One year ago, the Purple Tie Affair was cancelled. Today, it stands as a testament to the power of resilience, community, and radical vision, raising an incredible $30,000 for Black queer media. In a deeply personal opening, Anna DeShawn pulls back the curtain on the emotional journey: from losing a major sponsor to rebuilding with grassroots support. She shares why this victory, powered by community, means more than any corporate check ever could. This powerful theme of "building your own table" is the perfect bridge to this week's conversation. Anna welcomes Dr. Jessica and Emily, the brilliant founders of Queer Quest, a revolutionary "unconference" creating a vital space for Black and Brown queer folks in STEM. They discuss the exhaustion of navigating the "ivory tower," the magic of fusing quantum physics with ancestral healing, and the urgent need for spaces that celebrate rest as resistance. This episode is a tribute to those who build their own tables: past, present, and future. Find links to everything discussed in the show notes, including: How to support trans icon Miss Major. Tickets and sponsorship for Queer Quest in Chicago. The incredible work of Task Force Prevention and Community Services. The history of Chicago legends Pat and Vera Washington. Want to support this podcast? 🏳️‍🌈 Join the QCrew: If you believe LGBTQ stories need to be amplified, support the work we do. Join the QCrew for as low as $5 a month, https://bit.ly/3L3Ng66 🎧 We are Queer News Done Right.   🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ 00:10    Anna celebrates raising $30,000      14:40    Queer Quest, a Multiverse of Rest & Resistance      🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   Important Episode Links   Give to Miss Major fundly.com/missmajor    Sponsor a Ticket to Queer Quest https://oyanova.com/event/queer-quest-a-journey-to-self-discovery    Learn more about Task Force Prevention and Community Services  https://www.taskforcechicago.org/    Learn more about Pat & Vera https://www.chicagogayhistory.com/biography.php?id=633    🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨ Interested in advertising? Email: info at e3radio.fm Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@e3radio  Queer News Tip Line: Got a story I should cover? Send it my way! https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/243669/19/rc6z5z67pp1op502 or email info at e3radio dot fm   📣 Stay Connected Subscribe for news & queer deals: Queer News Newsletter, https://bit.ly/QueerNews  Follow Anna @annadeshawn on social for the latest queer news updates! Rate, review, and share this episode to help amplify LGBTQ+ voices.  🌈✊🏾🏳️‍⚧️✨   About Queer News An intersectional approach to a weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, entertainment and culture. Tune-in to reporting which centers & celebrates all of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & comrade communities. Hosted by Anna DeShawn. New pod drops every Monday by 9am CT.    Edited by Ryan Woodhall.  Brought to you by E3 Radio, and distributed on The Qube.