DC Black Pride Festival

DC Black Pride Festival

Last weekend in May

The D.C. Black Pride Festival is a social, educational, and fundraising festival originating in the African-American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community of Washington, D.C. The central mission of the festival is to raise awareness of and pride in black lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders and to support organizations fighting HIV/AIDS and other health issues. The event serves as the model for numerous black pride festivals held throughout the United States.
Held each year since 1991 on the long Memorial Day weekend, the D.C. Black Pride Festival draws about 25,000 to the Washington Convention Center, where displays include a health and wellness fair, as well as specialty merchandise and food vendors. In addition to activities centered in the exhibition hall, entertainment and social events extend throughout the preceding week. Included are a town hall meeting on the state of black gay men's health, workshops on various lifestyle topics, a basketball tournament, and worship services. A fashion show, film festival, comedy showcase, and poetry slam are among the entertainment offerings, and a pageant is held to select Mr. and Ms. D.C. Black Pride. Throughout the festival, various social events offer music, dancing, and refreshments.

CONTACTS:
DC Black Pride
P.O. Box 77071
Washington, D.C. 20013
202-737-5767
www.dcblackpride.org

SOURCES:
AAH-2007, p. 75

Celebration days:
2011: May 28; May 29
2012: May 26; May 27
2013: May 25; May 26
2014: May 31; Jun 1
2015: May 30; May 31