Title
Proclamation - Charlotte Black Pride Week & Charlotte Pride Week (Chair Jerrell)
Action
ACTION:
Adopt a proclamation proclaiming July 11-18, 2026 as Charlotte Black Pride Week and August 7-16, 2026 as Charlotte Pride Week
Commission Contact: Chair Mark D. Jerrell
Read By: Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell
Presentation: Yes
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Mecklenburg County is home to a vibrant and diverse community, among which are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) citizens and residents. Charlotte's first Pride events were held in 1981 and the ensuing decades inspired the creation of Charlotte Pride in 2000. Charlotte Black Pride was founded in 2005 with the mission to promote LGBTQ pride primarily for, but not limited to, members of the Black community while building social awareness, embracing spirituality and celebrating the diversity that exists within our community. Each July, Black members of the LGBTQ community and their allies gather to celebrate the history, culture, achievements, aspirations, and dreams during Charlotte Black Pride Week and this year's celebration is “Blaqtivism: You Belong Here”. This August, Charlotte Pride will celebrate its 45th anniversary of Pride events in Mecklenburg County. The Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade is the largest LGBTQ community event in the American Southeast, second only to Atlanta, and the largest annual parade in Mecklenburg County, contributing millions of dollars in economic impact each year.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
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POLICY IMPACT:
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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