Atlanta Black Pride Weekend has announced the honorees of this year’s 10th annual Pure Heat Community Festival, as well as other events happening throughout the Labor Day weekend.
Sunday, September 4 starts with a morning worship service at 11am in Piedmont Park. The Vision Cathedral of Atlanta (Bishop O.C. Allen, III) presents this high-energy worship and communion experience for the entire Atlanta community. Immediately following the outdoor worship experience, will be the 10th annual Pure Heat Community Festival. Known as a free “day of unity,” the cultural event includes market and food vendors, live celebrity and local performers, entertainment, educational forums, prizes & giveaways – all designed to bring together the spirit of community, pride, and vision.
This year’s Pure Heat headliners are Joseline Hernandez (“Joseline’s Cabaret”), Kandi Burruss (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”) and Jussie Smollett (“Empire”). The festival will also honor these and other Black LGBTQ stars with several awards. Burruss will receive the annual Humanitarian award, Natalie Nunn (“BADDIES SOUTH”) will receive the brand-new Pioneer award, Stasha Sanchez (“Legendary”) will receive the annual ICON award, Hernandez will receive a Trailblazer award, and Smollett will receive the first-ever Alvin Ailey Trailblazer Award.
The weekend will also feature special appearances by Saucy Santana, Big Latto, Jhonni Blaze, Jerrie Johnson, and Melissa “DJ M” Scott.
Along with celebrity guests, Atlanta Black Pride Weekend will also be offering health information and services. The weekend officially kicks off on Thursday, September 1 with an Atlanta Black Pride Weekend Opening Reception, presented by the City of Atlanta and Mayor Andre Dickens. In partnership with various healthcare providers, HIV testing and information on official vaccination locations for monkeypox and COVID-19 will be disseminated among reception attendees. COVID-19 and monkeypox vaccination information and opportunities will be available during the Pure Heat festival, as well.
The weekend also includes the first-ever Black Excellence Influencers Dinner on Friday, September 2 at the Starling Hotel and the inaugural Atlanta Black Pride Weekend Film Festival on Saturday, September 3 at IPIC Theaters in Midtown, a free all-day festival featuring independent LGBTQ films; screenings of Mixed Girl, Black and Porn, and B-Boy Blues; and more. Free registration for the festival is available at pridefilmfest.org.
For more information on the weekend’s events, visit atlantaprideweekend.com. A portion of proceeds from the festivities will benefit homeless LGBTQ+ youth and those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS via The Vision Community Foundation.