( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) 25th Atlanta Black Gay Pride Weekend & 9th Pure Heat Community Festival Celebrated Over Labor Day Weekend
ENSPIRE Contributor: LaShonda Thompson
Atlanta Black Gay Pride, the country’s leading LGBTQ+ annual pride, marked its 25th-year celebration with an exciting line-up during the 2021 Labor Day holiday weekend, which included stars City Girls, Trina, Da Brat, Jesseca “Judy” Dupart, Trina, Ashanti, Lil Kim, Saucy Santana, Bobby Lytes, Sidney Starr, Natalie Nunn, Keke Wyatt, Tokyo Stylez and more. In addition, a portion of proceeds from the weekend’s festivities will benefit homeless LGBTQ+ youth and those infected/affected with HIV/AIDS via The Vision Community Foundation. The 4-day celebration included nightclub parties with performances from the City Girls, Saucy Santana, Ashanti, Trina and hosting by Tommie, Ty Young, Natalie Nunn, Melissa “DJ M” Scott, and more.
On Sunday, September 5th, the 9th annual Pure Heat Community Festival took place in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. Also known as a free “day of unity.” The free cultural event is equipped with the market and food vendors, live celebrity and local performers, entertainment, educational forums, prizes & giveaways – all designed to bring together the spirit of community, pride, and vision. This year’s festival honored veteran hip-hop artist and two-time GRAMMY Award-nominee Da Brat and her fiancé Jesseca “Judy” Dupart, the multi-millionaire business owner and CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products. Da Brat received the annual Legacy award, while Dupart was bestowed the annual Trailblazer Award. Additional honorees include the founder of the Zeus Network, Lemuel Plummer (Trailblazer Award), Chicago’s DJ Sedrick (Legacy Award), celebrated rapper Saucy Santana (Trailblazer Award), and the city of Atlanta’s LGBTQ Affairs Coordinator, Malik Brown (Activism Award).
Pure Heat Festival performers included: VH1 “Love & Hip Hop Miami” star Bobby Lytes, Atlanta’sFuture show cast member, Cici Nicole, Aaron Thomas, RJ Brady, Steezo, Lil Wave Daddy, Drea Dominique, Damez, Lauryn England, Lamar Cole, Array, Roman, Trap Girls, Dayvia and a surprise performance from Trailblazer honoree Saucy Santana. In addition, “BADDIES ATL” (Zeus Network) stars Natalie Nunn and Sidney Starr made a special appearance presenting Lemuel Plummer. Additional special guests included: Sy’rai Smith, Milan Christopher, Dallas Austin, Juiicy2xs, and Park Cannon. Follow the festival on social media by using the handle: @PureHeatCommunityFestival. For more information on the Pure Heat Community Festival visit: pureheatcommunityfestival.com.
This year’s celebration offered various cultural, educational, and entertainment activities designed for all participants. The host hotel, Hotel Midtown Atlanta, served as the epicenter for lodging, convention, and general Atlanta information needs. In addition, pride nightlife events will take place in many of Atlanta’s premier venues. In conjunction with the mayor’s office and the Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Black Pride organizers took extra precautions to ensure that all celebration participants had a safe and enjoyable weekend in the great peach state.
Atlanta Pride Weekend sponsors included Gilead, Positive Impact Health Centers, Zeus Network, Philo, ViiV Health Care, AHF.org, Land Rover Buckhead, AARP Georgia, Cupcake, IGLTA, iElevate, Traxx Girls, Rockstars Production, CR8 Agency, and more.
Visit AtlantaPrideWeekend.com to keep up with future events and happenings.
Another article you may enjoy: Da Brat & Jesseca “Judy” Dupart New Reality Show – ENSPIRE Magazine
