Black Pride RVA organizers put much thought into their work
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- Published: Friday, July 16 2021
- Written by Diversity Richmond
While organizing LGBTQ events is certainly rewarding, the work involves many hours of planning thoughtful, meaningful activities that will attract a multitude of diverse places people find themselves in their life journeys.
“We could never accomplish this without our wonderful cadre of volunteers,” shared Luise “Cheezi” Farmer, co-founder of Us Giving Richmond Connections, the host of the Black Pride RVA weekend of events. “No one in our organization is paid. It’s strictly a volunteer effort and we work to create fun events, but those that also serve purpose and help build healthy lives.”
Fellow co-founder and weekend planner, the Rev. Dr. Lacette Cross agrees. “Our mission is to foster a sense of community within the Black LGBTQ community through power building and social engagement. Our events are to help fill the gaps between a person’s racial identity and sexual orientation. We, as UGRC and the Weekend of Black Pride fill that gap by saying, this is how we can be both. And this is how we can foster the connections to our blackness and to our queerness that are healthy, that are vibrant and that are fun.”
“The LGBTQ community is diverse and Black LGBTQ people deserve a time to celebrate our voice,” continued Cross.
Photo: The Rev. Dr. Lacette Cross, Luise “Cheezi” Farmer