Diversity Rules Magazine

8 | Diversity Rules Magazine | May 2023 Lansing Pride Celebrates Juneteenth By Joey Amato Joey Amato is the founder and publisher of Pride Journeys, an LGBTQ travel website and syndicated col- umn. For more LGBTQ travel ideas, please visit www.pridejour- neys.com. Lansing Pride, the com- munity-based non-profit organiza on in its second year of suppor ng the area's LGBTQIA+ commu- nity, will host the 2023 Lansing Pride Fes val in Old Town Lansing on Saturday, June 17. Building on its over 3000 a endees last year, this year will add more vendors, more performances, and expects an even larger crowd to at- tend. Like last year, the fes val is free to all and will feature live music and performances, as well as food from local vendors. The fes val will overlap with the 2023 Lansing Juneteenth Celebra on, allowing a endees to recognize the history and connec ons of Black and LGTBQIA+ com- muni es. "We want everyone to come together and celebrate who we are as a community," said Ben Dowd, President of Lansing Pride. "We work closely with the community and Lansing local businesses which results in a highly promoted and visible event," Dowd went on to say. "This year's event shares the weekend with the 517 Juneteenth Weekend, and we are proud to be working with them to align these two celebra ons." This year's 517 Juneteenth Weekend will include four days of events, musical acts, and community outreach from June 15th - 18th. "The large intersec on between the Pride community and the Black community will ben- efit the most from our sharing this weekend, and we are excited to be bringing together all humans under an um- brella of connec on and celebra on," said Mikeyy Aus n, Founder and Director at OURSpace, the group behind the 517 Juneteenth Weekend. Lansing Pride is excited to welcome all of our new and returning vendors, sponsors, and supporters represent- ing many parts of Lansing and the State of Michigan. "Vendors from last year are returning with a fervor that we are so excited to see, and spots are filling fast," said Linda Sarnelli, Director at Lansing Pride. Par es inter- ested in joining this year can find more informa on at the Lansing Pride website: h ps://www.lansingpride.org The Lansing Pride organiza on is supported by volunteers from all over the state. Nearly 150 people helped bring 2022 to its success last year, and this year the organiza- on has doubled its volunteer base. To find out more about volunteering with Lansing Pride, visit us at: h ps://www.lansingpride.org/volunteer And just in case you couldn't a end last year, the Lansing Pride Board recommends you remember your umbrella! About Lansing Pride As an organiza on, Lansing Pride's goal is to bring Lan- sing's independent LGBTQIA+ spaces together and foster a sense of love and true belonging. Lansing Pride was formed in 2021 out of the desire to both create a cohe- sive Lansing Pride Fes val and to build closer and more inten onal rela onships. With an ini al goal of having the first Lansing Pride Fes val in 2022, the community came together to make it an overwhelming success. The 2023 Lansing Pride Board includes local leaders from across industries with diverse specializa ons, and is build- ing on last year's successful inaugural fes val, an cipa ng thousands of a endees this year and even more memo- ries to last a life me. About 517 Juneteenth Weekend The 517 Juneteenth Weekend is a unique opportunity for the Mid-Michigan region to celebrate Black culture, ex- pression, and experiences. A rac ng thousands of par c- ipants to Lansing's REO Town Corridor, the 517 Juneteenth Weekend recognizes the emancipation of African- American slaves in the United States of America. Although Juneteenth has gained mainstream popularity in recent years, the celebra on of culture, expression, and experience is nothing new in the 517. Ourspace (517) works as a bridge that connects Black arts and culture to the Lansing community at-large, creates pla orms to promote Black-led businesses and entrepreneurship, provides high-quality programming that is free and accessible, and much more.

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