining of Highly Favored, the Center’s annual Black History Month celebration, Highly Loved was conceived in response to the January wildfires that ravaged much of LA, including the historic African American enclave in Altadena. More than just a gathering, it was a sanctuary—an intentional space where attendees could pause, breathe, and be held by community.
In a time marked by rising anti-LGBTQ+ animosity and devastating natural disasters, finding moments of rest, mindfulness, and joy is not just an act of self-care—it’s a necessity. These priorities were the driving force behind Highly Loved, designed to offer queer Black Angelenos a space for healing and restoration.
“Attention is care,” said Giovanna Fischer, the Center’s Chief Equity Officer. “In a time with so much going on in the world and our community, we felt it important to create a space for our neighbors to care for themselves.”
Held at The Works in Pasadena, the event featured a wealth of self-restoration activities, including massages, acupuncture, makeup and skincare services, and a group meditation and sound bath. Every service was provided by Black-owned LA businesses, reinforcing the event’s mission of community uplift. Guests were also treated to a Caribbean American lunch catered by Bridgetown Roti, adding another layer of cultural nourishment.
For many, the event was a much-needed refuge. “After what happened in Altadena, this historically Black enclave, coming out to the community felt like the move at the moment,” said Dr. Maisha Davis, the Center’s Medical Director of Community Medicine. “This is what I need. I need sunshine; I need softness. I need things that are going to tell my nervous system, you’re safe.”
As the day came to a close, attendees left not just with refreshed bodies but with spirits lifted by the power of community. In a world that too often demands resilience, Highly Loved was a reminder that rest, care, and joy are also revolutionary—and that Black queer Angelenos deserve them in abundance.
“I feel seen,” said Blu Nyle, an attendee whose home is just a few miles from one of the fire sites. “I feel happy to be Black, to be queer. I feel hopeful.”
Highly Loved was made possible thanks to our partners, Terrell Brooke, Reparations Club, Bridgetown Roti, Black Being, Portia of Deeper Genius Acupuncture, and Erikka Valdez of Touched by Design Massage Therapy.
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