May
26, 1996 - rain in the afternoon
Organizers:
Black Gay Pride Day Inc.
Coordinator:
Location:
Banneker Field, Georgia Avenue NW
Awards:
Entertainment:
Gloria Hightower was the headline entertainer.
Estimated
participants:
Letters
to the Washington Blade complained of its lack of coverage of the
event. Marion Barry hosted the kick-oof reception at One Judiciary
Square. Women in the Life held events at Diversite and Babylon.
Profitability was undermined by $15,000 in fines from the city and a $6,500
charge for police officers who hadn't been requested. Speakout II
and Black Gay Media events drew writers and journalists from around the
country.
May
25, 1997
Organizers:
Black Gay Pride Day Inc
Coordinator:
Location:
Banneker Field, Georgia Avenue NW
Awards:
Entertainment:
Inner Light Unity Fellowship presented Jennifer Holliday.
Estimated
participants:
The
Washington
Blade devoted several full pages to the schedule and events surrounding
Black Gay Pride Day. The kick-off reception was at the Radisson Barcelo.
May
24, 1998
Organizers:
Black Gay Pride Day Inc
Coordinator:
Earl Fowlkes Jr, Cheryl Head
Location:
Banneker Field, Georgia Avenue NW
Awards:
Entertainment:
Sweet Honey in the Rock, Michelle Parkerson, Reverb.
Estimated
participants: 12,000
It
DIDN'T rain! The kick-off party was at the Edge. The opening
reception was at the Radisson Barcelo. Ruth Ellis made a much celebrated
appearance. During the 1998 event, representatives from New York
City, Detroit, Atlanta, and Washington, DC at a workshop at the Barcelo
created a national organization of Black Prides.
May
30, 1999
Organizers:
Black Gay Pride Day Inc
Coordinator:
Earl Fowlkes Jr, Cheryl Head
Location:
Banneker Field
Awards:
Entertainment:
Cece Peniston, Crystal Waters
Estimated
participants: 10,000
The
weather was clear and hot. A Federation of Black Prides meeting was
held simultaneously. Ruth Ellis's 100th birthday was celebrated at
Club 2:k:9.
May
28, 2000 "Pride 2K"
Organizers:
Black Gay Pride Day Inc.
Coordinator:
Earl Fowlkes Jr, Cheryl Head
Location:
Washington DC Convention Center
Awards:
Entertainment:
Estimated
participants:
Black
Gay Pride Day Inc moved the festival indoors to the Convention Center.
Many events were held at the Renaissance Hotel. The Federation of
Black Prides met during the festival.
May
27, 2001 Self Love = Black Pride
Organizers:
Black Gay Pride Inc.
Coordinator:
Earl Fowlkes Jr, Noel Sheperd
Location:
Washington DC Convention Center
Awards:
Entertainment:
Monifah, Delta Elite celebration of 25 years
Estimated
participants:
May
26, 2002 A Time to Heal
Organizers:
Black Gay Pride Inc.
Coordinator:
Earl Fowlkes Jr.
Location:
Washington DC Convention Center
Awards:
Entertainment:
Crystal Waters, film festival, poetry slam
Estimated
participants:
May
25, 2003 "Living Free in 2003"
Organizers:
Black Gay Pride Inc.
Coordinator:
Earl Fowlkes Jr., Ronnie Foster,
Location:
Washington DC Convention Center
Awards:
Entertainment:
702, Staceyann Chinn, film festival, wellness workshops
Estimated
participants: 13,000
Opening
reception at the Renaissance Hotel.