DC Black Pride

10/13/2026

You helped us exceed our fundraising goal for the night! 💛 Thank you to everyone who donated during the BE. Gala, and a special thank-you to those who committed to recurring donations. Every gift matters, and we’re grateful for your support!

See your name? Tag yourself! Spot a friend’s name? Tag them and help us celebrate their generosity.

Didn’t get a chance to donate? You still can: https://centerforblackequity.org/donate

10/11/2026

Thank you to our BE. Gala sponsors, supporters, and partners! Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Gilead, and every organization featured in this reel. We appreciate your partnership and support of the Center for Black Equity. 💛

See your organization? Tag your team!

10/10/2026

My heart is FULL. ❤️ BE. Gala 2026: SOLD OUT two years in a row—and because of YOU, we exceeded our fundraising goal!⁠
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To everyone who came, bought a table or ticket, donated, or helped: THANK YOU. Your generosity and trust mean so much to me.⁠
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You filled the room and backed that love with action.⁠
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How powerful to celebrate our Black LGBTQ+ brilliance OUR way—never an add-on or plug-in. For us, by us, all the way through. Our stories. Our culture. Our joy.⁠
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Congratulations to ALL our honorees, including our surprise honorees! Giving you your flowers surrounded by community was an honor.⁠
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And yes, a few folks slipped in and claimed seats! 😂 BE. was the place to be. Like family, we pivoted and accommodated. Thank you for your grace.⁠
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Deep gratitude to:⁠
✨ Presenting partner: Gilead⁠
✨ Media partners: BLAQUE/OUT Magazine & SWERV Magazine⁠
✨ Voice Builder: Empowered Against Mpox⁠
✨ Changemakers: BET, National Black Justice Coalition, National LGBTQ Task Force & Howard University’s Office of Intercultural Affairs and LGBTQ+ Resource Center⁠
✨ Community Contributors: The BLV K Agency, MIXXED, Spa D’Artois & VASCANO Tequila⁠
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Special thanks to Platinum Media Concepts for curating our A/V, and Censational Designs for carrying the evening’s spirit through our website, social media, and printed materials.⁠
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To our board, host committee, hosts, performers, staff, volunteers, and everyone behind the scenes: THANK YOU.⁠
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Photos from Kollin Benson Photography and Getty Images are available at https://centerforblackequity.org/gala⁠
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High-resolution recordings are coming to our YouTube channel shortly—be on the lookout!⁠
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SAVE THE DATE: 3rd BE. Gala⁠
Saturday, October 2, 2027 ✨⁠
Details coming soon!⁠
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You helped create something beautiful. I am deeply thankful for every one of you.⁠
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With a full heart,⁠
Kenya ❤️⁠
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Step into a night prestigious evening dedicated to honoring the Black identity, voices are uplifted, and community shines.

10/03/2026

DC Black Pride is officially a finalist in the 2026 Best of LGBTQ DC Awards — and we need your vote! 🖤🏳️‍🌈

We’re honored to be nominated in TWO categories:
🏆 Best LGBTQ Event
🏆 Best Diversity of Pride Event

For more than three decades, DC Black Pride has created space for Black LGBTQ+ people to celebrate our culture, build community, advocate for our lives, and show the world the power of Black Pride.

Now we’re asking our community, friends, partners, and supporters to show up for us.

When you cast your ballot, look for DC Black Pride and VOTE in both categories.

Let’s bring these awards home! 🖤💗

Vote now:
https://washblade.survey.fm/2026-best-of-lgbtq-dc-finalist-voting?p=1

Presented by the Center for Black Equity

10/03/2026

🎟️ THE BE. GALA RAFFLE IS OPEN! 🎟️

You don’t have to be in the room at the BE. Gala to take your chance at winning one of these special raffle items. Enter from anywhere and support the work of the Center for Black Equity while you’re at it.

This year’s raffle includes:
🍽️ Vascano Tequila Dinner & Cocktail Experience for Four at MIXXED DC
An evening of food, cocktails, and good company.
🎨 “Radiant Joy” Archival Art Print by Aja Moon
A vibrant piece celebrating beauty, joy, and Black expression.
🖼️ Pair of Framed Ghanaian Textile Artworks
These striking works were generously donated by King Peggy Bartels, Chief of the town of Tantum, and Center for Black Equity Founder and President/CEO Emeritus Earl D. Fowlkes Jr.
Every raffle entry supports the Center for Black Equity and our continued work uplifting Black LGBTQ+ communities.

Enter now:
centerforblackequity.org/gala-raffle

Take your chance. Support the movement. And you might just take home something special. 🖤✨

10/01/2026

WE DID IT — AGAIN. 🖤✨

For the second year in a row, the BE. Gala is officially SOLD OUT!
And this year, we went bigger.

We moved into a larger venue, opened up more seats, and once again, our community showed up in a major way. Every table. Every ticket. Every seat. Spoken for.

What started as a vision to create an elevated space that celebrates Black LGBTQ+ excellence, leadership, creativity, service, and impact continues to grow because of YOU.

To every sponsor, partner, honoree, supporter, organization, and guest who invested in this moment — thank you.

This isn’t just a sold-out event. It is a powerful reminder of what happens when our community comes together to celebrate our own, tell our stories, and honor the people moving us forward.

2 years.
2 sold-out BE. Galas.
A larger room.
And we’re only getting started.
See you at the BE. Gala. 🖤

10/01/2026

The BE. Gala Silent Auction is officially OPEN! ✨

And here’s the best part: you do NOT have to attend the BE. Gala to bid. Whether you’ll be celebrating with us in the room or cheering us on from somewhere else, you can still get in on these incredible travel experiences.

Up for bid:
🗽 Christmas in New York
Radio City + 2 nights for two
🌴 Riviera Maya Magic
4-night all-inclusive getaway for two
🎰 Las Vegas Lights
5-night resort getaway
🇲🇽 Mexico Escape
4-night all-inclusive stay for two
✈️ Your European Escape
5 nights for two

Every bid helps support the work of the Center for Black Equity and our continued investment in Black LGBTQ+ communities.

Start bidding now:
centerforblackequity.org/gala-auction

Bid early. Bid often. And you just might be planning your next getaway. 🖤✨

09/30/2026

📣 Research Opportunity for Trans & Nonbinary Adults

The Trans ACCESS Project at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is recruiting trans and nonbinary adults for a research study exploring relationships, community, social connection, and well-being.
You may be eligible if you:
• Are 18 or older
• Identify as trans and/or nonbinary
• Currently live in the U.S.
• Have received support from others within the past month

Participation involves a 30-minute online survey, and eligible participants who complete the survey will receive $30 in compensation for their time.
Research like this helps strengthen our understanding of the experiences, relationships, and support systems that matter to trans and nonbinary communities.

🔗 Take the survey: tinyurl.com/socsupport6

Please share with your networks and anyone who may be eligible. 🏳️‍⚧️💜

09/26/2026

🚨 WE JUST HIT A MAJOR BE. GALA MILESTONE! 🚨
We have officially matched the number of tables sold for the 2025 BE. Gala! 🖤

The overwhelming support for this year’s Gala—and for the Black LGBTQ+ movement and the incredible movers, shakers, leaders, and visionaries we will honor—is something we do not take for granted. THANK YOU!

Thankfully, we planned ahead. 👀 We moved the 2026 BE. Gala to a larger venue, which gave us room to add a few more tables.

But PLEASE don’t wait.

Last year, we had people calling and emailing us the day of the Gala looking for tickets and tables, and we simply could not accommodate everyone. We don’t want you to miss it this year.

If you’re planning to join us on October 3, secure your ticket or table NOW while space is still available.

And if you can’t be in the room—or want another way to show your support—we still have a few advertising spaces remaining in the official BE. Gala Souvenir Program. Celebrate an honoree, showcase your business or organization, or simply let our community know you stand with the Black LGBTQ+ movement.

Tickets. Tables. Souvenir Program ads. Don’t wait until they’re gone.

🎟️ Secure yours now:
centerforblackequity.org/gala

Thank you for showing up for Black LGBTQ+ people, our organizations, our leaders, our history, and our movement.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you. 🖤✨

09/26/2026

We are proud to honor In Our Own Voices, Inc. with the 2026 Ruth Ellis Community Impact Award at the BE. Gala.

For decades, In Our Own Voices has created space for LGBTQ+ people of color to be seen, supported, protected, and empowered. From direct services and emergency assistance to advocacy, training, and community-building, their work recognizes that our communities deserve more than visibility—we deserve the resources and infrastructure to thrive.

Their mission centers the physical, mental, spiritual, political, cultural, and economic survival and growth of LGBTQ+ people of color. That commitment reflects the spirit of Ruth Ellis: community rooted in care, resilience, belonging, and a determination to ensure our people have somewhere to turn.

On October 3, we celebrate In Our Own Voices, Inc. for the lives they have touched, the community they have strengthened, and the legacy they continue to build.

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Ruth Ellis Community Impact Award recipient, In Our Own Voices, Inc. 🖤

BE. Gala
October 3, 2026
Conrad Washington, DC
Presented by Gilead