State of Black Gay America Summit
For the fourth year in a row, Xtreme Entertainment joins in the community spirit, hosting the in-depth State of Black Gay America Summit on Saturday, Sept. 4.
This year’s theme is “Our People, Our Struggle, Our Community” and the keynote speaker is Sharon Lettman, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, a national group focused on African-Americans and LGBT issues. Tickets to the luncheon are $35, while attendance at just the summit discussions is free.
In addition to Lettman, panelists include Chase Andrew, graduate of Georgia State; Adolph St. Arrromand of AID Atlanta; Paula Frew of the Emory Hope Clinic; sociologist Sandra Lawson of Community College of Baltimore County – Essex; Tracee McDaniel of Juxtaposed Center for Transformation; Atlanta Police Department LGBT Liaison Patricia Powell; Jeshawna Wholley of Afrekete at Spelman College; actor and model DeMarco Majors; author Dwight Allen O’Neal; actor and filmmaker Maurice Jamal and Nikki Young, a Ph.D. candidate at Emory University.
State of Black Gay America Summit
Saturday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel
3405 Lenox Road
Atlanta, GA 30326
www.sbgasummit.org
NAESM Prevention Pool Party
National AIDS Education Services & Minorities, the Atlanta-based agency that celebrates 20 years, hosts the Prevention Pool Party in collaboration with In the Life Atlanta, Traxx and Wassup N Atl.
The event at the Piedmont Park aquatic center features free HIV testing. To draw crowds and keep the mood fun, it also features a performance by “American Idol” alum Frenchie Davis and a cover model shoot and a $1,000 hot body contest.
“I want all participants to have a good time; most importantly, we want everyone to be tested as HIV/AIDS is still affecting our community at alarming rates,” says Rudolph Carn, NAESM founder and CEO.
NAESM Prevention Pool Party
Sunday, Sept. 5, 4-11 p.m.
Piedmont Park Greystone & Aquatic Center
400 Park Drive N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306
www.naesm.org
In the Life Atlanta workshops and events
This year, In the Live Atlanta — the non-profit, official organizers of Black Gay Pride — offers five days of events, which kicked off on a reflective note with a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, Sept. 1, honoring Durand Robinson and other community members who have passed away.
Official ITLA events continue throughout the weekend at the sold-out Loews Hotel. The offerings — some free, some with ticket prices ranging to $35 — are designed to embrace mind, body and spirit.
“There is much more to this weekend than meets the eye,” he says.
Friday’s ITLA schedule ranges from informative, like the all-day Black Pride Marketplace, to racy, with the annual SpeakFire night of erotic poetry.
Saturday’s events include a free health expo in which participants can take advantage of health tests, including rapid HIV testing, that are valued at over $1,500.
Highlights for Saturday also include a community luncheon, workshops, a literary café, and the “See Us in the Life” film festival.
Sunday features the jazz brunch, interfaith service with Pastor Troy Sanders and the “Make Me Over” Pride fashion show.
In the Life Atlanta
www.inthelifeatl.com
Top photo: Sharon Lettman-Hicks, head of the National Black Justice Coalition, is the keynote speaker at the SBGA Summit. (courtesy NBJC)