Yesterday, NYC’s annual Pride Parade was held in the heart of the West Village, drawing out a mixed-generational crowd of LGBTQ members and allies in celebration, unity and solidarity. The parade beginning around W 10th Street and ending at the historic Stone Wall Inn, the community gathered in great numbers to pay tribute to the lives lost in Orlando’s massacre this past month in addition to others lost from gun violence fueled by hate crime throughout the year.
Thereafter, I decided to split my time covering the NYC Pride Parade and trekked over to Brooklyn for CURLFEST in Prospect Park. Organized by the Curly Girl Collective, the event is in it’s 3rd year and was truly what it lived up to be – “a mecca of afros, twist-outs, curls (and beards!) set to a soundtrack of positive energy”. With coverage by Centric TV and a world-class marketplace featuring the industry’s biggest names in natural beauty like Shea Moisture, Cantu, Ouidad, and Dove. Add the sounds from featured DJ’s like Kitty Cash, Dylanthegypsy and Twelve45, and the afternoon was transformed by the pure energy, love and joy of sisterhood.
My black and queer identity truly met and danced on this spirited Sunday, leading me to capture the following scenes, faces and personalities of each community that continue to provide their members with inclusive space to be well and embrace their authentic selves.
Check out my favorite shots from the day below:
All photos by:
Support your neighbors, build with your community.™
BLACK CONGOLESE 