Harlem
Pride the New Heritage
This was
a day that would stand out in the memories of all that attended this
year annual Harlem pride event at Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem.
Hosted by the famed Comedian Tammy Peay, Music mix master DJ Andre
Collins, coordinated by Richard Pelzer of Mega Personalities,
Community Photographer DexStar, Supporters who came out for this
event was Hip Hop artist & singer baron, Neo Soul artist Nhojj
who worked the stage at last year’s Harlem Pride. I look forward to
this event every year & will always give my support. Mayoral
candidates Christian Quinn & Anthony Weiner also came out to give
their support & drum up vote so they can win the mayor’s race.
The
entertainment was great as it always is this year’s lineup was as
follows:
ARTIST
LINE UP!
SPECIAL
PERFORMANCE
You Make
Me Feel Might Real: A Sylvester Concert by Anthony Wayne who
performed at a local venue here in NYC blessed us with a special
performance, and he turned it out. The entire time he was on stage I
reflexed on a time long past but was instrumental in personal growth
toward acceptance of myself. Well done Sylvester & RIP!
Also
featuring: Amanda Holley, Carmen Chiles Band, Cashmere, Des Shawn’a,
Destiny Devine, EdgEe, Egyptt, Exousia, House of Amazura & House
of Pink Ladies, I’Wante, Jahlove, Malik So Chic, Sapphire Hart,
sean360x, SHiA, Sir Charles, T-Boy featuring The Gabana Girls,
Vanessa Justine & Will Sheridan
As one
of the newest org in NYC designed to bring the LGBTQ community
together as one united front, and give service to an area that many
would consider a community grossly underserviced Harlem Pride
continues to grow to be a formidable partner in this for equality.
They are doing a great job. The youth are in great need of support,
we have to put an end to the stigmas associated with being Gay,
bullies, hate crimes & most important we have to put an end to
suicide that has been destroying our community.
Carmen
Nelly Executive Director & Assisting her my good friend Robert
West Harlem Pride will continue to grow until they become a power in
this community that has not been seen in years.
I have
been a part of this movement in some form or another for almost 30
yrs. And I may have grown tired of the same ole same ole but I have
not gotten tired of the fight. For an limited staffed org in its
infancy to be making such a mark and impact on our community in such
a short time is unheard of but they are doing it. I would not be
surprised at all within the next few years Harlem Pride is fully
formed, staffed and is a force to be reckoned with.
The time
has come for others to join us in the fight for equality! This is a
battle we are slowly but surely winning. The more we show our
strength by the number we hold the faster we can bring the war for
equality to an end.
United
we stand divided we fall. So come out come out, come out where ever
you are. The time has come for us to stop sitting back while others
do the work & when the fight is won then you jump on the band
wagon & reap the benefit of others hard labors. Just imagine how
fast we can win this fight for equality if we all are on the front
line & showing our power by the numbers we come out in. What a
mighty blow we can strike if we stand together. You community needs
you now! If you’re on the Down Low, Closeted, Bi-sexual or anything
in-between the time is now. I know the stigma of loving people of the
same gender is a hard pill to swallow with all the ignorant &
oppression we face on regular bases. The time is now to kick stigma,
ignorance & our oppressors in the azz & deliver the message
we are here & going nowhere. Give us the rights we deserve now.
Surely
you don't think MLK's the father of the civil rights movement was
only fighting for blks. Oh no he along with Rosa, Malcolm, and many
others fought the right to be equal no matter who you are, where you
come from or what you represent you have the same rights as everyone
else. You have the right to be equal & disabled any color or
ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation you choose to be you are
entitled to the same dignity and respect as anyone else.
Harlem
World is no long a community where Black & minority people who
resides and thrives in this close knit community! Harlem has become a
melting pot now made up of many culture & ethnicity's Being born
& part raised in Harlem for me is nothing short of a blessing.
Harlem
being a up & coming melting pot there has been calls from other
members of the community for Harlem Pride to open up its eyes, minds
and executive doors to be more inclusive of non-minority members of
the Harlem community to sit on the Board of Directors. I have learned
from a reliable source steps are being taken to integrate all of the
Harlem community so all can make a difference and have a voice.
Professionals are being bought in but as a long time worker in the
nonprofit field it takes a long time to make things happen from
conception to implementation.
Harlem
Pride Slide Show
You Make
Me feel Mighty Real Special Performance
By
Anthony Wayne
Harlem
Pride the New Heritage
The
Next Super Power
Craig,
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I didn't know you are such a talented photographer. Thank you for being a friend.
Robert West
July 9, 2013
ReplyDeleteTo: The Board of Directors of Harlem Pride, Inc.
From: Chris Davis
RE: Integrating Harlem Pride’s Board
As you all know, I have been urging Harlem Pride to integrate its board since before the 2102 Pride celebrations. Although Caucasians make up more than 30 percent of the population of Harlem, we are not represented on your board. I was present at the early organizational meeting of Harlem Pride, and I realize that I could have asked to be on the board then, but I did not have the time. However, it never occurred to me that the board would be expanded, that Harlem Pride, Inc., would become a large 501(c)(3) corporation, and that in 2013 there would still not be a Caucasian member of your board.
I am not saying that anyone intended to intentionally discriminate against the sizable white minority in Harlem. But, that is what happened. The original board members demonstrated a tremendous failure of leadership and vision at the time they expanded the board and filed for 501(c)(3) status. It is completely inappropriate in 2013 for a Pride organization that claims universality not to have a board that mirrors the demographics of its constituents.
I will be starting a Face Book page called “Integrate Harlem Pride”, and I will be sending copies of this letter to all of your business, institutional, and personal sponsors. It should be a liability to be associated with a Pride organization without a racially diverse board of directors. I urge Harlem Pride to integrate its board of directors. I urge Harlem Pride to provide public view of its operations by posting a list of its board members on its website and by posting a copy of its most recent annual report. If you are not willing to do these things, the SGL people of Harlem and also your sponsors deserve an explanation.
I would be happy to meet with the board to discuss these issues if you would like.
Since some people reading this letter do not know me, let me tell you a bit about myself: I have lived in Harlem since 1995. My partner of 17 years, who is now my husband, is black. I am the author of several books, including the novel for the AIDS film “Philadelphia” and “Valley of the Shadow”, one of the early novels about AIDS. I am working on a new novel that is set in Harlem.