In Our Own Voices

09/16/2026

🎉 UPDATED TIME — LIFE AFTER 50 BINGO NIGHT! 🎉

Grab a friend and join Life After 50 for a FREE Bingo Night for LGBTQ+ folks ages 50 and older!

Whether you’re a Bingo pro or haven’t played in years, come ready to have some fun, meet new people, and maybe even go home with a prize!🏆

📅 Monday, September 28th
⏰ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 247 Lark Street, Albany, NY
🎟️ FREE — with prizes!

You asked, we listened! 📣✨We’ve updated the time for our upcoming Life After 50 Bingo Night to give everyone a little more time to get here, settle in, and enjoy the evening.

🚪 Doors open at 5:00 PM, with the first ball called at 5:30 PM!

For more information, call 518-432-4188 and ask for Phil, our Chief Operating Officer.

09/10/2026

***New Time and We Listened!
🎉 LIFE AFTER 50 BINGO NIGHT! 🎉

Come out, have some fun, test your luck, and maybe go home with a prize! 🏆 Our Life After 50 program is hosting a FREE Bingo Game Night created especially for LGBTQ+ folks ages 50 and older.

Bring your competitive spirit, bring a friend, and come ready to yell BINGO! 📣✨

📅 Monday, September 28th
⏰ UPDATED TIME: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 247 Lark Street, Albany, NY
🎟️ FREE — with prizes!

Whether you're a Bingo pro or haven't played in years, this is about community, connection, laughter, and having a good time together. 🌈❤️

For more information, call 518-432-4188 and ask for Phil, our Chief Operating Officer.

Tag somebody 50+ who needs to be at the Bingo table! 👀

09/08/2026

🔥 What happens in the relationship… stays in the relationship? Or does it? 👀

Join In Our Own Voices, Inc. for Sexversations for Him: Quiet on the Creek, an 18+ conversation for q***r men and masculine-identifying people of color who are ready to talk about the stuff people usually whisper about.

We’re getting into privacy vs. secrecy, what your partner should know, what your friends don’t need to know, relationship boundaries, trust, intimacy, and those “wait… you told WHO?” moments. 😏

No judgment. No lectures. Just grown folks, real conversation, good energy, and a space to say what you really think.

📅 Thursday, September 17
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Waterworks Pub
76 Central Ave., Albany, NY

🍸 Come grab a drink.
👀 Bring your opinions.
🔥 Bring your stories.
🤫 And maybe bring a secret… or two.

You never know where the conversation might go.

For questions, call 518-432-4188 and ask for Nashaan, YMSM Program Coordinator, or email [email protected].

18+ only.

09/03/2026

📣 JOB SEEKERS — THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!

In Our Own Voices, Inc. invites you to our upcoming Employment Fair, with a special focus on connecting men of color with local employers, recruiters, and employment resources.

Whether you’re actively looking for work, considering a career change, or simply want to learn about opportunities in the Capital Region, come prepared to make connections and take that next step.

📅 Wednesday, September 16
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 In Our Own Voices, Inc.
200 S. Pearl Street, Albany, NY

Bring your résumé and come ready to connect!

This Employment Fair is being held in partnership with the Albany Housing Authority.

For more information, contact Tahi Arnold, YMSM Youth Employment Navigator, at (518) 432-4188 or [email protected].

Please share with your networks and anyone who may benefit from this opportunity.

Strengthening and empowering LGBTQIA+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in upstate New York.

Est. 1998

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

🕊️ In Loving Memory of Anne Nelson, aka DJ Loki 🕊️

Last week, our beloved Anne Nelson got their wings, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, generosity, and unwavering commitment to community.

In Our Own Voices joins our community in mourning this tremendous loss while celebrating Anne’s extraordinary life.

Anne was more than a friend to IOOV. They were a light in our community, bringing big smiles, unforgettable hugs, laughter, and love wherever they went. Anne represented a common thread that stretched across our entire community, connecting people through compassion, service, and a deep belief in showing up for one another.

Anne’s leadership was rooted in love. Their generosity was relentless. Their presence reminded us that community is not simply where we gather. Community is how we care for one another, how we fight for one another, and how we make sure no one is left behind.

To Anne’s family, loved ones, friends, and everyone whose life was touched by their beautiful spirit, we send our deepest love, strength, and solidarity.

Anne, thank you for the laughter. Thank you for the hugs. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for loving our community so fiercely.

You may have gotten your wings, but your light will continue to shine through all of us.

Rest in power, Anne Nelson. 🖤🏳️‍🌈

With love and solidarity,
In Our Own Voices, Inc.

08/26/2026

In Our Own Voices will be closed Wednesday, August 26 through Friday, August 28 for our annual Staff Retreat.

Our office will reopen with regular hours on Monday, August 31.

08/25/2026

Have a mole, spot, or change in your skin you’ve been wondering about? Come get it checked! 🔎

Join us for Protect the Skin You’re In, a FREE community skin cancer screening and skin health awareness event. ☀️

No matter your skin tone, knowing what to look for matters. Come get screened, learn how to spot potential changes early, and take care of the skin you’re in! 🤎

📅 Sunday, August 30th | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 In Our Own Voices | 247 Lark Street, Albany, NY

FREE and open to everyone. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome!

🔗 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/protect-the-skin-youre-in-tickets-1997455026755

08/24/2026

Join In Our Own Voices on Saturday, August 29th for our FREE Yoga event, and go home with a FREE kegel set!

We will be holding a Q+A with our Sexpert on sexual wellness and care, as well as a beginner-friendly, trauma informed and culturally aware yoga class.

WHEN: August 29th, 1pm - 4pm
WHERE: 405 Washington Ave, Albany NY

We hope to see you there!

08/21/2026

🌱 Community Roots Pantry Update: Our weekly fresh produce offerings are temporarily paused August 21st – September 3rd.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, fresh produce will not be available August 21st –27th. The pause will continue August 28th – September 3rd as the IOOV team participates in a staff professional development retreat.

Please note that this pause applies specifically to our fresh produce offerings through Soul Fire Farm's Solidarity Shares Program. Other Community Roots Pantry items will still be available by appointment while our office is open and while supplies last.

We appreciate your patience and understanding and look forward to welcoming fresh produce back to the Community Roots Pantry following the pause! 🌱💚

📍 245 Lark Street, Albany, NY
📞 518.432.4188