House of Steele

The House of Steele (HoS) was formed in 2021 by Head of House (HoH) Master SteeleToe the Bootblack to connect and train leatherfolk with an interest and natural ability to lead and develop the leather community. At present, the HOS comprises a Protege (Reece Diamond), an alpha boy (boy Ogun), boy SwitchBlade, boy Bakari, boy Forge, and one boy-in-training (boy Vice). Additionally, the HoS is committed to live openly as kinksters with a goal of de-stigmatizing kink/fetish/BDSM/leather, especially for people of color.

The Head of House (HoH) SteeleToe took his first kink class in 1998, and in 2014, he found a community where he could learn and grow as a leatherman. His passion for education led him to ONYX NY/Northeast, where he served as President and VP, and received the 2019 Brotherhood Award. He taught classes online via the House of Steele Facebook page, and at national events including Leather Leadership Conference (LLC) (for whom he currently serves on the board as Treasurer), Bootblack RoundUp, Virtual Bootblack Jam, Kink U in Rochester, NY, and various ONYX chapters. He was the 2020-2021 Northeast Bootblack, the 2022 IMBB 1st Runner Up and inaugural winner of the IMBB Brotherhood award. He served as a judge for BBM, the Woods Leather Contest, the NJ Leather Contest, and IMsBB. SteeleToe was covered as a Master on March 23, 2024.

The HoS is passionate about education and community service, and offers classes and online chats to increase knowledge of and exposure to kink/fetish/BDSM leather topics and issues. They volunteer at events in their local communities, including the Tri-State area, Western NY, Washington D.C., and Atlanta. Members of the HoS are also members of three Onyx chapters (NY/Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast) and two BLUF chapters.

The principles of the House are represented in the adinkra symbols featured on the crest:
Dwennimmen: Strength and humility
Akoma Ntoso: Linked hearts (family)
Eban: Safe space
Sankofa: Tradition
Nkonsonkonson: Community
Nea Ope Se Obedi Hene: Leadership and Service

The House motto is “Eke Nipa Ina”, which means “Forged by fire”.

In addition to each individual growing in their own leather journey, the HOS has the following goals:
Normalizing kink by publicly living as leatherfolk.
Providing Leather/Kink/Fetish/BDSM education.
Establishing community Service activities/fundraising events to support our communities.
Connecting members of the Leather/Kink/Fetish/BDSM community.