WASHINGTON, DC MURIEL BOWSER, MAYOR
Proclamation
DC BLACK PRIDE WEEKEND MAY 22 – 25, 2026 WHEREAS, DC Black Pride was established in 1991 as a continuation of the annual Children’s Hour celebration at DC’s Club House nightclub and to raise awareness of the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic impacting the Black gay community; and WHEREAS, DC Black Pride has grown into one of the most influential gatherings of the Black LGBTQIA+ African diaspora, each year welcoming thousands of participants from across the country and around the world to the nation’s capital for celebration, education, fellowship and advocacy; and WHEREAS, DC Black Pride Weekend will include signature events such as the pageant, the Unity Ball, cultural gatherings, wellness-centered activations, educational opportunities, entertainment, nightlife, and spaces that affirm the full diversity, talent, and resilience of the Black LGBTQIA+ community; and WHEREAS, the 2026 theme, “New Black Renaissance,” reflects a bold celebration of Black LGBTQIA+ creativity, leadership, liberation, and collective possibility, while honoring the legacy of those who built this movement and inspiring those who will carry it forward; and WHEREAS, DC Black Pride continues to strengthen Washington, DC, through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, public agencies, businesses, artists, advocates, and community members working together to create a more just, inclusive, healthy, and vibrant future for all; and WHEREAS, DC Black Pride stands as a testament to the enduring power of Black LGBTQIA+ people to build community, drive culture, and advance equity in Washington, DC and beyond: NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF WASHINGTON, DC do hereby proclaim May 22 - 25, 2026 as “DC BLACK PRIDE WEEKEND” and do commend this observance to all Washingtonians.