The Dream Job: Reimagining Traditional Forms of Brotherhood Inclusive of Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, & Questioning Men of Color

Abstract

This chapter reflects the author’s journey as the inaugural Director of the Center for Men of Color Success at a Southern California university, where he redefined traditional models of brotherhood to include queer, trans, and questioning BIPOC men. Through storytelling and critical reflection, the chapter traces Harris’s professional evolution from personal acceptance of his identity to public disclosure while leading an intersectional men’s initiative rooted in authenticity, equity, and inclusion. Drawing from his research on gender, masculinity, and queer Black identity, he examines how institutional cultures shape men’s programs and how inclusive models of brotherhood can dismantle heteronormative and patriarchal norms. The chapter positions personal narrative as a transformative tool for reshaping men’s engagement work in higher education, offering a framework for inclusive masculinity and belonging.