Black Pride 2017: Events and Workshops
All the events you need to know about for this weekend's Black Pride celebration
“We’ve reached the point for the last few years where people don’t ask, ‘Why do we have Black Pride?'” says Earl Fowlkes. “I think people in our community understand the importance of this, for those who are of communities of duality, black and gay.”
Fowlkes is the longtime head of the Center for Black Equity, which organizes DC Black Pride, an annual celebration that draws thousands to Washington every Memorial Day weekend.
“After this last election, I think all people feel vulnerable,” he continues. “Particularly if you live in certain parts of the country…. We’re only into the first half-year of the administration, and it’s frightening to look already at what’s being done to attack and undermine LGBTQ rights.”
It’s the outside threats against LGBTQ people of color, whether physical, emotional, or political, that attendees of DC Black Pride seek to insulate themselves from as they gather with other LGBTQ black people, basking in the weekend’s positive energy and support.
The weekend, at 27 the longest-running Black Pride in the world, may be saturated with parties, but it’s also educational. Some of the weekend’s panels and workshops are geared towards those needs, everything from advice on jobs, sexual health, and aging.
Below are a few highlights of the this weekend’s events. All events are at the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H St. NW, unless noted. Most events are free and open to the public. Visit dcblackpride.org for more details.
Friday, May 26
DC Black Pride Opening Reception
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
LGBTQ Speed Dating
8:30 to 10:30 p.m. (check-in at 7:30 p.m.)
Farragut Square/Lafayette Park Room
Saturday, May 27
Grown Folks Speak Out
Presented by Mary’s House for Older Adults
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wilson/Roosevelt Room
A day-long workshop examining what life looks like for black LGBTQ and same-gender loving people. Topics include aging, intergenerational interaction. Free.
Morning Workshops
11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
- Interfaith Workshop, presented by Pastor Mitchell Jones, (Lafayette Park Room)
- The House/Ballroom Community: A Legacy of #BlackExcellence (Latrobe Room)
- Don’t Forget the T (Burnham Room)
- The Intergenerational Queers Project, presented by Women in the Life Association (Franklin Square Room)
Resume Writing and Interview Prep Workshop
Noon to 2 p.m.
Farragut Square Room
Booz Allen Hamilton provide job-hunting tips and answers.
Afternoon Workshops
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
- Overcoming Church Hurt in the Black Church, presented by Pastor Darren Phelps of Bethel Christian Church (Lafayette Park Room)
- Masculine of Center Panel Discussion (Latrobe Room)
- Understanding the Trans Attracted Man (Burnham Room)
- ManDate presents Sex, Drugs and Alcohol (Franklin Square Room)
- Black, Gay & Greek: A Panel Discussion, presented by Beta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc. (McPherson Square Room)
DC Black Pride Film Festival
2 to 7:15 p.m.
Moonlight at 2 p.m., Kiki at 4 p.m., and Check It at 5:45 p.m. (Independence Ballroom FGHI).
Poetry Slam
Hosted by Mary Bowman
7 to 9 p.m.
A competition highlighting the spoken word talents of the black LGBTQ community. Cash prizes. To participate, sign up online at dcblackpride.org or in the hospitality suite by 1 p.m. Saturday (Farragut Square/Lafayette Park Room)
Sunday, May 28
Interfaith Worship Service
9 to 11 a.m.
Guest speaker: Pastor Mitchell Jones, featuring a combined guest choir from various D.C. affirming churches.
(Farragut Square/Lafayette Park Room)
Cultural Arts & Wellness Festival
Noon to 6 p.m.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW
A resource fair with booths highlighting various social, cultural, and health resources for the LGBTQ community. Attendees also get access to Daryl Wilson’s Epic Live party. $20 admission from 12-2 p.m. and $25 after 2 p.m. Free to Wet Dreamz Reloaded 2017 Passholders.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.