She’s so deserving!
The 34th annual LA Black Pride (LABP) is scheduled to return to Los Angeles again this June 30th – July 2nd. A jam-packed weekend aimed at celebrating all things Black and queer, the festivities include wellness activities, a picnic, performances, a ballroom brunch and fundraiser, nightly parties, and a variety of Black-owned vendors for attendees to support.
“Each year we reflect on the year’s past and the people and pioneers that have paved the way. In 2023, we are celebrating us, daily – simply waking up and being prideful, everyday,” a statement on the website reads.
LABP also recently announced that legendary actress Raven-Symoné will be the recipient of this year’s Jewel Thais-Williams Trailblazer Award for her “undeniable contributions and impact on music, TV/film and culture.” A veteran entertainer, Raven-Symoné has been a cultural staple since a child, appearing on hit television shows and movies like The Cosby Show, Dr. Dolittle, and her own hit Disney show That’s So Raven. She is also a singer, songwriter, and Emmy-nominated actress.
A larger-than-life personality, in the last decade, Raven-Symoné has been very vocal about her sexuality and emerged as an inspiring figurehead for the Black queer community. The award, named for Jewel-Thais Williams, a healer, activist, and the first Black woman to own a disco nightclub in the U.S., honors queer or ally women of color who are “breaking barriers and creating visibility for queer and transgendered individuals through arts, media and community building.”
“This year’s theme, #MyBlackIsGold, is more than a mission; it’s a mantra. It’s an affirmation that we are worthy of equity and the pure joy of simply being and loving who we are…We are celebrating those who are shaping the future of our community, big and small,” LABP told Because Of Them We Can via statement.
Produced by Live Event & Entertainment company, BBE Group, this year’s LABP will feature rapper Doechii as the headliner with Raven-Symoné set to receive the Jewel Thais-Williams Trailblazer Award at the ONE “Mega Party” on July 1st at Catch One.
For more information on LA Black Pride weekend, visit www.blackpridela.com. Congratulations Raven!
Cover photo: Raven-Symoné set to receive trailblazer award at LA Black Pride/Photo Courtesy of Monica Schipper/Getty Images