Black Pride RVA Goes Virtual

Black Pride RVA kicks off online this Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m. with a series of virtual events that can be found on the organization’s Facebook and Instagram.

Friday, July 17, 2020, 7 p.m.

On Friday, the annual Black Pride RVA Awards, the Root Awards, and the Rodney Lofton Award, will be presented beginning at 7 p.m. and will be hosted by iPower 92.1's Chelsea Lemore.

Distinguished Root Awards recipients this year include:

LaTia Daniels for her achievements in education and entrepreneurship as an RPS teacher at Huguenot High School and founder of Auntie Academy and at home STEM education series.

Ida Allen for her achievements in social action with Richmond Action Allowance who are leading marches, facilitating community conversations, registering voters, and making sure protestors have water, first aid and snacks.

Jasmine Leeward is being recognized for social justice as a community organizer and future filmmaker who uses the power of culture, history, and community to talk about power, class, and the concept of home. In Richmond, she uses multiple forms of storytelling to help people see each other better. She is a member of Southerners On New Ground, helped form the Richmond Transparency and Accountability Project, and is a co-founder of Richmond For All.

Donte McCutchen an RVA faith leader and inclusive pastor being recognized for his faith in action.

The Rodney Lofton Award will be awarded to Alexsis Rogers:

Alexsis Rogers is a civic leader, organizer, and candidate for Richmond mayor. For the past eight years, Alexsis has been on the front lines advocating for economic security, voting rights, college affordability, and quality health care. She currently is the Virginia state director for Care in Action, the policy and advocacy home for two million women domestic workers. This year, she led the way in making Virginia the first Southern state to pass labor protections for domestic workers, including nannies, cleaners, and home healthcare workers.

Previously, Alexsis worked at Planned Parenthood in Richmond where she played a key role in achieving Medicaid expansion and increasing birth control access. And as Policy Director for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, she shaped the legislative agenda to place particular emphasis on reproductive justice, behavioral health, and early childhood education.

Outside of her communications and policy work, Alexsis is the Board Chair of Emerge Virginia, former President of the Virginia Young Democrats and former Virginia Pride Board Member. She has also volunteered as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Richmond. Alexsis is a VCU grad and avid Rams basketball fan.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

11 a.m. Day of Purpose & Virtual Pride Market

Day of Purpose will feature an educational panel discussing the intersectionality of being Black and Gay in today's world. Immediately following the Day of Purpose event will be the Black Pride Marketplace featuring local LGBTQ and allied entrepreneurs.