Unity Picnic 2017

I had the extreme pleasure of attending the 4^th Annual Unity Picnic at the Christopher Street Pier.

This event was a big success but who can expect anything less when the team NYC Black Pride members puts their heads together to make magic With Lee Soulja, KoKo, Redd, and Frankie Paradise doing this kind of joint venture everyone is bound to have a great time.

Lee who sits as the executive Director of the NYC Black Pride committee which I have the pleasure of sitting on along with so many others to make thing happen every year for the NYC Black Pride season. It’s true joy to work with this team to bring a full week of events. Lee Soulja is so much more than the ED of NYC Black Pride but he also heads the House of Soulja and with his housemates continue to make strong statements in the house lives matter to further this movement. Lee also promotes many events throughout the year, and is incredible with his visuals costumes that catches the eyes of all the lay them upon him. The love he has for his community can never be in question.

“Let The Music Play” was not just a catchy title by Shannon but a tune that would make people get up and dance back in the day. Today Frankie Paradise who was always a well employed DJ on the NYC…… scene played tracks from that era all the up until what’s popular today. Knowing him over the years has been one of my greatest pleasures.

Red Desmond Thomas is someone new I’ve just started knowing as we both sit on the NYC Black Pride committee together, and I can say he’s always will to stand in support of his community, and has strong ties. During the Unity Picnic all Ii could was him doing everything he could do to make the event go smooth, and smooth is just what it was. He quotes on the events page these words, and I can’t agree with him more.

"There is no such thing as a "broken family." Family is family, and is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers, and or adoption documents. Families are made in the heart. The only time family becomes null is when those ties in the heart are cut. If you cut those ties, those people are not your family. If you make those ties, those people are your family. And if you hate those ties, those people will still be your family because whatever you hate will always be with you. [C. JOYBELL]"

With just about 300 family members in attendance from all generations within the community everybody had a great time, and enjoy one another as a family. I have a great time, and loved seeing all the legend that were present along with so many people I have not seen in years…… I love meeting new people, and look forward to developing great relationships with them as part of my extended family. See you next year!

BeBop W/Pride & Bdot Dillenger