Council Member Stevens urges support for Black Pride Month resolution
Council Member Althea V. Stevens thanks Deputy Speaker Williams and colleagues, then speaks in support of Resolution 606 declaring August Black Pride Month. She traces New York City Black Pride to James Sanders in August 1997, notes the Bronx connection through Lee Soldiers and the inaugural Bronx Black Pride celebration, and shares a personal connection through her late uncle.
Thank you, Deputy Speaker Williams.
And all of my colleagues for recognizing the importance of two resolutions and for understanding that recognizing is not simply about placing a name on a calendar.
It is about honoring history, culture, and the people who have helped shape New York City.
First, I am proud to support Resolution 606 declaring August as Black Pride Month in New York City.
As a representative of the West Bronx, this resolution carries a particular meaning for me.
Black Pride has a history that is deeply connected to New York City.
The first New York City Black Pride event was organized by James Sanders in August 1997, creating a space where Black LGBTQ...
IA plus New Yorkers could celebrate their identity, culture, community, and resilience.
And that history continues to have a strong Bronx connection.
Lee Soldiers, a Bronx native, later founded the New York City for Black Pride, which was continuing organizing Black Pride celebrations.
We are recognizing a movement in a community that has helped expand what inclusion is.
And visibility and belonging looks like in our city.
This year, we are proud to bring the celebration of Black Pride through its inaugural Black Pride celebration that we held in the Bronx.
That was a powerful reminder that the borough is not only a part of this history, but continues to help shape the future.
And I was very proud because my uncle who passed away, who I was very close with, he would celebrate Black Pride.
So I'm really excited that we're passing this today.