Miles Perry is a vivacious young man who has his hands in many things LGBTQ+ and health and wellness related. Originally from Rochester, N.Y., Perry has been a Charlotte resident for a mere three years. In that time, he’s already made a mark on our community as the youngest Charlotte Black Pride board member (27 years-old), a community public health worker (since the tender age of 16 years old).
Clearly, Perry is a mover, shaker and good troublemaker who is young enough to effect meaningful change for a long time to come. It’s no wonder his dad routinely and affectionately called him “The little Malcolm X” (referring to his revolutionary nature and consistent advocacy for others). During this interview, we learned a little more about what makes him tick and his joys found as an organizer of Charlotte Black Pride events. He’s also a Ted Talk enthusiast, gamer and former head laureate at the University of Rochester.
L’Monique King: Where in Charlotte do you live?
Miles Perry: On the West Side in a two-story wood house in what is becoming a very mixed neighborhood; transitioning from primarily Black and Latino to more [ethnically] diverse. Gentrification is generally bad – especially when it comes to pricing out residents and changing the innate culture of a neighborhood. It’s sad that it takes white people moving into an area for a city to care about safety and accessibility. However, if you tactfully mix in affordable housing with the higher end developments, a few bike lanes, communities thrive.
LMK: What brought you to North Carolina?
MP: I moved to Chapel Hill to get my MPH [Master’s in public health] from UNC-Chapel Hill. I moved to Charlotte after graduating. The job I got originally required me to stay in North Carolina. The Triangle Area/Chapel Hill was too slow for me. I needed more of a metropolitan environment and Charlotte seemed to offer that.
LMK: What are you enjoying about Charlotte since relocating here?
MP: I’ve enjoyed the people I’ve encountered so far. Especially coming from New York’s queer culture. But typically, when I’m in an environment that doesn’t hold space for me – I will carve out a space. Usually when I carve that space out, I find that people will want to join me in populating that space.
LMK: Since graduating, how have you made your livelihood?
MP: I’ve always had two or three jobs since about the age of 18. When I first came to Charlotte, I was a researcher for UNC-Chapel Hill’s Behavior and Technology Lab. That was a part-time job that I maintained up until presently. There’s been multiple changes in name, location and host university but the same great people are at the helm doing the same great work. So currently, I work with the only lab that works specifically with queer youth [mostly of color] in the nation.
LMK: On a familial note, do you have any siblings?
MP: I have one sister. She’s 11 years older than me and we’re close. She and my nephew just moved to Charlotte along with my mom this past summer.
LMK: Romantically speaking, is there anyone special? Are you partnered?
MP: <Slightly chuckling> I’m single and ready to mingle.
LMK: When you think about entering a relationship, what are you looking for?
MP: <Without hesitation> Reciprocity.
LMK: What exactly is the nature of your involvement with Charlotte Black Pride?
MP: Before I moved to Charlotte the first event I ever attended [during a visit] was a Ball produced by Charlotte Black Pride. I was doing research for the state at the time and was still in school. I had a good time, loved the vibe. At the time, one of the Ball hosts was also a cast member of a popular streaming show. There were also lots of vendors with interesting items and information. It was great, I didn’t know Charlotte had that much going on. With Charlotte Black Pride, I didn’t feel like I needed to “carve out a space.” With CBP I just felt like I wanted to decorate a little bit. So, at my very first event, before I left – I found CBP’s table and asked how I could get involved. I became a board member (the CBP Young Adult Liaison). I was and still am the youngest person on the board. After a while, it became apparent that your passion and skill set would be a better fit for [the position of] co-chair. So, I now serve as the co-chair with a mission of seeing Charlotte Black Pride becoming a destination Black Pride in the same sense that folks go to DC or Atlanta and know when their events are every year. I want to see Charlotte become that. And I believe that’s a reasonable expectation because Charlotte has consistently been listed as one of the nation’s fastest growing cities with 700 people moving here each week.
We’ve seen Charlotte activate. Over 260,000 people come out the weekend of Charlotte Pride. So, I know for a city with such a large Black population it’s reasonable to hit or surpass that number.
LMK: You’re engaged in a lot of serious work. What makes you laugh?
MP: My dad. (a comedic soul, now an ancestor as of 2020) and having a good little kiki with my gworlz; as in a gender-neutral gathering of friends just joking around.
LMK: Aside from inequity, what makes you frown?
MP: <Chuckles> politics. Well, not that much. My undergrad degree is in political science. Seriously though, transphobia, gender/sexual orientation segregation and structural discrimination which has been making me frown a lot recently. There have been a number of local businesses that have told me that they will not rent out [space] to us because we are considered cultural or a pride related organization. It’s an awful place to be in for a nonprofit.
LMK: What (if any) do you think the solution might be?
MP: I think as both queer and Black people we have always had to be resilient. We’ve never stopped due to a no, a non-response or a non-favorable response. So, the importance of community is being more emphasized now. I recently spoke with a straight ally and business owner who also stated how unhappy he was/is with the current administration and all the blatant discrimination and then offered us a discount. He specifically referenced the ban on trans athletes and stated “If your rights are going, mine will be next.”
LMK: Wow, that’s powerful. In thinking about that as an under-30-year-old queer person and advocate – what thoughts would you like to share with our youth community regarding our current state of affairs or anything else?
MP: Right now, it may feel like the road is long and almost too far to travel. But every step lays a brick for someone else, making the journey easier. All you have to do is keep on going – keep on living.
LMK: Sounds like great advice. Sounds like a perfect day – when the time comes that such encouragement is no longer needed. What’s a perfect day like for Miles?
MP: I’ve experienced perfect days. One of them was at a “Black on Purpose Stage” at Charlotte Pride. It was a stage run by CBP at Charlotte Pride with performances, exhibits and collaborators. We’re very grateful to have such a great relationship with our sibling pride organization – and excited that they’ve entrusted us with our ability to cater to Charlotte’s Black queer community. Last year we had a fashion show, poets, singers, a marriage proposal; and to top it all off, we had a vogue ball showcase. It was fab! And this year was equally awesome. We had a great time at Charlotte Pride this year, with a Charlotte Black Pride stage that drew massive crowds of community. We had a packed tent from 12 – 6 p.m. each day.
LMK: Before we let you go, let’s fast forward into the future. Fifty years from now, what has Miles accomplished? MP: Miles is an old auntie that hopefully has a little bit of cash <laughter>. A very humble pioneer who goes to the spaces that he contributed to, just to experience how they have evolved and help out with the continuation of growth. I also want to have enough money to anonymously donate to all the Black Prides that I’ve experienced in my lifetime. I want to have access to wealth in a way wherein I can give back substantially.