About Us

The School of Opulence is a Black queer–led organization dedicated to restoring the holistic health of queer people of color. Rooted in the legacy of the Black Ballroom House community, we combine cultural pride with practical resources to address the real challenges our communities face—HIV prevention and care, housing and food insecurity, mental wellness, and other social determinants of health.

Founded in February 2022, the School of Opulence builds upon a powerful 20-year legacy of advocacy and leadership supporting the Black Ballroom House community. The first concept of the school set the standards for organizations of today. We remain committed to uplifting underserved Black queer individuals through dynamic, community-driven initiatives.

Mission

To restore the holistic health of queer people of color by advocating for resources and providing programming that raises the quality of service, quality of life, and life expectancy of QPOC who are HIV probable, HIV positive, housing insecure, food insecure, and afflicted by other social determinants of health.

Vision

At the School of Opulence, we envision a future where every Queer person of color thrives in an environment of holistic well-being and social equity. We aspire to be a beacon of empowerment, fostering a community where access to essential resources and comprehensive support services eliminates the disparities faced by those who are HIV probable, HIV positive, housing insecure, and food insecure. Through innovative programming nd advocacy, we are dedicated to transforming lives and enhancing the overall quality of life, ensuring that every individual can achieve their fullest potential and experience lasting wellness. Together, we will create a world where health dignity are universal rights, and where every Queer person of color is celebrated, supported, and uplifted.

Values

At the School of Opulence, our values form the foundation of everything we do.

We live by the principles embedded in our name:

O - Opportunity

We believe every Queer person of color deserves access to opportunity, healing, and growth-free from stigma and systemic barriers.

P - Power

We affirm the power of our communities to lead, heal, and transform. We uplift voices that have been silenced and create spaces where leadership is shared and nurtured.

U - Understanding

We center compassion, cultural humility, and trauma-informed care in every interaction, building bridges across identities and experiences.

L - Liberation

We are committed to justice and freedom. Our work is about dismantling oppressive systems and creating pathways toward true liberation for QPOC.

E - Equity

We do not believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We meet people where they are with targeted support that addresses the unique challenges

QPOC face.

N- Nurture

We cultivate safe, affirming, and joy-filled spaces that nurture the whole person —mind, body, and spirit.

C - Community

We are nothing without our people. We invest in building solidarity, trust, and shared responsibility with those we serve.

E - Excellence

We strive for the highest standard in all we do from service delivery to advocacy-because our communities deserve nothing less.

  • Reached and empowered over 500 queer people of color, particularly those confronting housing instability or HIV/STI challenges.

  • Conducted 200+ STI and syphilis screenings, enabling early treatment and prevention.

Our Impact

  • Reinvested over $35,000 directly into community support and resilience-building.

  • Distributed 300+ HIV at-home testing kits across South Shore and the broader Chicagoland area to expand access.