In celebration of Black History Month, the Los Angeles LGBT Center will host The Future is Black: Be The Revolution on Saturday, February 23, from 2–8 p.m. at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Hollywood. The free event will include award presentations, art exhibit, resource fair, dinner, and live performances by Rayvon Owen, Tish Hyman, Mike Xavier, Malachi Maisha, Brian Hackett, Ebonee Bryant, among others, with special guest DJ Benjamin Walker. The art exhibit Unbound will feature works by Dalton Ellis,Christen Austin, Tsasia Mercado, and Marie Jose.
Center youth member Florence Franklin will be honored with the Marsha P. Johnson Award, an accolade given to a burgeoning community activist. Actress and singer Alexandra Grey will be saluted with the Bayard Rustin Award for her prominence in advancing the social movement of black and LGBT rights. Ebony Sage Circle, one of the Center’s Senior Services social groups, will receive the inaugural Freedom Riders Award, given to an organization or group that strives to do outstanding and impactful work in the black community.
“At a time when many Americans believe discrimination and racial profiling makes our country great again, it is important to provide a space for LGBT and black communities to uplift and inspire each other,” said Melantha Hodge, the Center’s strategic partnership manager and co-chair of this year’s event.
Chase Torrence, the Center’s content manager and event co-chair added: “To achieve equality and justice for all, we must look to our history—to those who were revolutionary against racism—in order to awaken the revolutionary leaders of today and the future.”
Participants of the resource fair include: the Center’s Community Health Programs, Health Services, LifeWorks,RISE, Senior Services, Trans Wellness Center, and Youth Center; Black Lesbians United; Minority AIDS Project; PATH (People Assisting The Homeless); Stuzo Clothing; Volunteers of America; and Year Up.
Complimentary dinner and beverages will be provided.
WHAT:
The Future is Black: Be The Revolution
The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s day-long community celebration in honor of Black History Month, filled with award presentations, live performances, art exhibit, resource fair, dinner, and more.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 23
2–8 p.m.
Schedule of Events:
2 p.m. Doors open
3–5 p.m. Ceremony
5–6:30 p.m. Dinner, Art Exhibit, Resource Fair
6:30–8 p.m. Social Mixer
WHERE:
Los Angeles LGBT Center
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza
1125 N. McCadden Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
NOTE: During construction of the Center’s new facility directly across the street from The Village, parking is limited. Please allow extra time to find street parking or choose public transportation or a rideshare service.
COST: FREE
For more information and a full rundown of events, visit lalgbtcenter.org/betherevolution.