Atlanta Celebrates Black LGBTQ+ History, and Culture at Annual Pride Festival
By Tiffany Harte
Digital Storytelling Content Manager
The streets of Atlanta shimmered with pride, unity, and a tapestry of colors this past weekend, as the annual Atlanta Black Pride Festival, which took place from Thursday, August 31 to Monday, September 3, marked yet another year celebrating the city’s Black LGBTQ+ community.
This year, attendees were treated to an exciting line-up of Hip-hop artists such as Saucy Santana, Sexyy Redd, and Fendi Da Rappa. The five-day celebration commenced at Atlanta City Hall, where the City of Atlanta and Mayor Andre Dickson held an opening reception. Throughout the weekend, the schedule was packed with panels, workshops, day parties, counseling sessions, a comedy showcase, and nighttime events at some of Atlanta’s premier venues.
On Sunday, September 3, Piedmont Park was alive with the spirit of the 11th annual Pure Heat Community Festival. The park teemed with hundreds from the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, all gathering in unity and celebration.
Amber Moore, a board member with Atlanta Black Pride, who was deeply involved in the festival’s organization in past years, said of the celebration, “Atlanta Black Pride is our time to come together and party and celebrate us.”
Founded in 1996 by a group of friends who got together at Piedmont Park for a cookout, the event has grown into the largest Black Pride celebration in the U.S.
Moore said, “When the founders went to Piedmont Park, nothing existed to connect us to what Labor Day is. That’s when it happened. These people saw that we needed a place. We needed to have our own table, bring our own chairs, our own voice.”
While the festival was a celebration, it also emphasized education, offering a wide range of workshops and seminars.
“Educating, empowering, and celebrating the community — we keep those things in mind in everything we do,” Moore emphasized.
The rich tapestry of Black LGBTQ+ heritage was illuminated through various art exhibits and performances.
Moore said, referring to the artists and performers, “We make sure we talk to all our communities so that we are providing what they need. We want the community to understand that we put programming together because this is what they want. We are here to listen and make it happen.”
One of the highlights was the Community Awards Ceremony, where rapper Big Freedia was honored with the annual ICON award.
Despite the weight of its importance, the festival was also a space for light-heartedness and fun. Moore added with a smile, “It’s during these gatherings we let our hair down, share laughter, stories, and form bonds that last a lifetime.”
As Atlanta returns to its routine, echoes of Atlanta Black Pride remain.
For Moore and others like her, it’s a reminder. “This festival,” Moore concluded, “Is very much about tradition. Being a part of Atlanta Black Pride makes sure these traditions stand.”
