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RAY J, DEMETRIA MCKINNEY, MILAN CHRISTOPHER, & MISS SOPHIA HONORED AT 7TH “PURE HEAT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL” DURING 2018 ATLANTA BLACK GAY PRIDE WEEKEND

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RAY J, DEMETRIA MCKINNEY, MILAN CHRISTOPHER, & MISS SOPHIA HONORED AT 7TH “PURE HEAT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL” DURING 2018 ATLANTA BLACK GAY PRIDE WEEKEND

(ATLANTA, GA) – On Sunday, September 2nd, Atlanta’s Piedmont Park welcomed the 7th Pure Heat Community Festival; also known as a free “day of unity.” This year’s festival included special award presentations to singer/actor and entrepreneur Ray J Norwood (Humanitarian Award), V103 Atlanta host, Miss Sophia (Legacy Award), singer/actress Demetria McKinney (Humanitarian Award) and rapper/TV Personality, Milan Christopher (IMPACT Award). The free cultural event is equipped with market and food vendors, live celebrity and local performers, entertainment, educational forums, prizes & giveaways – all designed to bring together the spirit of community, pride, and vision. In partnership with The Vision Community Foundation, a portion of proceeds from the weekend’s festivities are used to benefit homeless LGBT youth and those infected/affected with HIV/AIDS.

Hosted by Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen III, Rashad Burgess and Melissa “DJ M” Scott, the Pure Heat Community Festival is a front seat into a spectacular gathering of minority LGBTQ people and their allies in the heart of Atlanta. The 2018 festival featured live performances by Bre-Z (“Empire”), Akbar V, D Woods and Shanell, Estelita, Trent Crews and more. 2017 festival honoree actress Amiyah Scott returned to encourage fans to tune-into “Star” season 3 on Fox. Additional notable VIP’s in attendance included Princess Love Norwood, Melody Love Norwood, Sonja Norwood, Dr. Heavenly, Shekinah Anderson, Kore Stacks, Trinity Kardashian-Bonet and more.

“Atlanta Black Gay Pride is a dynamic opportunity to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of the LGBT community. People from all over come to this city to celebrate themselves and others and its truly beautiful. I’ve witnessed the growth and development of our community each year and 2018 promises to be even greater than previous years,” says Traxx Girls Inc. founder, Melissa Scott.

“Atlanta Black Gay Pride provides an exceptional platform to connect the LBGT community and its allies globally. This celebration provides an opportunity to recognize our cultural differences and vast accomplishments” says Rockstars Production founder, JuJu Rock.

Celebrity photographer and disabled Vietnam veteran Jerome Dorn embodies the very definition of resilience. Born in Philadelphia, the fifth of seven children, Dorn stayed focused throughout his youth, eventually obtaining his degree in Criminal Justice. Dorn has worked with the Philadelphia Police Department, Department of Justice, World Wide Detective Agency, and several other high profile security groups. Throughout his successful career, Dorn wrestled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an aftereffect of his military service. Battling the pain and debilitating effect of PTSD, Dorn found comfort behind the camera. Photography proved to be not only therapeutic, but life changing as well. Dorn picked up his first camera in 1970 while serving in Vietnam and knew instantly that behind the lens was where he belonged. His shooting style and photographs were special, generating a buzz in the industry. In 1985, he began his career in photojournalism, working in a variety of genres. Dorn’s credentials include fashion, lifestyle photography, photojournalism, and celebrity/red carpet coverage. Working with MSNBC, Jet Magazine, and major publications in Philadelphia and around the country, Dorn has had the honor of capturing the images of hundreds of notable celebrities and politicians including President Barack Obama, George Bush Jr, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Jesse Jackson, Rihanna, Snoop Dog, Will Smith, and Tyler Perry. Photography has sent Dorn around the globe, inspiring his passion for civil activism. In 1995, Dorn assembled and led a group of forty-two men to the Million Man March. Together, they spent five days walking from Philadelphia to Washington DC. In his travels, Dorn observed a common theme amongst the youth of the world. Many of the children he encountered seemed lost. Understanding that opportunities for at-risk youth are minimal, Dorn was inspired to make a difference. Established by Dorn in 2011, InDaHouseMedia was built on the idea that there is room in the house for everyone. With InDaHouseMedia, Dorn’s mission is to provide the future generation with positive direction through sports, music, and photography.

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