Philadelphia Black Pride is back and better than ever with a host of changes and new events.
Besides dropping the “Gay” from its name, organizers have expanded the event to encompass a wide range of content uniquely tailored to the black queer community.
This year’s theme, #phillyblackpride2015, encourages attendees to share their experience with others on social media. It’s all part of PBP’s new brand and programming vision.
“We are more inclusive and more connected than ever to our mission of providing lifestyle programming for the community as a whole and providing space for people of color,” said PBP organizer D’Ontace Keyes. “Collectively, between ourselves and our partners, there are 16 events this year in a variety of venues and locations throughout the city.”
The 16th annual Philly Black Pride will take place April 22-26. Most events are free or low cost.
The celebration kicks off with #A1PHA monologues, a collective performance showcase celebrating the voice and creativity of young black queer voices, 5-8 p.m. April 22 at the Rittenhouse Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square. The Social Sunday Day Mingle, featuring multi-platinum singer and songwriter Dawn Richard, will conclude the festivities 5-9 p.m. April 26 at the Kimmel Center. For a complete listing of events, visit www.phillyblackpride.org.
“Everything is new — new events, new Philly, new look,” Keyes said. “A lot of time was invested in determining what a quality Black Pride experience would be.”
The result? A program lineup with a heavy emphasis on social and networking opportunities that bucks the common Pride festival stereotype as a hyper-sexualized, alcohol-fueled party. Also, events will be held at various venues throughout the city to showcase the “new Philly” to out-of-town visitors.
“We want to provide visibility to the community through socially competent content that stems away from the focus in other Pride events on alcohol, sex and the financial bottom line,” Keyes said. “It’s really an opportunity for our community and community partners to connect — it serves a double purpose.”
Keyes noted that 75 percent of the events are free and proceeds raised from the remaining ticketed events go directly to PBP’s annual youth scholarship program.
Philly Black Pride was created in 1999 as an offshoot of COLOURS, an LGBT health-service organization dedicated to serving people of color. In 2004, it became an independent nonprofit.
Keyes said the event has its origins in large West Philly networking parties that LGBT individuals used to host in their homes.
“These parties attracted people from near and far, and allowed everyone to catch up, reconnect and exchange,” Keyes said. “Philly Black Pride today is still modeled after those early parties.”
Now, PBP draws up to 8,000 people and is showing no signs of slowing down.
“We have matured, become more visible and aligned ourselves as a recognizable event in the city and state,” Keyes said. “When I first started working with Philly Black Pride in 2010, I would never have imagined we could secure venues like the Kimmel Center.”
For more information, visit www.phillyblackpride.org.
