PrideIndex, a Chicago-based website centering the Black LGBTQ+ community, held its 16th annual Esteem Awards on July 1 at Sidetrack. The event took place during Chicago's Black Pride holiday weekend.
The non-profit Esteem Awards is an event dedicated to promoting positive images of African American/People of Color LGBTQ+ communities. Since 2007, the Esteem Awards has honored over 300 local and national organizations and individuals for their continued efforts in supporting the areas of entertainment, media, civil rights, social services, business and the arts.
Among the local awardees were Joel D. Jackson, of Urban Health Initiative at UChicago Medicine (Outstanding Service, Male); Chicago Foundation for Women (Outstanding Service, Female); Brave Space Alliance's Deputy CEO Jae Rice (Outstanding Service, Transgender); HIV Advocate & Podcaster, Dion Alexander McNeal (Future Leader); African American social-equity advocate, Chicago Urban League (Outstanding Social Services/CBO); Pride In The Pews (Institutional Award); Interdisciplinary Artist & Educator and Chicago's first Poet Laureate, avery r. young (Artistic Expression); Chicago Humanities (Special Recognition); and Wellness & Health Services Provider, Dr. Maurice Brownlee (Outstanding Healthcare Professional).
Among the national awardees included National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) Dr. David Johns (Outstanding Service, Male); Family Equality CEO and LGBTQ+ Advocate Stacey Stevenson (Outstanding Service, Female); Activist & Entrepreneur, Edward Cameron Pizarro III (Outstanding Service, Transgender); Activist & Community Engagement Expert, Deondre B. Moore (Future Leader); Queer Storyteller Alan Sharpe (Artistic Expression) Public Health/Social Justice Leader Stephaun Elite Wallace, Ph.D (Outstanding Healthcare Professional); and Ramon Morton, accepting for LGBT Detroit (Outstanding Social Services/CBO), the only national award winners in attendance.
Detroit Author and LGBTQ+Rights Advocate Michelle E. Brown hosted the event. Acceptance speeched can be found at TheEsteemAwards.com .
Photos by Shefflon Tidwell