This year, Black Pride honors trailblazers, leaders, and advocates in the LGBTQ+ community. Curated entertainment will perform as well.
When: August 23, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Northwest African American Museum, Legacy Hall
Rev. Dr. Renee McCoy Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Renee McCoy, is the former HIV Projects Manager for African American Reach and Teach Ministry (AARTH). She holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is an ordained minister. Dr. McCoy has served as pastor of several congregations including Eastgate Congregational United Church of Christ in Bellevue WA.. She has a long and extensive history of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and research dating back to the onset of the pandemic.
Much of her work has focused on identifying and addressing the concerns of minorities and stigmatized groups including people of color and LGBTQ persons. She has received numerous national and communityawards for work in HIV/AIDS, pastoral care, and community organizing in New York, Washington, D.C., and Detroit, MI. She has taught business and organizational anthropology, and qualitative research methods at Wayne State University and classes in gender, race and sexuality at Eastern Michigan University.
Brooklyn rapper Leikeli47 grew up shy, lonely, and bullied. Inspired by Lauryn Hill, Lil' Kim, Wu-Tang and Jay-Z, she began creating songs in the early 2000s, using whatever she could to make beats (she once forged a rhythm by tapping on a microphone's pop filter).
She debuted in 2012 with self-produced mixtape LK-47, and followed up with multiple projects, even while opening for DJs Skrillex and Diplo at Madison Square Garden in 2014.
Leikeli47 continued releasing music, from her self-titled EP to debut album in 2018. In 2016, Jay-Z featured her single Fuck the Summer Up on a streaming playlist. Her music also appeared on the soundtrack to HBO series Insecure in 2017.
Community Organizer Trailblazer Award
Paul Green is a committed family member and lifelong advocate for justice, equity, and community wellness. A founding member of Brother 2 Brother, member of the Seattle Health Department’s HIV Allocation Committee, and founder of Unity Fellowship Seattle Senior Outreach.
Community Trailblazer Award
Aaron “Cherub” Carr is a Detroit born and raised queer Black creative entrepreneur working in the DEI, event production, non-profit, and creative justice industries in the greater PNW area.
Community Trailblazer Award
Randy Ford, also known as Aísha Noir, is a Seattle-born creative. She is the Executive Director for CD Forum, and involved in the Seattle-Tacoma Kiki Ballroom scene with the Royal House of Noir.
Advocate Trailblazer Award
Dr. Brown is a Senior Pastor at Plymouth Church, and brings a wealth of experience, from spiritual leadership and business acumen to inclusion education and community building.
Scientific Trailblazer Award
James Lilly is a Community Engagement Project Coordinator. Since 2010, he has remained deeply committed to advancing community-driven HIV prevention efforts at Fred Hutch.
Industry Trailblazer Award
YouthCare works to end youth homelessness and to ensure that young people are valued for who they are and empowered to achieve their potential.
