MS CAPITAL CITY PRIDE 2023

Executive Director: Jason McCarty (until July 28).

Board: Kim Lewis (Chair), Wiley Smith (Chair-Elect), Chris Ellis, Brandi Westbrook (Treasurer), Ryan Upshaw, Lucas Posey, Tyler Griffing, Fabian Nelson, Ashlee Pitts (Secretary), Jack Myers, Christina Spann, Merry Barnes, Kam’Ry Moore. 

Planning Committee: Danny Tovar (Co-Chair), Stan Nichols (Co-Chair), Jerry Hand (Co-Chair Elect), Joseph Summers (Co-Chair Elect), Julie Craft, Jacob Thomas, Allie Horvath, Max Horvarth-Ingram, Kathy Clem, Nellie Massey, Lauren Ng, Laura Heller, Jermany Gray, Bradford Carr, Chris Ellis. 

Grand Marshal: Stacey Howard.

Founders' Award: Laura Heller.

October 6, 2023: VIP and Sponsor Kick-Off Gala at the Mississippi Museum of Art with DJ Citizen Jane.

October 7, 2023: It’s Pride Y’all Festival begins at the Jackson Convention Center with the PFLAG Unity Breakfast. Headliners included Ra’Jah O’Hara, Silky Nutmneg Ganache, DJ Citizen Jane, Anthony Hale, and Brandon Andrews.  Music featured Kicking and Vision Video. Local drag performers included Leonardo Black, India Taco, Keke Fox, Saphira, Tega Prodigy, Levine Van Cartier, Mercedes L’Oreal, King E, Lyndsey Bell, Dioma Dollup, Valerie Stone, Debronski Jefferson, Josalyn Royale, Malaysia Black, Sasha Leigh Chambers, Ivy White, Seraphina, Ka’Miyah L’Oreal Tymes, Love Latonia, and Penny Nickels.

October 7, 2023: Panel Discussions in the afternoon at the Jackson Convention Center. Call to Action Panelists included Rob Hill of HRC Mississippi; McKenna Raney-Gray of ACLU of Mississippi; Love Latonia of Awakening Love and CARE4ME Services CARE4Women; Jeramey Anderson, MS House of Representatives; and Dr. Alex Mills, of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. Intersectionality Panelists included Temica “Tutt” Morton of Love Inside For Everyone (LIFE), Inc.; Jess Manrriquez of Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity; Chris DiGiovanni of Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home National Monument; Ryan Upshaw of Student Life, Diversity, & Inclusion at Millsaps College; Valencia Robinson of Mississippi in Action; and Margaret Lawson of Invisible Histories Project. Financial Wellness Panelists included Robin Morgan and Dawn Vance of Robin Morgan Financial.

January 5, 2023: Last Monthly Trivia at Barrelhouse.

February 11, 2023: Third Annual Mardi Gras Gala “Unmasking Mental Health Stigma Masquerade Ball” at Duling Hall, is hosted by Gia Giavanni with performances by Love Latonia, Malaysia Walker, Ares Royale, Kay’Myiah L’Oreal Tymes, and Leonardo Black.

February 13, 2023: Monthly Trivia relocates to Hal & Mal’s and is hosted by Penny Nickels throughout the year

March 12, 2023: Drag Brunch at Hal & Mal’s is hosted by Love Latonia featuring performances by India Taco, King E, Mercedes L’Oreal, and Cora Bleu.

April 2, 2023: Easter Egg-stravaganza and the Best Sunday Tea Dance in Jackson at LaCour Kitchen and Bar in Highland Village featuring live painting by Ellen Langford and music by Robin Webb. 

June 10, 2023: Jackson Roller Derby and Pride Scrimmage with special guest performance by Penny Nickels during intermission.

June 11, 2023: Pride Month Drag Brunch at Hal & Mal’s featuring a performance by Joey Jay and local performers Penny Nickels, Love Latonia, Sonika Boom, Will Ryder, and Ka’Miyah L’Oreal Tymes.

June 16-17, 2023: Two-day Gayrage Sale at Duling Hall as a fundraiser for It’s Pride Y’all.

June 17, 2023: Rainbow Run 5k takes place in Historic Fondren, beginning and ending at Duling Hall.

September 10, 2023: Drag Brunch at Hal & Mal’s is hosted by Love Latonia with performances by Gia Giavanni, King E, Sasha Black, Penny Nickels, and Mercedes L’Oreal

September 30 - October 21, 2023: Magnolia Memories: An Exhibit on Mississippi’s LGBTQ History sponsored by Invisible Histories Project is at the Municipal Art Gallery in Jackson.  Opening reception is attended by hundreds of people.

December 10, 2023: Christmas Drag Brunch at Hal & Mal’s is hosted by Love Latonia featuring performances by Josalyn Royale, Seraphina, Amanda Rose Andrews, and Britnee Alexander. Special appearances made by Santa Claus and the Grinch.