11th ANNUAL PURE HEAT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL HONORS BIG FREEDIA, GARY WITH DA TEA AND RASHAD BURGESS

InDaHouse

Published on September 4, 2023

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INCLUDED SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY TAMAR BRAXTON, JOSELINE HERNANDEZ;

AND PERFORMANCES BY THAT CHICK ANGEL, AUSTIN ROGERS, JHONNI BLAZE, ALEXIS BRANCH, RJ BRADY, KRISEAN WOODS AND MORE

(ATLANTA, GA) – September 4, 2023 – The Vision Community Foundation, Traxx Girls Inc and Rockstars Production celebrated Atlanta Black Pride Weekend – the country’s leading LGBTQ+ annual pride celebration, during Labor Day weekend 2023.

On Sunday, September 3rd, Atlanta’s Piedmont Park showcased the 11th annual Pure Heat Community Festival; also known as a free “day of unity.” The cultural event included 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. 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.

GRAMMY Award winner, Big Freedia received the annual ICON award; Celebrated media personality Gary With Da Tea (of DISH Nation & Rickey Smiley Morning Show) received the annual Trailblazer award presented by Tamar Braxton; and Rashad Burgess (VP Advancing Health and Black Equity, Gilead Sciences) received the annual HumanitarianAward, presented by Bishop O.C. Allen, III.

Taking the performance stage for 2023: Suni MF, Ty Valentino, Nubian, Virgo Gang, RJ Brady, Asia Nae, Arsai, Aryee The Gem, Kaira, Krisean Woods, Cliff VMir, Austin Rogers, That Chick Angel, Steezo, Jhonni Blaze and a hair battle presented by My Black is Beautiful. The festival also included special appearances by TV personality and artist Joseline Hernandez, Tik-Tok Star Shamar and TV personality Derek J.

Visit AtlantaPrideWeekend.com and AtlantaBlackPrideLDR.com to learn more about Atlanta Black Pride Weekend. Atlanta Black Pride welcomes all identifying genders to participate in all events. For more information on the Pure Heat Community Festival visit: pureheatcommunityfestival.com. A portion of proceeds from the weekend’s festivities will benefit homeless LGBTQ+ youth and those infected/affected with HIV/AIDS via The Vision Community Foundation.

InDaHouse

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.