Darren Conkerite Oral History
Item
Title
Darren Conkerite Oral History
Identifier
2024.005.006
Type
Oral History
Description
In 1994 Darren Conkerite and his partner Scott opened Back to the Grind Coffeehouse which they created as a safe space for youth, the LGBTQ+ community, the arts, and political organizing. This interview begins with Conkerite discussing his family’s history in Lake Elsinore and his background in cheesemaking. He then details his meeting of his partner Scott and their decision to open Back the Grind in Riverside. Conkerite elaborates on how from the beginning he and Scott fostered community at Back to the Grind, supporting all types of people, the arts, and political organizing. He also discusses his history with Madeline Lee and David St. Pierre, two owners of the Menagerie gay bar, located next door to Back to the Grind. Conkerite provides details on the development of Riverside’s downtown area, which back in 1996 was not the vibrant space it is today. The interview concludes with him reflecting on several individuals active in LGBTQ+ organizing in the area and the role of Back to the Grind as a community space.
Subject
African American history
LGBTQ
LGBTQ History
LGBTQ Community
Business
Local Business
Small business, Owner
Performing Arts
Homophobia
AIDS epidemic
Political organizing
Activism
Development
Spatial Coverage
Riverside (Calif.)
Temporal Coverage
1970s-present
Creator
Darren Conkerite
Catherine Gudis
Date
July 21, 2023
Contributor
A People's History of the I.E.
Format
Audio
Language
English
Rights
Duration
01:07:04