REVOLUTION, Nashville’s fifth-annual Black Pride Celebration, will take place this weekend, October 26-28. Brothers United Network, Inc., Tennessee’s only black, gay non-profit organization, will host the event.
Nashville Black Pride [NBP] is one of more than 26 member cities within the International Federation of Black Prides organization that attracts thousands of black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) attendees throughout the nation, including Toronto and South Africa.
Nashville Black Pride’s mission is to bring together African American and other LGBT same-gender loving (SGL) people-of-color in a social, none threatening setting to uplift, educate and present positive images that help empower, affirm and maintain a healthy, productive community.
The celebration, which is predominately African American, is open to all people regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender identity. NBP publishes a free Black Pride Guide as well as lists all of the events in the October, November and December issues of The Brothers & Sisters United Newsletter entitled The BASU SOURCE. The guide is read by hundreds of pride goers and helps to bring thousands of tourist dollars into Nashville over the course of the celebration.
Celebrity guests this year include actor Rodney Chester, Alex on the hit LOGO series Noah’s Arc and local midday radio personality Princess Ivori from Nashville’s Big Station 92Q.
Activities will include an opening reception, book signings, workshops, parties, spoken word event, live music and entertainment, a town hall meeting, a benefit fundraiser, couples recognition, free and confidential HIV testing and an annual Black LGBT Film & Cultural Fest.
This year’s host hotel is Hotel Preston located at 733 Briley Parkway in Nashville.
For more information and up-to-the-minute event scheduling, visit www.brothersunited.com/blackpride.htm.
Fifth annual Nashville Black Pride Celebration schedule of events...
FRIDAY: October 26
8 PM - Opening Reception: FREE at Hotel Preston - 733 Briley Parkway, Hermitage & Donelson rooms (main level).
- Featuring Celebrity Guests Rodney Chester from Noah’s Arc and Princess Ivori from Nashville’s Big Station 92Q
- “Lift Every Voice & Sing:" Nashville in Harmony Choir
- Couples Recognition
10 PM – 1 AM - Official Black Pride Party # 1: Hotel Preston: Lynchburg & Cumberland rooms (main level).
Cost $10, SMOKE FREE environment: 18 to enter, 21 to drink. Proper ID required.
- All reception attendees get in for $5
- Special Guest DJ & Performances
10 PM – 2 AM - Official Black Pride Party # 2: Club BLU: $10 before midnight, $15 after. 21 enter and drink. Proper ID required. BLU Bar & Night Club, 1709 Church Street.
- Music by DJ Robbie Rob from Philadelphia, PA
*** Please note there are only TWO official Black Pride Parties on Friday***
SATURDAY: October 27
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Vendor Marketplace: FREE at Hotel Preston.
Downstairs lobby and Brentwood room.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM - Work & Play shop: FREE at Hotel Preston
“No Mo Shame” meets participants where they are and strengthens self-efficacy to achieve desired healthier behaviors through skills building activities that equip participants for success and supports spiritual growth. Facilitated by Pastor Ricc Rollins from Tampa, FL.
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - National Black Justice Coalition Town Hall Meeting: FREE at Hotel Preston. Located in the Pink Slip Lounge on the main level. Facilitated by Herndon Davis, Director of Communications, NBJC.
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM - Literary Café: Author & Spoken Word Showcase: FREE at Hotel Preston. Location: Pink Slip Lounge, main level.
- Author, recording artist & Spoken Word Artist; Tim’M T. West (“Flirt”, “Red Dirt Revival”)
- Author Skyy (“CHOICE”)
- Author Leo Shelton (“RHYTHMS – Poetry and Muse”)
- Author & Spoken Word Artist; Melissa Gordon (“Disposable Heroes”)
- Author & Spoken Word Artist; Jair, The Literary Masturbator (“Sacred Sensual Secrets”, “Touch: Poems and Other Writings of Love, Erotica, and Sensuality”)
- Author Mykle Kan (“Impossible Dreams”)
- Author & Spoken Word Artist; Adande
- Author Dwayne Carter (“Getting In 2 My Shorts”, “The Best Man”)
- D. Felecia Walker, Author of “From Better to Worse; A Memoir of Unconditional Love”.
5:30 – 7:00 PM - Mini Film Presentation:
- Triple Minority, A short film by Amber Sharp
- DL Chronicles; Episode: “BOO”
9 PM - 2 AM - Official Black Pride Party # 3: Gibson Showcase”: The Official Benefit/Fundraiser at 161 Opry Mills Drive in Opry Mills Mall, $15 before midnight $20 afterward - SMOKE FREE Environment: 18 to enter and 21 to drink. Proper ID required.
- Performance by Xander, 2007-8 Mr. Esquire
- Performance by Nigel LeStat
- Performance by Seduction, 2007-8 Ms. TN Diamond Diva
- Live performance from local female recording artist “Too Deep”.
SUNDAY: October 28
Film & Cultural Fest at the Historic Belcourt Theatre, 2102 Belcourt Avenue, Nashville (off 21st Avenue, one block from the Wedgwood / Blakemore intersection).
CULTURAL EVENTS
- A special performance from “Womyn with Wings” – A Chorepoem
DOCUMENTARIES
- CLIK Elite Awards
- Standing N Truth: Breaking the Silence- Sex, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS in the Black Community. Extended Trailer
- Dirty Laundry Trailer
SHORTS
- The DL Chronicles
- “Boo”
- “Mark”
- Triple Minority
FEATURE FILMS
- Kevin’s Room 1
- Don’t Go
- Kevin’s Room 2
- The Truth About the DL
- Kevin’s Room 3
Monday: October 29
6:30 PM Debriefing Meeting: at Nashville CARES: 501 Brick Church Park Drive.
All are welcome.
Confirmed vendors at press time include:
- OUTLOUD Department Store
- Studville Clothing
- The 5th Wick
- Delta Lambda Beta Sorority & Beta Omicron Iota Fraternity
- Big Girlz Inc.
- Alpha Chi Upsilon Sorority, Inc.
- Tugson Press
- Brothers & Sisters United
- Mini Mart
- Ricc Rollins
- NAPWA-usa, Alloy Media/Gilead Sciences, Inc.
- Human Rights Campaign
- Organic Roots Creations
- Soul Write Publishing, LLC
- Omicron Epsilon Pi Sorority, Inc.
- STD Free, Inc.
- Lambda Legal
- Power to the People
- PFLAG, TEP & Nashville CARES
Special thanks to the volunteer staff of the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program Community Advisory Board, Vanderbilt AIDS Clinical Trials Center Community Advisory Board and the Comprehensive Care Center Advisory Board.
