More than 30 people celebrated this year's Esteem Award honorees at Sidetrack Chicago bar July 2.
This year marked the fifth year that the awards honored community members for their advocacy for LGBT African Americans. The ceremony is held annually as part of Chicago's Black Gay Pride.
Jamal Edwards, Howard Brown Health Center's CEO, was one of the awardees. Edwards dedicated his award to Lois Bates, the organization's transgender health manager.
"She really speaks to me about what I think is important about Howard Brown," Edwards said, noting that her work with marginalized communities helped make HBHC a leader in transgender and HIV care.
Other honorees included the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Dance for Life co-founder Keith Elliott, National AIDS and Education for Minorities Services, Chicago House, Curtis Lipscomb, Angel L. Brown, Mary Morten, Monica Roberts, Joy Morris, The Cynical Ones blog, No More Down Low TV, LoveBScott.com, journalist Jonathan Capehart, columnist Mary Mitchell, Emil Wilbekin, The Advocate Magazine's Forty Under 40 series, St. Sukie de la Croix, Kenny Leon, Tarell Alvin McCraney, James Saunders JS Marketing Group, Talents of Chicago, Black Lesbians United, Spark and Project SYNCERE.
The awards also featured poetry readings by Michelle "LOVE the poet" Nelson, Dr. D, Marcell and Yolo Akili.
Text and photos by Kate Sosin