I had the extreme
pleasure of attending the 4th 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