Ejay: Mr SouthEast LeatherFest 2011
His bio: EJay Session aka “Uncle EJay” is a native of Los Angeles, California. He left Los Angeles in 1991 to continue his education at Morehouse College in Atlanta, and has made Atlanta his home ever since. His leather life began in Los Angeles at the age of 18, but did not truly develop until his former partner introduced him to the Sanctuary Family in 1995. It was at this time, his journey into the leather community began.
In 1998, EJay found yet another outlet to explore the community that he now called family. He joined, Onyx, a national organization for men of color, an organization that was founded in Chicago in 1995. In 2004, after several years of being a full associate of Onyx EJay joined with four others and founded the Southeast chapter of Onyx.
For the past 12 years, since joining Onyx, his mission has been to educate people about the leather community, whether it be one or one hundred. In 1999, Onyx was invited to host a seminar titled: “People of Color in Leather.” The seminar became one of the largest attended seminars during Atlanta’s Gay Black Pride Weekend. Due to the success of the People of Color In Leather seminars, Onyx was asked by the International Mr. Leather committee to begin hosting the seminar, during the International Mr. Leather Weekend. EJay was a presenter, and participant in the panel discussions and demos.
Ejay’s personal philosophy is: “Giving Back Begins With Me” In 2010, he decided to put this philosophy into practice by volunteering to recruit men and women for the LifeForward program, a program sponsored by Emory University to recruit men and women to participate in the HIV clinical trials program.
Throughout the years, not only has EJay been involved in the leather community, he was a semi professional D.J., performing at several venues in the Atlanta area, most notably, Phase I in Decatur. Described by some as a big kid at heart, most Saturday’s EJay can be found at Six Flags Over Georgia, exploring his passion for rollercoasters and amusement parks or playing Sim based computer games. However, his greatest passion is cooking. Ejay attended the Art Institute of Atlanta in 1998, and still continues baking cakes as a hobby and side business.
Ejay believes that life is a journey, not a destination, and as a “switch” EJay has had the opportunity to explore many fetishes including spanking, whipping, flogging, fireplay, cigarplay, fisting, bondage, wax, sensory play, cbt, nipple play, hoods, gags and gloves. He states that his favorite toy is a boar bristle wooden hairbrush. Extremely effective, easy to handle and you can still brush look good in the dungeon.
Calendar of Events
- SELF Bar Night—The Atlanta Eagle—February 24
- TCTS—The Call to Serve—March 2-4 Roy's Hideaway (Demo Dummy)
- Mr. and Ms. Georgia Leather Bar Night—Gotta check the date
- Atlanta Leather Pride—April 13-15th
- The Tradesmen Run--
- Seven Guardsmen Bar Night—TBA
June 2011 Column
As I sit here, preparing to complete the drudgery that is: “HOUSEWORK” my mind is filled with visions of last week’s events at Southeast Leatherfest. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine, I would walk out of the contest a titleholder. It was and is the most surreal event of my entire life. I just knew, I was going to get the proverbial tap on the shoulder, with someone saying: “Ejay, there’s no need for you to go back on stage.” I was waiting for that tap, but it never happened. So when my name was called, you could’ve knocked me over with a feather.
Over the past week, people have asked me what does it feel like to be a Titleholder? And my easy answer is: “I don’t know yet, I haven’t begun the actual work yet. I’m looking forward to it though.”
I’m excited, anxious, but anticipating the adventure.
I would like to personally thank all the people who showed up, and showed out to help me with everything from preparing my basket to helping me get dressed. My only hope is, I can be an example and give back to someone else some of what you gave to me. Many thanks to Lady Catherine and the entire SELF staff for making me feel welcomed and giving me words of encouragement, when my nerves were getting the best of me.
There are so many people to thank for your help, guidance and support. And I’ll try to thank you all right here and right now. First and foremost, SIR Dexter Edmond, you are my “everything.” Friend, mentor and sometime, partner in crime. You have truly supported me in every endeavor and always allow me to just be me. You live not by what you say, but what you do. Dana, what can I say? You are my last minute man. We have grown together through the years, and I’m most thankful that you are the friend who shows up and gives your all. By the way, I’ve heard there is a new term out there for disgruntled employees who deal with the public, they say: “Don’t make me go Uncle Ejay on your ass!!!” LOL. That is due in part to you. Jamal, you are the epitome of “POWER SHOPPER" on a shoestring budget.
Ike-- many thanks. You are my friend, my partner and my love—onward and upward babes. To all my brothers involved with Onyx Southeast. Though many of you didn’t know what I was: “UP TO” thanks for your continued encouragement. Last but certainly not least and to the man who pushed me to the point I couldn’t push back—many thanks. Your friendship has become something I cherish and I look forward to many more great tines. Also to Robbie and Master DuWayne Ray many thanks for your contributions.
To Angel, Dave, Dan and Melissa—My newfound family, you guys are the best and I had a blast sharing last week’s events with you, and look forward to making many new memories.
So what now? Where do I go from here? Well right now, I’m still contemplating my travels.
But for the immediate time, I’m about to take a trip to the laundry room. There’s nothing like dirty underwear to keep a man humble. I look forward to seeing you all in my upcoming adventures.
Feb 2012 Column
WOW, what a WONDERFUL, EXCITING yet HECTIC two months this has been!!! I believe in one of my earlier articles I mentioned possibly becoming a part of a team of DJ's in the Atlanta area known as the Ron Pullman Collective. Well, it's official, I am the opening DJ at Mixx every first Saturday night. If you don't know by now, I love music, any kind of music, and to be afforded the opportunity to watch people dance to the music you play is an AWESOME experience. It's a high that no drug could ever replace. Well, that was December!!! Also this past December, was the start of new chapter in my life, THE SEVEN GUARDSMEN is now official and up and running, as a matter of fact, we just got our patches this weekend, and I must say, I am a proud Poppa (well Uncle) to see this come to fruition. Still have a lot of work to be done, but the ground work is laid, and the foundation so far is solid. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. Moving on to January, about mid January I got an email from SIR ALAN PENROD asking me would I be interested in sitting on the panel for the first Titleholders Workshop at the Atlanta Eagle. I was honored to be asked, and of course said yes. It was a very rewarding experience for me because not only was I afforded the opportunity to speak about SELF, my title and the SELF EXPERIENCE, I also got the opportunity to learn about some of the other regional titles, it was very interesting and informative to say the least. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Well, while at the workshop, I was then approached by my friend and mentor Wayne Brawner who basically told me: “You're judging at Mr. and Ms. Georgia Leather in September!” What a great way to celebrate my birthday!!! So, I now have been offered my first judging opportunity, and I hope to see all of you there, it promises to be a great weekend. If you need info, you can go to the website: www.leatherbash.com. Then there was February. Just got back from Mr. SECC and got the opportunity to hang out with Dan, melissa, and Boy Dave. Imagine my face when as I walked into the courtyard and saw three people who I hold in the highest regard standing there as if they were waiting for me to arrive. It really r felt good. And I don't think they realized what a welcoming, warm fuzzy feeling I got when I saw them. All I remember hearing was boy dave say: “OH MY GOD, LOOK WHO'S HERE!!!” right then and there, I knew, it's gonna be a fun weekend. Speaking of SECC, CONGRATULATIONS to SIR ANDY MR. SECC 2012. I know you will represent the community well during your title year. You are such a gentleman and a good spirit.