Nashville's 9th annual Black Pride celebration will take place Friday, Oct. 28 - Sunday, Oct. 30. The host hotel is the Millennium Maxwell House located at 2525 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. The official Nashville Black Pride guide is currently on news stands, and all events are open to everyone, regardless of race, gender, or orientation.
Weekend activities include an opening reception, candlelight ceremony, couples recognition and the official Friday night kickoff party at VIBE Nightclub. There will also be a vendor market place setup next door at Out Central and live music & entertainment by Sampson, a comedian from Washington DC, rap duo The QURE from Houston, and female hip-hop artist Mz. Jonz from Detroit.
On Saturday, the Marketplace will reopen at Nashville CARES and include a variety of organizations and businesses including renowned visual artist Sean Lamont from Atlanta. The day will include a youth track, workshops and town hall meeting. There will also be a Literary Café featuring Darian Aaron, author of When Love Takes Over and award winning blogger of Living Out Loud, and author of Saved, Sanctified and Same Gender Loving by D. Marcell as well as free & confidential HIV & STD testing. The annual Benefit Party will feature two performances by the newly-crowned MAC Production pageant title holders for Ms. TN Diamond Diva, and Mr. Esquire, and music will be provided by DJ Mark James from Newark NJ.
On Sunday, the annual Black LGBT Film & Cultural Fest will take place at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film. Screenings include the award winning short; Punch Me, the new musical film about the voguing and ball-culture of Los Angeles; Leave It on the Floor,Slow, along with Lafontaine, Kickoff and more surprises! The mission of this annual celebration is to bring together African American and other lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) People of Color in a social, non-threatening setting to uplift, educate and present positive images that help empower, affirm and maintain a healthy, productive community.
Nashville Black Pride is a proud member of the International Federation of Black Prides organization and attracts thousands of Black LGBT attendees throughout the world including people from Toronto, London, and South Africa. Brothers and Sisters United Network, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that has provided education, affirmation & pride to Tennessee’s Black LGBT Community since 1996.