Adodi National is an intergenerational Brotherhood of Black-Same-Gender-Loving (SGL) Men across the African Diaspora.

Founded in 1986 by Ibaye (Ancestor) Clifford Rawlins in Philadelphia, PA, Adodi was formed as a mutual support and educational space for gay, Black men infected and affected by HIV and AIDS during the height of the epidemic.

Ibaye Rawlins, a licensed creative arts therapist, incorporated his professional training and practice of African Ifa traditions to engage participants. He integrated African ancestral culture to create a non-judgmental village, encouraging and empowering Brothers to be their full, authentic selves and exchange information concerning all areas of health, healing, self-love, and respect.

Continuing the connection with African culture, Ibaye Rawlins chose the name Adodi from the Yoruba language. Adodi is the plural of the word Ado, which denotes a man who loves another man, embodies both male and female natures, and is revered as a shaman, sage, and leader.

Adodi traditions are sustained through annual summer retreats and numerous local chapter gatherings and events designed to uplift and empower Black Same Gender Loving Men across the African Diaspora. Over the years, Adodi has expanded to include chapters in several regions of the United States, enabling Brothers to gather more frequently within their local communities.

Consistent with Adodi’s Six Principles, we are a spiritually guided Brotherhood that cultivates authenticity through honesty, openness, and clarity; sensitivity to feelings; carefronting; and resolution.

The Five A’s — acknowledge, appreciate, affirm, accept, Aché — form the language with which we act and speak these principles into practice.

Today, Adodi chapters are active in the following regions:

• Chicago

• Detroit

• Philadelphia

• New York

• Washington, DC

• Dallas, TX

• Adodi Southern Region (ASR), serving Brothers in the Southern states