Windy City Black Pride ( WCBP ) hosted its annual park festival of entertainment, community outreach and celebration of Black gay pride.
Thousands came out to Sherman Park in Englewood July 3 to attend the outdoor event. Hosted by local entertainers Mz. Ruff-n-Stuff and Otis Mack, the festival featured local musical acts, vendors, HIV/AIDS testing and food. WCBP's marketing and public-relations director, David Dodd, said that the festival was a "fun and safe" way to celebrate and express one's pride.
"We plan for this all year long," he said. "It's not many times out the year where we can come together as a people and celebrate who we are as African-American gays. This is about brining everyone out together, no matter how effeminate or masculine you are. This is about being family, being one, having a good time and celebrating each other."
Windy City Black Pride's park festival was just one of the many exciting Black Pride events over the holiday weekend. Photo by Terrence Chappell