Kylie's Highly Anticipated Album 'Tension' Set to Drop on September 22 via BMG

September 22nd will see the release of Kylie’s brand new studio album, ’Tension’, a record of euphoric, empowered dance floor bangers and sultry pop cuts.

‘Tension’ is eleven tracks of unabashed pleasure-seeking, seize-the-moment, joyful pop tunes. The hypnotic electro of ‘Padam Padam’ opens the album and will be the first single to be released from the record.

Discussing ‘Tension’, Kylie says, “I started this album with an open mind and a blank page. Unlike my last two albums, there wasn’t a ‘theme’, it was about finding the heart or the fun or the fantasy of that moment and always trying to service the song. I wanted to celebrate each song’s individuality and to dive into that freedom. I would say it’s a blend of personal reflection, club abandon and melancholic high.”

Kylie has worked with a number of producers on the album with seven of the tracks being produced and co-written with her long-time collaborators, Biff Stannard and Duck Blackwell. Discussing the recording process, Kylie says, "I loved being back in the studio with my collaborators but was also able to benefit from remote recording, which we have all got used to – my mobile studio never left my side for a year and a half! The album is a mix of songs I have written and songs which really spoke to me. Making this album helped me navigate challenging times and celebrate the now. I hope it accompanies listeners on their own journeys and becomes part of their story.”

AHF Blasts ‘Parasitic’ PBM Owner Cigna on $1.3B Q1 Profits

Recently, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV and AIDS healthcare provider, commented on the financial results of what they call "one of the most parasitic health insurance companies in the U.S." Cigna just announced first quarter 2023 revenue of $46.5 billion, of which $36.2 billion came from Express Scripts, its pharmacy benefits manager, which it bought in 2018. This resulted in $1.3 billion in profits in Q1.   (See: Cigna Group “News & Insights” May 5, 2023)

“PBMs are the parasites of the health care industry, denying patients access to their pharmacies, pocketing rebates from drug companies, and driving independent pharmacies out of business to clear the field for their own pharmacy services,” said Michael Weinstein, AHF President. “Express Scripts is one of the biggest and worst.  Cigna has a responsibility to stop reaping gargantuan profits off of Express Scripts’ unconscionable behavior and to restore these wrongful gains to Cigna’s plan members in the form of lower premiums and drug cost shares.”  

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Save the Date for this year's Colorado Mountain Winefest and Colorado Wine Week!

The Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE), is pleased to announce the details for the 32nd Annual Colorado Mountain Winefest presented by Fisher's Liquor Barn, as well as the first scheduled events for this year's Colorado Wine Week.

The Festival in the Park will take place Saturday, September 16, 2023 in Palisade, CO from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. VIP tickets to the festival are sold out, however General Admission tickets are still available for purchase at www.ColoradoWinefest.com. This year's festival will once again take place at Riverbend Park in Palisade and feature unlimited sips from over 50 Colorado wineries, live music, artisan vendors, chef demonstrations, educational seminars, and more. Please note that all Mountain Winefest attendees must be 21 years of age or over with a valid ID to enter. Winefest events will be held rain or shine. Colorado Mountain Winefest is a premier event in the Grand Valley and has sold out for the past eight years. Festival organizers strongly recommend that individuals wishing to attend this year's festival purchase their tickets as soon as possible. 

During the week of Colorado Mountain Winefest, wine lovers are also invited to participate in Colorado Wine Week. Taking place September 11th-17th, 2023. Colorado Wine Week is a celebration of Colorado's winemakers and grape growers. Wineries, restaurants, and industry partners from across the state are invited to host wine-focused events to continue raising awareness of Colorado's thriving wine industry. Many events are free to attend, however some do require tickets.

"This year we are excited to announce the return of our Wine, Dine & Paint and our Chocolate & Wine Tasting events", said Cassidee Shull. "Tickets for both events will be available to the public on May 12th at 9:00am and we will be announcing many more Wine Week events throughout the summer months!" For more information about Colorado Wine Week and to view the event schedule, please visit www.ColoradoWinefest.com.

Colorado Mountain Winefest is the largest fundraiser for the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology. CAVE is the only non-profit dedicated to Colorado's wine and grape growing industry. All proceeds from Colorado Mountain Winefest go towards CAVE's annual VinCO Conference & Trade Show, which is focused on improving winemaking and grape growing in Colorado.

‘POV’ Opens 36th Season With Director Jon-Sesrie Goff’s Captivating Documentary 'After Sherman'

POV, America’s longest running non-fiction series, opens its 36th season with After Sherman, a gripping film about inheritance, landscape identity and tensions within Black Belt communities that define America’s collective history. The film marks director Jon-Sesie Goff’s (Out in the Night) feature debut, and is produced by Goff, blair dorosh-walther, and Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich. In After Sherman Goff returns to the coastal South Carolina land that his family purchased after emancipation. His desire to explore his Gullah Geechee roots leads to a poetic investigation of Black inheritance, trauma, and generational wisdom.

In After Sherman, filmmaker Jon-Sesrie Goff visits his ancestral hometown Georgetown, South Carolina, a community deeply rooted in Gullah Geechee customs to investigate the cultural and spiritual rituals that bind people together in that region. Through talks with family, friends, and neighbors, and watching archival home videos, Goff comprises intimate accounts of the lives of the Black community to showcase the history of the African people on the land.

 

The film also delves into his relationship with his father, Rev. Dr. Norvel Goff, Sr. to learn about his personal connection to land that has been in his family for 150 years, where they were once enslaved. Dr. Goff, a survivor of the tragic shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 17, 2015, served as Mother Emanuel’s interim pastor following the killing of the church’s pastor, Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney.

 

Jon-Sesrie Goff’s After Sherman is ultimately a film about being present in a corner of the American South that is often forgotten except in moments of violence. The film speaks to intergenerational questions between the post-civil rights and civil rights generations. Rather than depicting Black subjects as at the whim of violent forces, Goff documents the imparting of wisdom between generations of African Americans on how to survive not just materially, but spiritually.

 

“I’m excited for the opportunity to share this film with public television audiences,” said Jon-Sesrie Goff. “As development and tourism seek to reimagine the landscape of the coastal south, it’s increasingly important to highlight the efforts many have undertaken in the preservation of Gullah Geechee culture and the protection of black owned land, many of the properties purchased by the formerly enslaved. Working with my collaborators, we handcrafted something that we hope honors the spirit of community and reflects the richness of the region. It was important for us to make visible a living history, where all the complexities of the past and present inform our understanding of home.” 

 “After Sherman, Jon-Sesrie Goff’s personal story about belonging, is an arresting film to open POV’s 36th season,” said Erika Dilday, Executive Director, American Documentary and Executive Producer, POV and America ReFramed. “Every year American Documentary renews its commitment to provide seasoned and emerging filmmakers the opportunity to share their stories via public media’s national platform. In return, we ask our filmmakers to be fearless; to go to difficult places, and ask difficult questions to deliver to audiences the truths that inform us, enlighten us, and hopefully lead us toward real change.”

After Sherman, a co-production with ITVS, Black Public Media, and Hedera Pictures, LLC,  makes its national broadcast premiere on POV Monday, June 26, 2023 at 10pmET/9C (check local listings) and will be available to stream free until July 26, 2023 at pbs.org, and the PBS App.

GLOW, a Film by Gabriel Baur

GLOW Trailer subtitled letterbox from Onix & Onfeatures Film on Vimeo.

"Someone who glows so brightly is not going to grow old," Fellini once prophesied about Irene Staub, aka Lady Shiva, one of the greatest of all Swiss divas and the subject of Gabriel Baur's documentary GLOW.

Thanks to her aura and talent, many doors opened for Irene during Zürich's exuberant years between 1968 and the late 1980s. Discovered by a pioneer of Swiss fashion, she became a model and also pursued her dream of becoming a singer, in a legendary Zürich underground band.

But Lady Shiva lived life in the fast lane; torn between the stress of success, a yearning for freedom, and self-destructive urges, she died far too young under circumstances that have never been fully explained.

Using never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with prominent contemporaries, Baur brings us back to a vibrant age of boundless possibilities, in which the sky seemed the only limit for people like Lady Shiva...an age that to this day still kindles a yearning in us.

Made in 2017 and COVID-delayed in the United States, GLOW is finally making its American premiere this June!

HRC on “Secure the Border” Act: “Members of the House Majority Will Sacrifice Everything to Prove their Indifference to LGBTQ+ Lives”

Yesterday, the anti-equality majority in the U.S. House narrowly advanced HR 2, the so-called “Secure the Border” Act, a Republican-led bill designed to limit entry opportunities for asylum seekers migrating to the U.S., with devastating implications for LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing fatal violence and persecution in their home countries. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) recently joined a chorus of 143 organizations in a statement urging members of Congress to vote ‘no’ on the legislation.  

In response, HRC President Kelley Robinson released the following statement: 

“LGBTQ+ people are living in fear for their lives on a global scale, and this bill will only intensify a dire humanitarian crisis rather than alleviate one. There are vulnerable members of our community, especially transgender women, who live each day uncertain of their survival and who need the best of our country’s resources as a matter of life and death. We know that the U.S. can be a lifeline for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, particularly those fleeing violence in Central America. Turning our backs on LGBTQ+ people whose daily threats involve cases of kidnapping, torture, and even murder at the hands of police and community members s falls out of line with what our country promises to be. Anti-equality members of the House should be ashamed of their actions today -- their indifference to people’s lives is reprehensible. ”   

In addition to facing gaps in basic services during displacement, LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are often systemically targeted for kidnapping, extortion, rape, and other violence. Under Title 42 and Remain in Mexico - policies that have undermined access to asylum - human rights organizations have documented heightened threats against LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Examples include: 

• In May 2021, a Honduran transgender woman was kidnapped and raped while waiting in for U.S. asylum processing to resume. She escaped her kidnappers, but sustained significant injuries.
• A gay Central American man who’d fled his home country was kidnapped and trafficked for months around Mexico, where he was beaten, assaulted, and forced to perform sex acts.
• Blocked from seeking asylum due to Title 42, a transgender Honduran man and his girlfriend were assaulted in Mexico “by guys who targeted them for their queerness and gender expression.” The assailants reportedly asked the couple “who is the man and who is the woman?” and threatened that they were “going to teach them how to be women.” 

In addition to the dismantling of the U.S. asylum system, HR 2 would also limit funding for certain programs and the government’s partnerships with non-governmental organizations providing humanitarian services. It would also increase detention of asylum seekers, eliminate a U.S.-funded legal assistance program for asylum seekers, and expedite border wall construction.  

Yesterday’s vote also comes as other countries, such as Uganda, inch closer toward passing laws that target LGBTQ+ individuals, criminalizing same-sex relations and even imposing the death penalty in some cases.  

Queer alt-pop artist a kid named rufus shares new single/video "stuck in san antonio"

Budding queer alt-pop artist a kid named rufus (they/them) shares their new single “stuck in san antonio,” accompanied by a visually captivating music video directed by Chase Denton (Boyish, Annie DiRusso) of Working Holiday. The track is lifted off a kid named rufus’ forthcoming debut album whatever works out July 14th via Nettwerk.

"stuck in san antonio" is a poignant and emotionally charged song that reflects on a tumultuous relationship. The track blends captivating melodies, dynamic guitar riffs, and unsettling lyrics, marking a departure into a new rock-inspired sound for the young artist. Based on a true story, a kid named rufus shares this on the track, "I flew from New York to San Antonio to visit my girlfriend (the same one from my previous single, 'the cute girl from brewster hall') and it went down horribly. She was driving crossed, swerving on the interstate, and doing all sorts of nonsense. I was so scared and flabbergasted, I broke up with her the next day. I wrote the song the day after as a response to everything that happened in San Antonio."

After the emotional fallout, a kid named rufus found themselves in Austin, Texas, where they crossed paths with Benji Cormack from slenderbodies and Alex Alfonzo from Night Cap. The creative synergy was immediate, leading to the swift completion of "stuck in san antonio" within a day. Drawing influence from 00's rock icons like Weezer and The Killers, as well as rising artists such as dodie and Cavetown, a kid named rufus envisioned a breakup song reminiscent of "Undone (The Sweater Song)" but with a fresh, rock-infused twist. This track marks a leap forward for Rufus as they solidify their artistic identity.

Discover the Vibrant and Inclusive LGBTQI+ Scene in Helsinki, the World's Happiest Capital

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, has once again been ranked as the world's happiest country in 2023 for the sixth year in a row according to the World Happiness Report rankings. The city's inclusiveness, tolerance, art, and culture are some of the key enablers of the good life in Helsinki. The country's Marriage Act legalizes same-sex marriage, and the new Act on Legal Recognition of Gender entered into force in April 2023.

Annu Kemppainen, the Executive Director of the Helsinki Pride community, states that "Helsinki has always represented to me freedom and the opportunity to experience diversity, as well as the opportunity to blend in with the crowd at the same time." Helsinki Pride Week is the biggest cultural and human rights event in Finland, taking place from 26 June to 2 July. Everyone is invited to participate in the Helsinki Pride parade and park celebrations on 1 July. The City of Helsinki has been the main cooperation partner for Helsinki Pride for years, demonstrating Helsinki's leadership in valuing human rights.

In addition to the pride celebrations, Helsinki offers a vibrant LGBTQI+ scene. Visitors can enjoy the reopening of the legendary DTM gay club in a new location, as well as explore the city's cultural experiences, top restaurants, and lively nightlife. Visitors can also discover the city's history of the rainbow community at the new Amos Anderssons Hem home museum and the Tom of Finland exhibition at Kiasma, the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Tom of Finland, born Touko Valio Laaksonen, ranks among the most internationally acclaimed artists to come out of Finland. His drawings of happy gay men proudly enjoying their sexuality were revolutionary at a time when homosexuality was still considered a crime and fetishism classified as a disease. His art has been liberating and empowering for countless gay men and sexual minorities for decades. Tove Jansson, painter and the mother of the Moomins, is another icon of the Finnish LGBTQI+ scene. Her love for theatre director Vivica Bandler was already visible in her artwork in the 1940s.

Helsinki's Generation 2023 exhibition at Amos Rex showcases works from young artists between the ages of 15 and 23, who raise socially important issues in public discussion, including norms related to gender identity and appearance.

Helsinki is a hidden gem tourist destination among the rainbow community. It's a city where human rights are realized, and everyone is welcome. With its stunning archipelago and nature, Helsinki offers a unique combination of urban buzz and peace. To learn more about Helsinki's offerings and meet local guides to LGBTQI+ Helsinki, visit MyHelsinki.fi.

Ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, leaders of the Council of Europe and the EU warn against erosion of rights of LGBT rights

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland; Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe; and Helena Dalli, EU Commissioner for Equality, made a joint statement ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, and Intersexphobia marked on 17 May. The statement has been delivered today during the IDAHOT+ Forum organised in the framework of the Iceland’s Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.

“While visionary European policies are driving unprecedented positive change and the rights of LGBTI persons have been strengthened in many European countries faster than what could have been imagined only a decade ago, we cannot ignore an ongoing human rights backsliding and continued polarisation in Europe with alarming LGBTI-phobic hate speech, discrimination and sometimes even violence.

“We are gathered in Reykjavik on the occasion of the IDAHOT+ Forum, hosted by the Icelandic Presidency of the Council of Europe, to mark next week’s International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexphobia.

“This annual assembly of European governments, international and European organisations, international civil society organisations and academics is a unique opportunity to take a welcome but intransigent look at the state of the rights of LGBTI persons across our continent, measure progress, identify shortcomings and observe trends.

“As we ask ourselves what more should be done, this year’s IDAHOT theme appears to hint at the key ingredients: “together always, united in diversity”. The Forum provides for a welcome space to put them in practice and forge the successes of tomorrow:

• Protect and enable the essential work of LGBTI human rights defenders and civil society actors;
• Build on the historic alliances uniting the LGBTI movements to counter the attempts at fragmenting universal human rights;
• Demonstrate political leadership and showcase national practices that inspire European-level policy-making to advance equality for intersex people;
• Promote good practices to counter hate speech against LGBTI youth to foster inclusion in schools.

“This Forum brings many voices together, and it is in unison that we pledge to reinforce European cooperation on LGBTI equality policies and stand for the respect for the human rights and dignity of every member of society.”

The IDAHOT+ Forum is the major annual event aimed at collectively advancing the rights of LGBTI people across Europe. It is organised at European level by the European Network of LGBTI Governmental Focal Points (EFPN) and is supported by the Council of Europe SOGI Unit, to strengthen European cooperation on SOGIESC Equality policies. The forum brings together European policymakers, intergovernmental organisations, and civil society organisations who take stock of the situation of the rights of LGBTI people in Europe over the previous year.

WalletHub: 2023 International Travel Reports on Credit Cards & Currency Exchange

With summer travel on the horizon, WalletHub today released the results of a nationally representative International Credit Card Survey gauging people’s opinions on various aspects of spending money abroad, along with editors’ picks for the Best International Credit Cards of 2023 and a new Currency Exchange Study that highlights easy ways to save. 

• Credit Card Security: 57% of Americans wouldn’t feel safe traveling abroad without a credit card.
   
• Foreign Fees Domestically: Roughly 2 in 3 people don’t realize foreign fees can apply without foreign travel.
   
• Swearing Off Foreign Fees: 56% of Americans say they would never get a credit card that charges a foreign transaction fee.
   
• Fee Consciousness Rises: 43% more Americans than last year say they care a lot about foreign transaction fees when applying for a new credit card.
   
• Exchange Rate Ignorance: More than 3 in 4 people don’t know that using a credit card gets them the best exchange rate when traveling abroad.
   
• Fee Awareness Lacking: Nearly 2 in 5 Americans don’t know whether their credit card has a foreign transaction fee.
   
• Savvy Traveler Savings: A no foreign transaction fee credit card saves travelers an average of 7.9% relative to airport currency exchanges and 7.3% compared to the average bank/credit union.
   
• Best International Credit Cards: Based on a comparison of 1,500+ credit cards, the WalletHub Awards for 2023’s Best International Credit Cards go to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Bank of America® Premium Rewards®. Both have $0 foreign fees and great travel rewards.

Explore the Life and Work of Architecture Giant Norman Foster with Taschen

Norman Foster is undoubtedly one of the most prominent architects of our time. His innovative approach to architecture has earned him many accolades, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize. Now, Taschen has released an XXL monograph that delves into the life and work of the legendary architect, providing insight into his most significant projects.

The monograph is divided into two volumes, with the first volume presenting Foster's worldwide architectural oeuvre. The volume is filled with numerous unpublished images and sketches from Foster's archives, giving readers a glimpse into his creative process. The author, Philip Jodidio, takes readers on a journey through Foster's most iconic projects, including the Millennium Bridge and Apple Park.

In the second volume, Foster himself explains his sources of inspiration through eight essays. It's an intimate look into the mind of the renowned architect, giving readers an understanding of his thought process and how he approaches his craft.

Foster's architectural achievements are numerous, with his designs being some of the most iconic buildings in the world. From the Swiss Re building (popularly known as the Gherkin) to the London City Hall, Foster's designs are recognized worldwide for their creativity, sustainability, and functionality.

Throughout the monograph, Foster takes readers on his journey as an architect, from his early days in Manchester to his current position as a global icon. His passion for architecture is evident throughout the book, and his commitment to sustainability is evident in many of his designs.

One of Foster's most famous projects is the Millennium Bridge in London, which he designed in collaboration with sculptor Anthony Caro. The pedestrian-only bridge spans the River Thames, connecting the Tate Modern to St. Paul's Cathedral. The design is a stunning feat of engineering, with the bridge appearing to "float" above the water. It's a testament to Foster's ability to combine art and functionality seamlessly.

Another notable project is Apple Park, the headquarters of Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California. The campus covers 175 acres and features the world's largest naturally ventilated building. Foster's design emphasizes sustainability, with the campus generating 100% of its energy from renewable sources.

Foster's commitment to sustainability is evident in many of his designs, including the Hearst Tower in New York City. The building features a unique diagrid structure, which significantly reduces the amount of steel required. Additionally, the tower uses 26% less energy than a typical office building of its size.

The Taschen monograph is a must-read for anyone interested in architecture and design. The book provides an in-depth look into the life and work of one of the most influential architects of our time, Norman Foster.

Explore Nature and Connect with the LGBTQ+ Community: Join Fort Collins' LGBTQ+ Community Hikes this Summer!

Are you ready to explore nature with like-minded individuals in a safe and inclusive environment? The Fort Collins Natural Areas Department has got you covered! They will be hosting their annual LGBTQ+ community hikes this summer, and this year they have some exciting themed programming in store.

From photography to mindfulness and stargazing, there is something for everyone. The department is committed to making these hikes accessible to all, regardless of skill level or experience. You'll have the opportunity to connect with fellow hikers, learn new skills, and discover the beauty of the natural world around you.

The LGBTQ+ community hikes have always been a popular event, and this year promises to be better than ever. The Fort Collins Natural Areas Department has worked hard to make sure that everyone feels welcome and included. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting out, these hikes are a great way to get outdoors and connect with nature.

Camp Wannakiki: The Hilarious Drag Reality Show Returns with Season 5, Featuring Denver's Own Dixie Krystals!

Are you ready for some summer fun with the campiest drag artists from across North America? Look no further than Camp Wannakiki, the hilarious drag reality show where campers compete in daily activities and nightly talent shows to earn their badge and avoid being told to "Take a hike!"

Premiering in June 2023, season 5 promises to deliver even more laughs, drama, and fabulousness as a new batch of campers vie for the title of "Queen/King of Camp." And for Denver locals, there's an extra reason to tune in: one of this season's cast members is none other than Denver's own Dixie Krystals!

But Camp Wannakiki isn't just about cutthroat competition and backstabbing; it's also about forming bonds and making lasting friendships. With a focus on fun and camaraderie, this show is a refreshing departure from the drama-filled reality shows that dominate the airwaves.

So where can you watch all the campy action unfold? Head over to OUTtv (or froot.tv in the UK), a subscription streaming service that specializes in LGBTQ+ content. With OUTtv, you can catch all the drama and hilarity from season 5 of Camp Wannakiki on AppleTV, Roku, or at outtv.com.

Don't miss out on the fun - mark your calendars for the season 5 premiere of Camp Wannakiki in June 2023!

Ahmad Goree Assumes Leadership Role at Dallas Southern Pride, Announces Juneteenth Unity Weekend Celebration

Dallas Southern Pride (DSP), the organization responsible for hosting pride events throughout the Dallas metroplex, has announced Ahmad Goree (pictured) as its new chief operations officer and director of engagement. Goree, who was previously the director of public affairs for DSP, succeeds the late Kirk Myers-Hill, who served as the organization's president and was a beloved member of the community.

Goree brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, having previously connected DSP to local, state, and federal officials, as well as securing sponsorships from major brands such as the Dallas Mavericks, Hilton, VisitDallas, AT&T, and others. He has been recognized for his leadership in both the business and LGBTQ+ communities, including being named a 2022 Dallas Business Journal 40 under 40 honoree and Public Relations Society 40 under 40.

In honor of Myers-Hill's legacy, DSP also announced that the Juneteenth Unity Weekend Celebration will take place from June 15-20, 2023, with the Crowne Plaza serving as the official host hotel offering special rates for attendees. The celebration, which has been a staple in the city of Dallas during Pride Month since 2008, is the official annual celebration for Black communities to come together and celebrate their contributions to both American and Black culture, liberation, and community.

The Juneteenth Unity Weekend Celebration is a family-oriented event with programming for the entire community. In recent years, the celebration has generated millions of dollars for local businesses and has helped to reduce the HIV positivity rate below 10% for the first time in the event's history among more than 200 attendees tested. It has also helped to create other historic moments for the city of Dallas, including a recruitment drive by the Dallas Police Department that prioritized LGBTQ+ applicants, the lighting of the Dallas skyline in the Juneteenth and Black Pride colors, and the debut and flying of the Dallas Southern Pride Official Pride flag at the Sheraton Market Center.

Juneteenth Unity Weekend is a collaborative celebration made possible by the support of many companies and organizations that share the collective vision for this impactful event that advances the entire Black family and social justice movements and celebrates unity and peace. Sponsors for the 2023 celebration include Gilead Sciences, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, and Abounding Prosperity, Inc.

A portion of the proceeds from the Juneteenth Unity Weekend Celebration will be used to support the free health and wellness programs of its partner agencies, which offset the cost of essential services to Black and Brown communities, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ communities and their families in the DFW metroplex.

Ahmad Goree expressed his commitment to continuing the important work that Myers-Hill started, saying, "Dallas Southern Pride has an important role to play in making sure Dallas is creating spaces that are equitable while also generating an economic impact every year." He also encouraged businesses, organizations, and individuals to partner with the organization in supporting its initiatives and promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice in the community.

In conclusion, the announcement of Ahmad Goree as the new chief operations officer and director of engagement for Dallas Southern Pride and the upcoming Juneteenth Unity Weekend Celebration highlights the organization's commitment to promoting equality and justice for all in the Dallas metroplex. The celebration serves as a vital platform for Black communities to come together and celebrate their contributions to American and Black culture while also supporting local businesses and providing essential services to those in need. The support of sponsors such as Gilead Sciences, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, and Abounding Prosperity, Inc. is crucial in helping to make this impactful event a reality.