Keep Me Close To Your Chest
When I began designing my Mr. Mobile Leather 2026 title pin, I knew I didn’t want to create something that simply carried my name and title.
I wanted it to carry home.
The imagery within the pin represents Mobile, Alabama.
The Mobile skyline gives the pin a piece of the city itself. Above it is my representation of the iconic MoonPie Over Mobile, which descends at midnight during our annual New Year’s Eve celebration. The USS ALABAMA represents another unmistakable piece of Mobile, while the imagery of the state of Alabama grounds all of it in the place I call home.
And woven into that hometown imagery are the Leather Pride colors, because this pin isn’t only about where I’m from. It represents the Leather community and culture that gave me the opportunity to carry this title in the first place.
Each element was chosen with intention.
Together, they bring my city, my Leather identity, and my title year into one design.
And the design won’t end with the pin.
This same design will eventually become the foundation of my title back patch, something that will remain part of my Leather long after my title year has ended.
So when I say:
“Keep me close to your chest.”
I mean it.
Put my pin on your vest. Put it on your jacket. Add it to the collection of titleholders, Leatherfolk, organizations, events, and memories you’ve gathered throughout your own journey.
Carry a little piece of Mobile with you.
But I also want these pins to represent something more than where I come from.
I want them to represent service.
So throughout my title year, each run of Mr. Mobile Leather 2026 title pins will help support work beyond myself.
Net proceeds from each run of title pins will benefit AIDS Alabama South.
That means when you purchase and wear one of my pins, you’re not simply supporting my title year or adding another piece to your Leather collection. You’re helping me use the visibility and opportunities that come with this title to give something back.
And because pins have an unfortunate habit of disappearing from vests, jackets, bags, and sashes, you may request one free locking pin back for each pin purchased.
If I’m asking you to keep me close to your chest, I want to do my part to help me stay there.
Click here to order my title year pin
Help Create The Path
My commitment during this title year is bigger than attending events and having my picture taken while wearing a sash.
I want to put these boots of mine to the ground.
I want to travel.
I want to show up.
I want to meet other servant leaders and bring their skills, experience, and knowledge to Mobile to share.
I want to volunteer.
I want to teach and share what I have learned.
I want to support other titleholders, organizations, Leather families, clubs, educators, producers, and community builders doing the work.
And wherever possible, I want to use the visibility I have been given to direct attention and resources toward people and organizations that need them.
Doing that requires more than intention.
It requires getting there.
For those who would like to support my title year beyond purchasing a pin, I am also accepting contributions toward my Mr. Mobile Leather 2026 Travel Fund.
Travel-fund contributions help offset the costs associated with traveling throughout my title year so that I can continue showing up and being of service wherever opportunities take me.
Supporting my travel fund is separate from purchasing a title pin and separate from the funds raised for AIDS Alabama South through pin sales.
There is no pin, perk, access, recognition, or special consideration required in exchange.
It is simply another way for those who believe in what I’m trying to accomplish to help me get there.
You may donate and support within your own financial capacity using any of these methods.
So whether you purchase a pin, contribute toward my travels, invite me into your community, attend a class, put me to work volunteering, share an opportunity with me, or simply tell somebody what I’m trying to accomplish, you are helping me put these boots to the ground and meet my goals for this title year.
I appreciate every mile you’re helping make possible.
Because Service Is the Point
Winning Mr. Mobile Leather 2026 gave me a title.
What matters to me is what I choose to do with it.
I want to finish this title year knowing I didn’t simply travel from event to event collecting pictures, pins, and memories.
I want to know that I showed up.
That I worked.
That I taught.
That I learned.
That I supported.
That I connected people.
That I raised money.
That I helped where I could.
That I left something behind in the communities that welcomed me.
Because ultimately…
“A title doesn’t make someone a servant leader.
It gives a servant leader more opportunities to be of service.”
— Mr. Prince
Mr. Mobile Leather 2026
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