More Than 40,000 Are Expected to Attend the 29th Annual DC Black Pride "Our Truths in Harmony" in Washington, DC Memorial Day Weekend

USA - English

• USA - English

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The theme for DC Black Pride 2019 is "Our Truths In Harmony," an expression of the individual truths and paths in life that combine the strength of the Black LGBTQ community. Activities will take place from Monday, May 20 through Monday, May 27 with the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown located at 999 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 as the host hotel. This annual event brings together members of the Black LGBTQ community, allies and friends for a weekend of workshops and forums on a variety of issues important to the Black LGBTQ community.

The annual DC Black Pride Awards Reception recognizes exemplary members and allies of the Black LGBTQ community who have demonstrated true dedication to uplifting and advancing the community. The reception will be held on Tuesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at The Park at 14th located at 920 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Fox News contributor and national syndicated radio host Richard A. Fowler will serve as master of ceremonies. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at dcblackpride.org/awards-reception. The Center for Black Equity is proud to announce this year's honorees:

• Welmore Cook Award: Allyson N. Abrams, Diana Williams and Nii-Quartelai Quartey
• DC Black Pride Leadership Award: Queen Adesuyzz
• DC Black Pride Leadership Award: Kahlib Barton-Garçon
• Unsung Hero Award: Steven Wilson
• President's Award: Derrick Johnson
• Charlotte Smallwood Volunteer of the Year Award: Derrick "Strawberry" Cox
• Earline Budd Award: Shi-Queeta-Lee
• DC Black Pride Small Business Award: Michael Beale - Mb Staffing Services
• Curtis L. Etherly Jr. Ally Award: Peggielene Bartels "King Peggy" and Gail Oliver
• Alan Sharpe Award: Alan Sharpe

For the first time in DC Black Pride history, more than 60 DC metro area organizations will join the Center for Black Equity to co-host the 29th Annual DC Black Pride CommUNITY Opening Reception, officially kicking off Pride on Friday, May 24. The evening will feature a live performance by MarcWayne with special guest DMV R&B artist Rinny, as well as networking and fellowship. This event is complimentary, but registration at dcblackpride.org/reception is requested.

Educational and enrichment workshops will be held on Saturday, May 25 beginning at 10 a.m. in the host hotel. All workshops are complimentary and open to the public. Confirmed workshops include: Ask the Doc: Understanding Health and Wellness; Being Queer, Black and Christian; Building the Tribe: An Intergenerational Dialogue on Building Trusting Communities; Introduction to Government Consulting; Resume Writing and Interviewing; Substance Use, HIV and Suicide Among Black Queer Communities; Trans and Non-binary Youth Town Hall and Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Town Hall.

In addition to these events, there will be the annual DC Black Pride Mary Bowman Poetry Slam, an organization and vendor expo, and other activities Friday evening and all day Saturday at the host hotel.

"The 2019 installment of DC Black Pride promises to be the best ever. I believe the thousands of residents and visitors will find a safe place to celebrate and enjoy our 29th Pride" said Earl Fowlkes, CEO/President of the Center for Black Equity.

This year's DC Black Pride title sponsor is DC Department of Health. Other sponsors and promotional partners include Planned Parenthood, Ed Bailey, BOCA Pharmacy Group, FHI 360, Mb Staffing Services, Gilead Sciences, Whitman-Walker Health, All of Us Research Program, Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital Pride Alliance, CDG Community, cencational designs, Human Rights Campaign, Making U Fierce, Mary's Center, NOBCO, ONYX, The Pride Study, UCHAPS, Verizon, Honey Coated Nightlife, A 2 Zee Events, Mary Bowman, Daryl Wilson Promotions, LLC, MIMSOL Entertainment, Omega Entertainment, Onyx Entertainment and Women In The Life Association.

Complete details, including the full 2019 schedule, can be found at dcblackpride.org.

Contacts

Kenya Hutton, k.hutton(at)centerforblackequity.org, 202.641.8527
Earl Fowlkes Jr., e.fowlkes(at)centerforblackequity.org, 202.841.7104

About Center for Black Equity/DC Black Pride

DC Black Pride is a program of the Center for Black Equity (CBE). The CBE is a global network of LGBTQ individuals, allies, community-based organizations and Pride organizations dedicated to achieving equality and social justice for the Black LGBTQ community through health equity, economic equity and social equity.

DC Black Pride has inspired annual Black LGBTQ Pride events in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil, Africa and the Caribbean since its founding in 1990. More than 300,000 men and women attend Black LGBTQ Pride events each year.

SOURCE DC Black Pride