Yes it's still hot outside and so is the "big chair" where COP 24/7 clicks out the latest updates, breaking news, observations, opinions and a few "two snaps in a circle." come backs for your reading pleasure. Its all here and ain't no stopping us now...
Pride in the City Continues
I know that many of you thought that Pride 2011 was back in June, right? Well, you wouldn't be exactly wrong, but in case you didn't know and most likely most don't know, there was more pride to come. Enter Black Pride 2011 part 1.0 that took place July 15-17 at Club Goodtimes as proclaimed by the banner still hanging outside the haunt. I don't know about you, but for some reason my ideas of "pride" and obviously other folks idea of pride vary wildly. First up you have to understand the origins of this concept and come to terms with why they exist. To fast track that understanding you can check out the International Federation of Black Prides website (http://www.ifbprides.org/) where you can get a more background than the quickie over view that I'm offering in this forum. These prides were developed to fill a perceived void that other established "prides" were not addressing or what we now call "culturally competent" activities that were relevant to people of color communities. Now with that said, according to IFBP their intent was to act as a conduit for the purpose of developing sponsorship strategies, providing technical assistance, networking, mentoring, and supporting one another. I have met IFBP founder, Earl Folkes and through our conversation I could see his vision and mission. However in my opinion, his vision of "empowerment and capacity building opportunities" have somewhat faltered here in Little Rock. Especially since somehow there are dueling "black prides" such as the Club Goodtimes mash up that has featured a Miss/Mr. Black Pride, guest artist and pole dancers as well as other late night activities which is privately promoted. On the flip side, there's Little Rock Black Pride with this year's theme of "Sex In the City," with a line-up of meet and greets, theme parties and a expo which rounds out its schedule, July 22-24. Let me be clear and for the record, I've attempted to work with this outfit in the past but it seemed to me that this event suffers from a lack of structural and operational vision meanwhile falling short of what Mr. Folkes envisioned for IFBP affiliates. What exactly do I mean? I love a great party just as anyone would, but the total "purpose" of this event appears muddled and fuzzy at best. Is this a "BET-Walk the Runway knock off, a low wattage circuit party wannabee or a chance to connect the SGL community with other community based organizations including HIV/AIDS testing? I'm not sure and for the most part I can't tell if anyone else actually knows either. What's even more interesting and perhaps a bit troubling is the fact this group has been utilizing valuable subsidized resources that may not be justifiable if this local CBO can't be all they can be. In the meantime, I'll be checking out this years activities and will report back on what I found. Come out and check it out, then let's talk. Here's the tentative schedule: ( it's unedited from the Facebook listing)
LITTLE ROCK BLACK PRIDE IS THE OFFICIAL PRIDE OF THE CITY
THE OFFICIAL 7th ANNUAL 2011 LITTLE ROCK BLACK PRIDE WEEKEND
JULY 22-24, 2011
THEME: "SEX IN THE CITY"
FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2011; 5:00 - 8:00PM: MEET AND GREET
8:00 - 11:00PM PRE PARTY (FREE)
(SHOW STARTS PROMPTLY AT 9:00PM AT THE HOTEL,
SHOWCAST MUST BE THERE BY 8:30PM SHARP, NO EXCEPTIONS, NO FAVORS!!!)
COMFORT INN HOTEL
TOP AND BOTTOM PARTY: 12:00MIDNIGHT - 4:00AM ($20.00)
(TOPS & STUDS WEAR RED, VERSATILES WEAR WHITE, AND BOTTOM & FEMS WEAR PINK. GREEKS WEAR YOUR COLORS).
METROPLEX EVENT CENTER
10800 COLONEL GLENN RD
SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2011; 2:00PM- 6:00PM: LITTLE ROCK BLACK PRIDE EXPO. (FREE)
(ALL VENDORS MUST BE THERE AT 12:30PM FOR SETUP)WET, WILD AND FUN POOL PARTY: 6:00-9:00PM
NETWORKING SOCIAL 9:00-10:00PM (FREE)
COMFORT INN HOTEL
A-LIST CELEBRITY PARTY: 12:00 MIDNIGHT-4:00AM ($20.00)
METROPLEX EVENT CENTER
10800 COLONEL GLENN RD.
SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2011: DUPREE-FAIRCHILD FAMILY FUN DAY PICNIC
3:00PM-8:00PM
RESEVOIR PARK
CANTRELL & RESEVOIR RD
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