GABRIELLE HITCHENS
As an employee in the corporate world, Gabrielle Hitchens moved around the country, working and living in several states. “No matter where I lived, I struggled to find community as a Black queer woman,” she admits. Hitchens moved to New York City in 2021, hoping to find a welcoming space for queer women of color. She soon realized that even in New York City, there were few options for QTBIPOC to gather and find community. This inspired Hitchens to take matters into her own hands and create the community she longed for. She founded Raw Honey, an organization that provides a safe, inclusive, and empowering space for the underserved community by hosting women-centered events for QTBIPOC throughout the city. Raw Honey is still growing, and Hitchens aspires to continue building and empowering a team to curate unique experiences for the community. She also plans to work with more corporate organizations to create queer entertainment and experiences outside of nightlife. Hitchens’ story inspires all who seek to create something meaningful and impactful, and exemplifies how one person’s passion and drive can make a difference in the world. When faced with setbacks and adversity, Hitchens uses them as motivation to move forward. “All of the setbacks I have experienced have propelled me in the right direction,” she says. “The QTBIPOC community is so deserving of memorable experiences and options. I know that God blessed me with my gifts and my queerness to contribute something meaningful to the world, and I feel it is my responsibility to do just that.”
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