Philly Black Pride continues to expand and evolve

Annual Philly Black Pride events begin on April 24 — but the organization is active and engaged all year long.

By

Lauren Rowello

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April 15, 2025 4:27 pmhttps://epgn.com/2025/04/15/philly-black-pride-preview-2025/

Attendees at William Way LGBT Community Center’s recent Town Hall meeting on April 10 erupted into cheers and applause when Jacen Bowman, vice president of Philly Black Pride, announced that the organization has expanded this year — and that the group’s funding has increased too.

“Our funding has increased because the community has finally seen a value in Black Pride,” Bowman said, thanking the organization’s donors and supporters.

“This is our 26th year,” said Le Thomas about Philly Black Pride’s annual weekend of festivities, scheduled for April 24-27 at various locations. “We had our milestone year last year — and we’re growing even more than we did last year with the programming, with the partnerships.”

Bowman explained that Philly Black Pride, which was established in 1999 in response to health disparities facing Black LGBTQ+ people, was one of the first Black Pride initiatives launched in the country.

Today, LGBTQ+ people of color continue to be the most marginalized and vulnerable community members — who experience higher rates of discrimination, housing and resource disparities, and negative health outcomes than white LGBTQ+ peers. They’re also a clear target of the Trump administration — making organizations like Philly Black Pride and events like their annual weekend of festivities just as crucial as they’ve always been.

This year’s theme is “Love is Love,” and the celebration will have two new events that aim to help people cope with today’s challenges.

At Rooted — a day-long wellness retreat on Saturday, April 25, participants will be guided through a schedule of movement classes, games, relaxation practices and other therapeutic activities. These include sound healing, high-intensity training and games.

Thomas said the retreat will teach attendees “how to center yourself and use your mind and body to get the nourishment that it needs.”

He noted that a panel discussion at Philly Black Pride two years ago launched a conversation about mental health and wellness, but it took time — and some new energy — to bring ideas to life. The organization added two board members to its team, which Thomas said has helped them implement their vision of expanding to offer wellness-oriented programming.

People are doing whatever it takes to survive, Thomas explained — highlighting challenges of daily living and of hardships created by the current political climate. This is why caring for mental health and creating space to pursue wellness is so important to him.

His passion for the topic first began after he lost his mom. Over time, the support he received from friends faded away and he had to learn how to keep himself well. He relied heavily on meditation — a tool he thinks others could benefit from if they learn to practice.

He also believes people find healing and strength by gathering in community.

“We’re all different,” Thomas underlined — noting that although he’s most excited about Rooted, there’s something for everyone at this year’s weekend of events. “In the programs that we’re providing, people are able to take bits and pieces of what’s for them out of it, and hopefully it helps them in their daily lives.”

The festivities begin on Thursday, April 24 with two events — a game night and an artist showcase. A flag-raising will take place at City Hall at 1 p.m. on Friday before a happy hour and mixer event at Luna’s later that evening — the first of various nightlife events at multiple venues and locations throughout the area.

Last summer, Philly Black Pride awarded its first Michael Hinson Mission Grants — resourcing three Black, LGBTQ+ individuals who demonstrated a dedication and commitment to serving the community.

Grants were given to Shaé Smith to support chosen•kin — a resource exchange for Black, queer and trans parenthood, Sean “Shiz” R to support the U-City Art Walk, and Jakai Johnson to support efforts in public health.

“These grants aim to help expand funds and create equitable opportunities around education, creative arts and sustaining new Black and Brown queer nonprofits,” Bowman explained during the Town Hall event, adding that the grants are made possible by nightlife partners and donations made by community members.

Applications for this year’s awards will open during this year’s opening reception on Friday night.

The weekend will wrap up with Thrive, a new Black, LGBTQ+ summit that will feature panel discussions on Sunday. Topics will include family planning and parenting, the intersections of drug use and sexuality, trans liberation and unpacking the complexity of masculinity.

But Philly Black Pride isn’t just a weekend of events. It’s an organization with year-round initiatives dedicated to creating opportunities for connection, education and inspiration for LGBTQ+ people of color.

During his Town Hall speech, Bowman highlighted an emerging campaign, Philly S.A.F.E. — which aims to normalize conversations around nontraditional sexual health topics. The organization also recently started offering self-defense training and expungement workshops and is developing events for voter education.

Philly Black Pride will bring the city’s underground house and ballroom community to a festival main stage by participating in this year’s Roots Picnic — a music festival that brings some of the biggest headliners in hip-hop and R&B to Philadelphia every summer.

That festival will take place throughout Philadelphia’s Pride weekend, offering an additional place to enjoy community and visibility. Philly Black Pride will also continue to organize Philly Pride 365’s Kiki Alley — the area of the Gayborhood festival dedicated to honoring the ballroom community and history.

“We believe that it’s essential to have a presence at the Roots Picnic and that queer people should not have to choose between attending a festival and celebrating Pride,” Bowman said, underlining that participation in the festival won’t be a “DEI moment.” Rather, it’s an intentional and organic incorporation into the festivities.

“We still celebrate Pride in June too,” said Thomas about Philly Black Pride organizers and participants.

He emphasized that Black Pride doesn’t replace broader LGBTQ+ celebrations. This year’s programs offer opportunities that differ from what’s present at June’s Pride and make Black queer community and resources more visible and accessible during a time when they’re especially needed.

“These spaces are important because they provide encouragement and support,” Thomas added, underlining that Black joy is an act of resistance.

Philly Black Pride’s “Love is Love” celebration will take place April 24-27 at various locations throughout the Philadelphia area. For more information, visit phillyblackpride.org/pride.