Press Release: Local Organizations Announce Kalamazoo’s First Black Pride Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2026
CONTACT
Michael Cleggs-Arnott, Deputy Director - OutFront Kalamazoo
269-349-4234
michael@outfrontkzoo.org
KALAMAZOO, MI – OutFront Kalamazoo and the Institute of Public Scholarship are proud to announce that Kalamazoo’s first Black Pride festival will be taking place at Bates Alley on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
The event will take the form of a block party collaborating with Bates Alley businesses as well as local entertainers and vendors who represent Kalamazoo’s queer Black community. Many of the Bates Alley businesses will also feature signature cocktails/mocktails and additional specials as part of the event.
The Black Pride steering committee is comprised of staff and volunteers from both OutFront Kalamazoo and the Institute of Public Scholarship who seek to address the historical underrepresentation of Black, Brown, and other People of Color within the LGBTQIA+ community. The organizations recognize that while Black trans activists have always led the fight against LGBTQIA+ oppression, mainstream Pride celebrations continue to erase this history and to center the experiences of white cisgender gay men.
“It’s important for us to have a space that specifically centers the history and resilience of queer Black and Brown folks,” said OutFront’s Deputy Director, Michael Cleggs-Arnott (he/him). “This is a space for queer Black folks to celebrate who we are and uplift our culture and heritage in a safe and affirming environment. And most importantly, this event is a celebration queer Black joy.”
Volunteers are essential to the event’s success, with organizers anticipating a need of up to fifty volunteers to support set-up, tear-down, entry, and more. Allies are especially encouraged to volunteer.
“I love seeing allies volunteer at these events,” said Cleggs-Arnott. “The more allies who volunteer, the more our community can just show up and have fun instead of having to work.”
The event has an $8 entry fee, with all proceeds of the event supporting OutFront Kalamazoo and the Institute of Public Scholarship. Equity pricing options are available, including a “pay what you can” option as well as a “pay it forward” option. Nobody will be turned away from the event for lack of ability to pay.
Ticket purchasing, sponsorship and vendor registration, and volunteer information will be available soon at OutFrontKzoo.org/BlackPride.
OutFront Kalamazoo is a non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to create a just, inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment in Kalamazoo County for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
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