Atlanta Black Pride 2025 Uplifts Community [Exclusive]

Atlanta was alive with pleasure and resilience over Labor Day weekend as Atlanta Black Satisfaction introduced 1000’s collectively for a multi-day celebration of group, visibility, and tradition. Held from August 28 by September 1 and introduced by The Imaginative and prescient Neighborhood Basis, Traxx Women Inc., and Rockstars Manufacturing, this yr’s lineup blended political recognition, inventive expression, and collective care in ways in which underscored why Atlanta stays a hub for Black LGBTQIA+ life.

The weekend started with Mayor Andre Dickens’ sixth Annual Atlanta Black Satisfaction Reception at Metropolis Corridor, introduced by Gilead Sciences. The reception introduced metropolis leaders, activists, and group members collectively in a second that set the tone for the times forward.

Not solely that, however Da Brat and Jesseca Harris-Dupart obtained the Cultural Affect Award for his or her changemaking work as an influence couple.

“That is Atlanta’s finest social gathering with a objective,” Dickens mentioned. “That is the time once we get to have a good time our identification, tradition and the group. Tonight serves as a reminder that this metropolis continues to be the place the place each a part of who we’re is seen and is revered.”

Dickens additionally emphasised Atlanta’s legacy of advocacy.

“You’ll all the time discover us on the aspect of justice and inclusion, and we’re main with love, with pleasure and with compassion,” Dickens mentioned.

He highlighted that proceeds from the night supported the Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program, serving to to put money into the subsequent technology of leaders.

This system additionally featured remarks from Dewayne Queen, Director of LGBTQ Affairs for the Metropolis of Atlanta, who reminded attendees of the motion’s roots.

“We’ve all the time been the primary to talk up, to face up, to point out up, to behave up and to battle for who we’re and what we imagine in,” Queen mentioned. “That braveness is our legacy and additionally it is our duty… in a world the place youth too usually face silencing, erasure, and damaged spirits, they want us now greater than ever.”

The reception stretched throughout three flooring of Metropolis Corridor, with areas designed for mingling, performances, and sponsor activations.

Friends had been handled to complimentary bites from AJ’s Catering — together with candy & bitter meatballs, Alfredo pasta with hen and turkey sausage, soiled rice, pork bites, and salads — and an open bar menu that leaned into the theme with names like Yasss Queen (vodka with passionfruit and lemon), Spill the Tea (gin, prosecco, and lemon), and a Satisfaction Punch Mocktail made with contemporary juices.

The night additionally pulsed with dwell music, DJ’d by Durand Bernarr, who set the tone all through the night. Mixed with a black carpet, sponsor lounges, and Gilead’s branded photograph expertise, the environment balanced political acknowledgment with cultural celebration.

The evening wasn’t with out aptitude. Friends had been handled to the Exhibition Kiki Ball, introduced by Prince$$, with Da Brat among the many night’s visitor judges. The runway-style showcase underscored how artwork, music, and trend stay central to Atlanta’s Satisfaction celebration.

Melissa Scott, Managing Associate of Atlanta Black Satisfaction Weekend, mentioned her hope was that attendees left “feeling supported, feeling cherished, feeling free, and feeling joyful.” For her, Atlanta’s Black Satisfaction stays distinct as a result of it displays the cultural and social wants of the group it serves.

“Individuals of colour, all of us have completely different monetary wants, we have now completely different academic wants, we have now completely different well being wants… after which, simply generally, actually, in ATL we vibe completely different. We like completely different music. The tradition’s completely different. In order that’s what makes our Black Satisfaction so particular.”

A Competition of Pure Warmth

On Sunday, the thirteenth Annual Pure Warmth Neighborhood Competition drew 1000’s to Piedmont Park for one of many metropolis’s most anticipated traditions.

From dwell performances to meals distributors to vibrant trend statements, the pageant created a protected area for pleasure, connection, and cultural expression.

Particular visitors included Diamond from Crime Mob, Saucy Santana, Tiffany Evans, Suki, Terrell Carter, Milan Christopher, Teseki, Ivori, Diamond The Physique, Reco Chapple, Ms. Sophia, Melissa Scott, Steezo, 4N Yardi, and Damez.

One of many afternoon’s excessive factors got here when Saucy Santana took the stage, operating by hits like “Stroll ’Em Like a Canine” and “Shisha.” The group matched his power, turning the park into an open-air dance flooring that embodied each efficiency and group celebration.

The pageant additionally featured a spread of distributors past the principle stage — with stalls promoting every thing from meals and candy treats to trinkets, clothes, and handmade objects. TS Madison was additionally honored with the annual Humanitarian Award whereas Superstar wardrobe stylist Ryan Christopher obtained the annual Trailblazer Award.

The combo of music, meals, and fellowship gave the day the environment of a homecoming tailgate, the place outdated associates reconnected, new bonds had been shaped, and the sense of group was simply as necessary because the leisure.

However the pageant’s objective prolonged past buying and celebration. Distributors additionally lined the park with assets designed to maintain the group knowledgeable and supported.

Eternity Franks, PREP Program Coordinator for Whitefoord Inc.’s Secure Steps for Prevention Program, defined that their sales space offered free and fast sexual well being testing.

“We do every thing sexual well being sensible,” Franks mentioned. “Free HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trich, BV — all the testing is free and fast, so that you get your ends in half-hour. If any check comes again optimistic, then we do free remedy.”

Latoya Withers, a Gilead Model Ambassador, echoed the significance of outreach.

“It’s simply getting the phrase out to our folks and to all people, to, you understand, get examined. Know your outcomes,” she mentioned. “Gilead gives a system the place you’ll be able to go surfing, search for suppliers, search inside your metropolis, after which there are testing locations so to get a free check, HIV and STD, so that you will be up in your standing.”

These efforts are tied on to Atlanta Black Satisfaction’s bigger mission. A portion of the proceeds from the weekend benefited homeless LGBTQIA+ youth and people impacted by HIV/AIDS by The Imaginative and prescient Neighborhood Basis.

The visibility of teams like Whitefoord Inc. and Gilead bolstered how Satisfaction is about each celebration and survival. Attendees left not solely uplifted by music, trend, and fellowship but additionally geared up with data and assets to guard their well being and their futures.

In the end, Atlanta Black Satisfaction was a reminder of the ability of protected areas.

It was a privilege to witness and share in moments that carried each pleasure and which means. From Mayor Dickens’ phrases at Metropolis Corridor to the colourful power of Piedmont Park, the weekend mirrored the resilience and brilliance of a group that continues so as to add to Atlanta’s cultural identification.

Atlanta Black Satisfaction 2025 wasn’t only a collection of occasions — it was a residing testomony to unity, visibility, care, and celebration.