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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026 • CONRAD WASHINGTON, DC

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY & CULTURE

BET PROUDLY SUPPORTS CENTER FOR BLACK EQUITY IN ITS MISSION TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES, ADVANCE EQUITY AND CELEBRATE THE POWER, PRIDE AND POSSIBILITIES OF BLACK PEOPLE.

MEDIA GROUP

WHERE BLACK DREAMS FLOURISH

The Center for Black Equity The Center for Black Equity is a global coalition dedicated to advancing equity and social justice for Black LGBTQ+ people. Through partnerships with community-based organizations, Pride networks and allies, CBE works to strengthen health equity, expand economic opportunity and advance policies that support Black LGBTQ+ communities. From DC Black Pride to our national and global Pride networks, CBE creates opportunities for connection, advocacy and leadership. Our work supports emerging leaders, strengthens Black Pride organizations and ensures Black LGBTQ+ communities have a voice in the decisions that affect our lives.

BE. Gala BE. Gala is the Center for Black Equity’s signature celebration of Black LGBTQ+ brilliance, leadership and liberation. Launched in 2025, the gala brings our community together to recognize people and organizations making an impact through their work, leadership and creativity. BE. is not an acronym. It is an affirmation of something simple and powerful: the freedom to be fully and authentically ourselves. To BE. seen. To BE. celebrated. To BE. heard. To BE. supported. That idea is at the heart of the Center for Black Equity’s work. For more than two decades, CBE has worked alongside Black LGBTQ+ communities to advance health equity, economic opportunity and social justice. BE. Gala celebrates that legacy, recognizes those moving the work forward today and helps sustain what comes next. BE.

PRESENTING PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNERS

VOICE BUILDER

CHANGEMAKERS

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTORS

Welcome to the 2026 BE. Gala. Tonight is an opportunity to celebrate Black LGBTQ+ leadership, creativity and community. It is also a moment to recognize the work that has made gatherings like this possible. Generations before us organized, built institutions, created Black Prides and made space where none existed before. That legacy continues through the people and organizations we recognize tonight. Their work reminds us that leadership takes many forms and happens throughout our communities. It also reminds us that recognition must be matched by meaningful support. Representation matters. Power matters more. Black LGBTQ+ organizations, businesses, leaders, artists and advocates deserve sustained investment, not only when our communities are in crisis, but because their work strengthens our communities every day. Each of us has a role in protecting what has been built and creating what comes next. We can support our institutions, invest in our communities and make room for the generation coming behind us. In doing so, we honor our history while helping shape our future. To our honorees, thank you for demonstrating leadership through your work and service. To our sponsors, partners, supporters and guests, thank you for supporting the Center for Black Equity and the communities we serve. Your presence tonight helps strengthen the work that continues long after this celebration ends. We have inherited an extraordinary legacy. What we build now will help determine what we leave behind. Thank you for being part of the 2026 BE. Gala. Kenya Hutton, MPH President and CEO Center for Black Equity

Dear friends, family and supporters, Welcome to the 2026 BE. Gala. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Center for Black Equity, thank you for being here tonight. Whether you have been with us since the earliest days of the International Federation of Black Prides or are experiencing BE. Gala for the first time, you are part of a community committed to ensuring that Black LGBTQ+ people can live fully, freely and joyfully. BE. is not an acronym. It is a charge to show up as we are and to help create a world where everyone in our community can do the same. Dr. Ron Simmons understood that Black LGBTQ+ people need strong institutions that protect our history, develop leadership and create opportunities for us to thrive. That work continues through DC Black Pride, our network of Black Prides, public health programs, advocacy and community leadership. This year, we also honor the life and legacy of Bishop Kwabena Rainey Cheeks. His vision helped create spaces where Black same-gender-loving people could gather, heal and be whole. We carry that work forward alongside the contributions of the many people who built the institutions and communities we benefit from today. To our 2026 honorees, thank you for the advocacy, service and leadership that brought us together to recognize you tonight. To our sponsors, led by presenting sponsor Gilead, and to our Host Committee, partners and volunteers, thank you for making this evening possible. Every ticket, table and gift helps sustain the Center for Black Equity’s work throughout the year. I also thank our president and CEO, Kenya Hutton, and the CBE staff for their continued commitment to our community. Enjoy the evening and celebrate the people and work represented in this room. With pride and gratitude, Carmen J. Neely Chair, Board of Directors Center for Black Equity

Good evening, and welcome to the 2026 BE. Gala. It has been a privilege to serve as co-chairs of this year’s Host Committee. We accepted this role because we wanted tonight to reflect the breadth of our community: elders and emerging leaders, organizers and artists, Pride builders, public health leaders, friends and allies gathered to celebrate Black LGBTQ+ people and the work happening across our communities. Tonight is possible because of many people. We are grateful to our fellow Host Committee members for giving their time, relationships and creativity to this effort. We thank our sponsors for their support, the Center for Black Equity staff and volunteers for bringing the evening together, and each of you for being here. We also want to keep the purpose of this evening in view. BE. Gala helps sustain the Center for Black Equity’s work throughout the year, including its support of Black Prides, health and wellness initiatives and leadership development. That work continues well beyond tonight. We hope you will support it. Make a gift if you are able, stay connected to CBE and continue supporting the organizations and leaders doing this work in communities across the country and around the world. Tonight, congratulate our honorees, enjoy the people around you and take the opportunity to make a new connection. We are grateful to celebrate with you. With pride and gratitude, Carmen J. Neely Host Committee Co-Chair Co-Founder, President & CEO, Harlem Pride Letoi Williams Host Committee Co-Chair Deputy Director, Volunteer Leadership, Human Rights Campaign

BE. GALA CO-HOST

Anthony Oakes

Lolita Leopard Miyake-Mugler

Anthony Oakes is a writer, stand-up comedian, host and actor known for quick wit, strong storytelling and an ability to connect with a room. His comedy has taken him to some of the country’s best-known stages, including the Apollo Theater, Howard Theatre and Kennedy Center.

Lolita Leopard Miyake-Mugler is a legendary figure in ballroom, with a presence that extends across the ballroom, model troupe and KiKi scenes. Known for her runway prowess and unmistakable performance style, she has earned recognition as a hall of famer, legend and icon of runway.

Whether performing stand-up or hosting a live event, Oakes brings sharp comedic timing and an easy energy that keeps audiences engaged. His work feels personal and immediate, finding humor in the moment while making audiences feel part of the conversation.

Lolita is also a music artist whose voice and sound have become part of ballroom culture, making her one of the scene’s most requested performers. She reached an even wider audience as a member of the House of Juicy Couture on Season 3 of HBO Max’s Legendary, which the house ultimately won.

The BE. Experience PERFORMANCE Myles Jéh OPENING REMARKS Anthony Oakes and Lolita Leopard | BE. Gala Co-Hosts WELCOME Kenya Hutton | President and CEO, Center for Black Equity AWARD PRESENTATIONS National Black Pride Image Award Ruth Ellis Community Impact Award Unsung Hero Award Curtis L. Etherly Jr. Ally Award SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT BET DINNER AWARD PRESENTATIONS Center for Black Equity Small Business Award Trans Power in Media Award Earline Budd Transgender Leadership Award Center for Black Equity Leadership Award Bishop Kwabena Rainey Cheeks Spiritual & Community Leadership Award Welmore Cook Advocacy & Service Award Ernest Hopkins Public Health Leadership Award Eleanor Holmes Norton Civil Rights & Justice Award CALL FOR SUPPORT Kenya Hutton | President and CEO, Center for Black Equity BE. Gala Host Committee AWARD PRESENTATIONS BE. Icon Award CLOSING REMARKS Kenya Hutton | President and CEO, Center for Black Equity Anthony Oakes and Lolita Leopard | BE. Gala Co-Hosts

Justin N. Stewart is an Emmy-winning multimedia journalist, producer, host and digital storyteller whose work has centered visibility and representation. A Washington, D.C., native and graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Stewart has built a career across broadcast, digital and entertainment media. He currently produces and edits content for NBC Washington’s morning show, News4 Today, where he also coordinates interviews and develops news coverage. Stewart has been especially intentional about using journalism to bring Black LGBTQ+ people and stories into greater public view. His reporting has highlighted authors, artists, activists and community leaders while documenting moments that shape LGBTQ+ life throughout the Washington metropolitan area. His work has included coverage of Black Pride, transgender visibility, HIV/AIDS awareness and the opening of D.C.’s LGBTQIA+ Community Center.

NATIONAL BLACK PRIDE IMAGE AWARD

Justin N. Stewart

That commitment is also reflected in the conversations Stewart has created for television. He conceived and produced a Transgender Day of Visibility panel featuring community voices discussing representation and visibility, then developed an “Out in Media” Pride panel featuring D.C.-based LGBTQ+ media personalities. His reporting has also documented the history and cultural influence of D.C.’s Ballroom community and profiled leaders who have expanded Black LGBTQ+ representation in media and public life. Beyond the newsroom, Stewart has worked as a live host and moderator for arts and community events, including the D.C. Mayor’s Arts Awards, Miss Earth USA, the Literary Arts Awards and the Capital Pride Audacity Brunch. In 2026, Stewart received his first Emmy Award and was recognized by D.C. Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker as an influential Black LGBTQ+ leader. Parker later introduced the “Justin Stewart Recognition Resolution of 2026,” recognizing Stewart’s contributions to local media and community life. Stewart has also used his platform to create greater access and visibility for emerging journalists and creatives of color while continuing to document Black queer culture with context and care.

In Our Own Voices, Inc. works to strengthen the lives and voices of LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous and people of color communities. Based in Albany, New York, IOOV is committed to the physical, mental, spiritual, political, cultural and economic survival and growth of LGBTQ+ people of color. Its work also focuses on developing community leadership and strengthening the ability of LGBTQ+ BIPOC people to confront oppression and marginalization. IOOV puts that mission into practice through direct services that support the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ BIPOC people throughout New York’s Capital Region. Community members can access advocacy, counseling and emotional support, emergency assistance, HIV and hepatitis C testing and connections to additional resources. The organization also creates opportunities for social support and community connection through programs and events designed around the needs of the people it serves. The organization also provides training and technical assistance to service providers, community organizations and individuals working with LGBTQ+ BIPOC communities. That work is designed to strengthen cultural competency and inclusive practices while giving professionals better tools to serve and advocate for communities whose experiences are too often overlooked. IOOV’s systems-level advocacy focuses on equity, dignity and justice. Its work addresses systemic inequities and supports environments in which LGBTQ+ BIPOC people can live authentically without discrimination or violence. Community visibility remains an important part of that work. In 2026, IOOV marked the 20th anniversary of BIPOC Pride, a month of events and activities centered on the lives, experiences and contributions of LGBTQ+ communities of color in the Capital Region and beyond.

RUTH ELLIS COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

In Our Own Voices, Inc.

Nikki Alexander, professionally known as Nikki LaShaè, is a nonprofit leader and community strategist whose work is rooted in health equity, LGBTQ+ liberation and social justice. She is the founder and executive director of New Orleans Black Pride, which she established in 2020 to center the experiences and needs of Black LGBTQ+ communities in New Orleans and beyond. Under her leadership, the organization has grown into a community institution connecting advocacy with direct support and opportunities for Black queer people. Through New Orleans Black Pride, Alexander has helped develop programs addressing HIV prevention, harm reduction, youth empowerment and wellness. The organization’s initiatives include the Harm Reduction Futures Fund, Community Giving Fund and Technology Education for Queer Youth, along with scholarship and resource programs designed to invest directly in Black queer communities. This approach pairs public advocacy with tangible support for people navigating everyday challenges.

UNSUNG HERO AWARD

Nikki Alexander

Alexander’s advocacy also reaches beyond New Orleans. She has served in leadership and advisory roles within the HIV response, including as a member of the U.S. Fast-Track Cities Advisory Board. She has contributed to national and international conversations focused on HIV, stigma, sexual health and LGBTQ+ health equity, bringing community experience into spaces where programs and priorities are shaped. Alexander also founded The Circle of S.H.E., Sisterhood. Healing. Evolution., an initiative focused on the whole wellness of Black women. Through conversations and experiences centered on health, sexual wellness and healing, the initiative creates opportunities for connection and community. Her broader professional work includes more than 20 years of experience spanning communications, event production, project management and nonprofit leadership. She also mentors emerging leaders and creates opportunities for young people, with a particular focus on helping Black LGBTQ+ communities thrive and lead.

Marlene McNeese is a public health leader and HIV advocate whose career has focused on health equity and community-centered public health. She serves as deputy assistant director of the Houston Health Department’s Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, where she provides executive leadership for initiatives addressing HIV, sexually transmitted infections and viral hepatitis. Since beginning her tenure with the department in 2004, McNeese has worked to strengthen prevention and care systems while ensuring that communities most affected by HIV have a meaningful voice in the policies and programs intended to serve them. McNeese’s leadership extends beyond Houston. She has served as chair of the Houston Area Ryan White Planning Council and co-chair of the Houston HIV Prevention Community Planning Group. Nationally, she has served as board chair of NASTAD and co-chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, bringing the experiences and priorities of local communities into national discussions about HIV prevention, treatment and policy. Throughout her career, McNeese has emphasized that health outcomes are inseparable from the social and structural conditions affecting people’s lives. Her work has centered dignity, racial equity and community voice, particularly for people living with or vulnerable to HIV. She has championed collaboration with Black-led community organizations and called attention to systemic barriers that continue to contribute to disparities in Black communities. Among her significant accomplishments, McNeese co-created Hip Hop for HIV, a large-scale HIV testing initiative. She also helped create a national model for routine HIV testing in clinical settings and hospitals, an effort that resulted in more than 1 million Texans being tested during its first two years. Her commitment to equity also includes mentoring emerging public health professionals and creating opportunities for the next generation to develop their leadership capacity.

CURTIS L. ETHERLY JR. ALLY AWARD

Marlene McNeese

The FreeLux Project is a community-driven nonprofit organization advancing health equity while creating affirming spaces for Black LGBTQ+ communities and others disproportionately affected by HIV. Founded in 2020 by President and CEO Nathaniel Holley, the Dallasbased organization approaches health and wellness as something that extends beyond clinical care. Its work uses community engagement, education and culturally relevant programming to make HIV prevention and sexual health information more accessible and connected to people’s lived experiences. The organization connects community members with information and resources related to HIV testing, prevention, PrEP, treatment and access to care. Its work also addresses sexual health and mental wellness, with particular attention to communities that continue to experience health disparities and barriers to culturally responsive care. Rather than separating health education from the communities it is intended to serve, The FreeLux Project builds programming around identity, culture and connection.

CENTER FOR BLACK EQUITY SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

The FreeLux Project

That approach is reflected in programs such as its signature Butch Queen’s Brunch, stigma-reduction summits and community connection events. The organization has also developed ballroomfocused programming, women’s health initiatives and community ambassador programs. These efforts create settings where education and support can be delivered in ways that feel relevant to the people participating while preserving space for joy and authentic community connection. Partnership is another important part of The FreeLux Project’s work. The organization collaborates with community-based organizations, health care providers and public health agencies to strengthen local health networks and reduce barriers to services. It also works with advocates and community leaders to elevate community voices and develop new approaches to HIV prevention and health equity. Since 2020, The FreeLux Project has brought health education into community spaces while connecting people with care, information and support.

Monroe Alise is an award-winning writer, actress and activist whose work brings Black trans visibility into entertainment, digital media and public conversation. With roots in the Washington, D.C., area and a career that spans acting, authorship and advocacy, Alise has built a platform centered on authentic representation and the power of people to define themselves on their own terms. Her acting credits include P-Valley, The Chi and Fighting To Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story, where her performances have brought depth to complex stories and characters. Alise has expanded that work through writing with the publication of I’m CLOCKABLE: Becoming Who the World Could Never Define, a manifesto shaped by her lived experience and focused on self-definition in the face of expectations imposed by others. Beyond the screen and page, Alise has used her visibility to advance conversations about health equity, LGBTQ+ representation and social change. She was among the first transgender women to perform at the White House during the Obama administration’s Transgender Community Briefing and later served as keynote speaker for Washington, D.C.’s Transgender Day of Remembrance. Her advocacy has also connected her with public health initiatives, community organizations and national campaigns working to expand access and opportunity for historically underserved communities. As a digital creator and host, Alise has developed an audience around storytelling that blends humor with direct conversations about identity and lived experience. Her viral series, “Unclockable,” explores the intersectional experiences of Black trans and cis women, creating space for conversations about confidence, wellness and safety. The series also gives Alise a platform to challenge narrow representations of transgender people and show the range of experiences within Black communities.

TRANS POWER IN MEDIA AWARD

Monroe Alise

Tori Cooper is a public health advocate, educator and longtime leader whose work has advanced equity for transgender people and people living with HIV. She serves as director of strategic outreach and training at the Human Rights Campaign and is the founder and executive director of Advocates for Better Care Atlanta, a grassroots organization focused on education and empowerment for transgender communities and people living with HIV. An HBCU alumna, Cooper holds a bachelor’s degree in human services and a master’s degree in public health with a focus on health disparities in marginalized communities. She brings more than 35 years of experience in the HIV field, with work spanning community service, capacity building, training and public education. That experience has positioned her as both a practitioner and a national voice on the intersection of HIV, health equity and transgender advocacy.

EARLINE BUDD TRANSGENDER LEADERSHIP AWARD

Tori Cooper

Cooper is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention subject matter expert, certified master trainer and facilitator. She also coauthored TWIST, the CDC’s first intervention developed specifically for transgender women. Her expertise has led to consulting work with the National Institutes of Health, Gilead Sciences, ViiV Healthcare, Merck Pharmaceuticals and the CDC, among other national institutions. Her leadership has also reached the federal level. In August 2021, Cooper became the first Black transgender woman appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, known as PACHA. The appointment brought a Black transgender perspective into a national advisory body addressing HIV prevention, treatment and policy. Cooper continues to connect transgender advocacy with public health practice, using education and community knowledge to expand access and strengthen visibility in spaces where decisions affecting transgender people are made.

Darryl G. Moore is a public servant and community leader whose work has centered civic participation, equity and Black LGBTQ+ leadership. He currently serves as vice mayor of Manassas Park, Virginia, and as board chair of the National Black Justice Collective, a national organization dedicated to advancing justice, equity and opportunity for Black LGBTQ+ and same-gender-loving people and their families. Moore’s public service spans more than two decades and two states. Before serving in Virginia, he spent 12 years as an elected member of the Berkeley City Council in California and four years as an elected trustee of the Peralta Community College District. In Manassas Park, his work has included advancing nondiscrimination protections and affordable and workforce housing. He also introduced legislation that led the city to fly the Progress Pride Flag at city properties. His civic leadership extends to regional issues affecting communities across Northern Virginia. Moore represents Manassas Park through regional organizations, including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission. Through these roles, he has worked on issues involving regional cooperation, transportation and economic opportunity. Through the National Black Justice Collective, Moore has focused on strengthening Black LGBTQ+ leadership and increasing opportunities for people whose voices have historically been underrepresented in public life. He is particularly committed to developing the next generation of Black LGBTQ+ leaders and elected officials and to ensuring that communities have meaningful power in shaping the policies and institutions that affect them. Moore also serves on the board of the Good Trouble Network and as national treasurer of the National Friendship Movement.

CENTER FOR BLACK EQUITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Darryl G. Moore

Rev. Dr. Carmarion D. Anderson is an ordained minister, faith leader and advocate whose ministry centers the full inclusion and flourishing of marginalized communities. She serves as minister for congregational leadership with the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ in Cleveland, Ohio. Her work brings together faith and public advocacy, grounded in a theological commitment to justice, liberation and the transformative love of God. Before entering her current role, Anderson served as Alabama state director for the Human Rights Campaign, where she became the first transgender person of color to hold a senior leadership role in the organization’s history. In that position, she worked with local and national leaders to advance equity and helped bring the experiences of transgender people and other marginalized communities into policy conversations.

BISHOP KWABENA RAINEY CHEEKS SPIRITUAL & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Rev. Dr. Carmarion D. Anderson

Anderson’s ministry extends across several faith and community organizations. She is ordained through The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and serves as national administrator for TransSaints of TFAM. She also serves as national strategy director of faith-based and wellness initiatives for the National Trans Visibility March. In congregational ministry, Anderson is an associate pastor at First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Birmingham, Alabama, following nearly two decades of ministry at Living Faith Covenant Church in Dallas. Her leadership has also brought faith and transgender visibility into national public conversations. Anderson has appeared in documentaries and major media, including CNN’s United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell. Her public witness was also featured in an Emmy Award-winning interview with Dyllón Burnside in the documentary Prideland. These platforms have allowed her to speak about faith, justice and human dignity while challenging narratives that too often place LGBTQ+ identity and religious life in opposition. Anderson studied human services, mission and ministry/theology at the University of the Cumberlands and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in recognition of her ministry and public witness.

Bishop Steven Sawyer is a public health executive and faith leader whose work connects community care with institutional leadership. Based in Seattle, he holds leadership roles with PNW Black Pride and Cancer Lifeline. His career is grounded in health equity and a commitment to leading institutions that serve people and communities with dignity. Sawyer currently serves as executive director of Cancer Lifeline, a Washington organization with a 50-year legacy of supporting people living with and surviving cancer. The organization also serves caregivers, families and the clinicians who care for them. His leadership there brings his public health experience into an organization focused on helping people navigate cancer with access to community and support. His work also reaches into Black LGBTQ+ community life through PNW Black Pride, placing health equity alongside visibility and community connection. Across his public health, institutional and faith roles, Sawyer has focused on how organizations can create more responsive and affirming communities. This recognition carries particular meaning following the recent passing of Bishop Kwabena Rainey Cheeks. Sawyer described receiving an award bearing Bishop Cheeks’ name at this moment as both humbling and deeply personal. He sees the recognition as an opportunity not simply to acknowledge his own work, but to honor Bishop Cheeks’ ministry, courage and commitment.

BISHOP KWABENA RAINEY CHEEKS SPIRITUAL & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Bishop Steven Sawyer

Courtney R. Snowden is a government relations professional and longtime advocate whose career has focused on expanding opportunity and strengthening the voices of communities too often excluded from public decision-making. A sixth-generation Washingtonian, she is the founder and president of The Blueprint Strategy Group, a Washington, D.C.based government and public affairs firm. Her work draws on decades of experience across government, nonprofit advocacy and public policy. Snowden’s commitment to service has included leadership within her hometown government. In 2015, she was appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser as Washington, D.C.’s deputy mayor for greater economic opportunity, a position focused on communities that had been overlooked in the city’s economic growth. During her tenure, she worked on workforce development, small-business support and efforts designed to create greater economic opportunity for District residents.

WELMORE COOK ADVOCACY & SERVICE AWARD

Courtney R. Snowden

Her advocacy career began well before her service in District government. Snowden worked in the office of then-U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin before serving at the Human Rights Campaign and later as federal and national policy manager for GLSEN, where she advocated for policies addressing discrimination and bullying of LGBTQ+ students. At GLSEN, her work included expanding the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program’s focus on anti-bullying efforts across the country. Snowden later served as senior lobbyist for the National PTA, directing federal advocacy and helping mobilize its membership around education policy. She also chaired the National Coalition for Public Education, which brought together education, civil rights and faith-based organizations around public education policy. As a principal at The Raben Group, she continued that work through government relations and coalition-building for nonprofit and corporate clients. Her career has moved between grassroots organizing, national advocacy and local government, with a consistent focus on representation, civic participation and access to opportunity.

Clover Barnes is a nurse executive and public health leader with more than two decades of experience in health care and public health. She serves as senior deputy director of the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STI and TB Administration at DC Health, where her leadership has focused on strengthening the District’s response to HIV and expanding access to prevention and care. Under Barnes’ leadership, Washington, D.C., has achieved an 86% reduction in new HIV transmissions, from 1,374 in 2007 to 182 in 2025. She has also expanded HAHSTA’s reach through partnerships and workforce development programs serving LGBTQ+ communities. Her work has created additional points of access to care through mobile and pop-up clinics at community events, Pride celebrations, Balls and other gatherings across the District. Before becoming senior deputy director, Barnes served as bureau chief for care and treatment, overseeing the DC Eligible Metropolitan Area Ryan White programs and helping lead the District’s Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. Her career has included clinical and administrative leadership in nursing, pediatric infectious disease care and ambulatory health services. She also previously served as chief operating officer of a Federally Qualified Health Center. Barnes holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in health care administration from the University of Phoenix. She has also completed advanced leadership and management training at Marquette University, Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University. Her alma mater recognized her as its Alumna of the Year in 2018 and inducted her into the MSOE Wall of Distinction in 2023, the university’s highest recognition for alumni achievement. Barnes is a past board chair of NASTAD and continues to serve on its board of directors. She also serves on the board of Cardea Services.

ERNEST HOPKINS PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP AWARD

Clover Barnes

Texas State Rep. Venton C. Jones is a public servant, nonprofit executive and community advocate whose career has focused on health equity, civil rights and economic opportunity. Elected in November 2022 to represent House District 100 in Dallas County, Jones became one of the first openly Black gay lawmakers in Texas history and the nation’s first openly HIV-positive state legislator. In the Texas House, Jones serves as whip of the House Democratic Caucus and vice chair of the Texas LGBTQ Caucus and the House Committee on Corrections. He also serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, including the Article II Subcommittee responsible for funding Texas Health and Human Services agencies. Through his legislative work, Jones has addressed health care access, public education, criminal justice reform and economic issues affecting working families.

ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON CIVIL RIGHTS & JUSTICE AWARD Texas State Representative

Venton C. Jones

His work has also placed civil rights and LGBTQ+ equality at the center of his public service. As vice chair of the Texas LGBTQ Caucus, Jones helped lead efforts to block more than 130 legislative measures targeting LGBTQ+ people. In 2025, he authored legislation to repeal Texas’ outdated “homosexual conduct” statute, which had remained in state law despite being ruled unconstitutional. The measure passed the Texas House with bipartisan support. Jones has also advanced policies addressing HIV prevention and treatment. He secured state funding to protect HIV care and prevention infrastructure and expand access to long-acting injectable therapies through the Texas HIV Medication Program. He also authored House Bill 50 to establish opt-out HIV testing during routine STI screenings, a measure that passed the Texas House with broad bipartisan support. Beyond the Capitol, Jones is founder and CEO of the Southern Black Policy and Advocacy Network, where he has led regional efforts focused on the health, social and economic well-being of Black communities across the South. He brings more than two decades of executive leadership and grassroots advocacy to his work in public policy.

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS The Center for Black Equity has a long history of recognizing Black LGBTQ+ leaders and allies whose work has strengthened our communities. The awards reflect different periods in CBE’s history, and not every award is presented each year. WELMORE COOK ADVOCACY & SERVICE AWARD 2025 Tracey Africa Norman 2021 DeMarc A. Hickson, PhD Angela Brown 2019 Bishop Allyson N. Abrams Bishop Emeritus Diana Williams Nii-Quartelai Quartey 2018 Anthony Fox Anika Simpson, PhD 2017 Countess Clarke Cooper Daryl Wilson 2016 Aisha C. Moodie-Mills Darrin Glymph 2015 Steven Walker Eboné F. Bell 2014 Patricia Corbert Rahim Briggs 2013 Imani Woody Courtney Williams 2012 Leandra Gilliam 2011 Khadijah Tribble Ron Collins 2010 Charlotte Smallwood Jeffrey Richardson

2004 Carlene Cheatam Otis “Buddy” Sutson 2003 Barbara Ann Chinn Ron Lewis 2002 Rev. Dyan McCray Ron Simmons 2001 Toni Collins Donna Payne 2000 Cassandra McFerson Theo Hodge 1999 Earline Budd Everett E. Hamilton, Jr. 1998 Rayceen Pendarvis Robyn C. Holden 1996 Vicki Harris Michael Saint-Andres

2021 Ernest Hopkins EARL D. FOWLKES JR. PRESIDENT’S AWARD 2025 Dr. David Johns 2021 Stephaun Elite Wallace 2019 Derrick Johnson 2018 Genise Chambers-Woods 2017 Aaron Bryant 2016 Kenya Hutton UNSUNG HERO AWARD 2025 Jack Mizrahi 2019 Steven Wilson

1995 Wanda Alston Thomas Gleaton

2018 Mary Bowman Achim Jeremiah Howard

1994 Michelle Parkerson Aundres Scott

2017 Shannon Garçon SaVanna Wanzer

1993 Ric Irick Willette Griffin

CENTER FOR BLACK EQUITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

ERNEST HOPKINS PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP AWARD 2025 A. Cornelius Baker

2025 Hope Giselle-Godsey 2021 TAG: The Alliance Group at University of DC

2019 Kahlib Barton-Garçon Queen Adesuyi 2018 Impulse Group DC 2017 Check It Enterprises, LLC 2016 Guy Anthony Victoria Kirby York 2014 AJ King CENTER FOR BLACK EQUITY SMALL BUSINESS AWARD 2025 MOBI (Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative)

2021 Jaye Wynn

NATIONAL BLACK PRIDE IMAGE AWARD

2019 Derrick “Strawberry” Cox

2003 Emil Wibeki

2018 Kathy Neal

2002 E. Lynn Harris

2017 David Maurice Parker

2001 r. erica doyle

2016 Jason Lyric

2000 Reggie Ray

2015 Genise Chambers-Woods

CURTIS L. ETHERLY JR. ALLY AWARD

2014 C. Hawkins

2022 Bianca Ward

2013 Donald Burch, III

2021 Brian K. Bond Channing Wickman

2021 Greg Evans Real Estate Group

ALAN SHARPE ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

2019 Michael Beale / Mb Staffing Services

2025 Patrik-Ian Polk

2018 D.C. Allen - The Crew Club Everett E. Hamilton / Octane Public Relations

2021 Courtney Baker-Oliver III

2004 Shaka King 2003 Nob Hill EARLINE BUDD TRANSGENDER LEADERSHIP AWARD 2021 Charmaine Eccles 2019 Shi-Queeta-Lee 2018 Lisa Monet Dupree CHARLOTTE SMALLWOOD VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD 2022 Rell Jones

2019 Alan Sharpe BISHOP KWABENA RAINEY CHEEKS SPIRITUAL & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD 2025 Bishop OC Allen 2021 Bishop Kwabena Rainey Cheeks TRANS POWER IN MEDIA AWARD 2025 TS Madison BE. ICON AWARD (PEOPLE’S CHOICE) 2025 A’Jay Jackson

2019 Gail Oliver Peggielene Bartels “King Peggy” 2018 Curtis L. Etherly Jr. (Posthumously) 2025 Eva Marcille ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON CIVIL RIGHTS & JUSTICE AWARD 2025 United States Representative Jasmine Crockett 2021 Washington D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine 2018 Congressman John Lewis Washington D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds 2016 Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser 2011 Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray

2010 Washington, DC City Council 2004 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

2000 Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League TINA TEASLEY BOARD SERVICE AWARD

RUTH ELLIS COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

2004 Eric E. Richardson

2014 DC Metropolitan Police Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU)

2003 Clarence Fluker

2004 Adodi - DC

2002 Cheryl Dunn Toni Collins

2003 ZAMI

2001 Ronnie Foster

2002 Jackson State University/Mississippi Urban Research Center

2000 Melody Lawson

2001 Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD)

1999 Cheryl Head 1998 Robert Jones

1996 Tina Teasley PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD 2003 Mary J. Blige 2002 Patti LaBelle 2001 Archbishop Carl Beam 2000 Ruth Ellis CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AWARD 2003 MAC Cosmetics

BE. GALA PERFORMER

Myles Jéh A contemporary R&B artist from Springfield, Massachusetts, whose performances blend soulful vocals, storytelling and high-energy production. His appearances have included BET’s 106 & Park, along with performances at festivals, award shows and concert venues throughout the East Coast. Jéh has also opened for artists including Kirstin Maldonado of Pentatonix and Avery Wilson. His music pairs personal storytelling with a contemporary R&B sound that has helped him build an audience across the region.

Vaccination can help protect you

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender or nonbinary people with certain risk factors are among those at

highest risk for mpox

3 out of 4 at-risk individuals are unvaccinated or have not completed the full series

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if mpox vaccination is right for you Learn more at EmpoweredAgainstMpox.com

Black Pride celebrations worldwide are facing higher costs and fewer resources. Without sustained support, these cultural homes and critical safe spaces are at risk. Every gift supports Black Pride organizers and strengthens community programs and safety support worldwide.

centerforblackequity.org/saveblackprides

We Celebrate You! On behalf of the National Black Justice Collective, we congratulate Courtney Snowden, Darryl G. Moore, and the Honorable Venton Jones on being honored tonight by the Center for Black Equity.

COURTNEY SNOWDEN WELMORE COOK ADVOCACY & SERVICE AWARD

DARRYL G. MOORE CENTER FOR BLACK EQUITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

VENTON JONES ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON CIVIL RIGHTS & JUSTICE AWARD

This is a demanding season for our communities. Our rights, our histories, and our freedom to live fully are under attack in statehouses, in Congress, and in our schools. In moments like this, we need leaders who stay in the room, tell the truth, and build what our people need. Together, Courtney, Darryl, and Venton remind us that Black LGBTQ+ people have always been at the center of the fight for freedom—and that our joy is part of that fight. Thank you to Kenya Hutton and the Center for Black Equity for creating a night where we can all BE—seen, celebrated, and whole.

HONOR THEIR WORK WITH YOURS.

Read the Black Papers...

The State of the People Black Papers are a people’s agenda for Black communities. Read them, share them, and bring them to your kitchen table before you vote on November 3.

Save The Date | Equity Ball | June 11, 2027

Stand with NBJC

Change grows here! Be part of our annual catalyst for leadership and liberation. Four days. Hundreds of diverse opportunities for leadership workshops, hard-skill trainings, strategy labs, and community joy. Thousands of us, together, building unstoppable power for 2027 and beyond.

JANUARY 27-31, 2027 LOUISVILLE, KY

CREATINGCHANGE.ORG

PIONEERING THERAPIES

THAT EXTEND AND IMPROVE LIVES. We are determined to boldly confront the world’s most serious diseases.