Third Avenue Business Improvement District - Bronx World Pride | Thank You | The Fight Continues.

The Fight Continues. Yesterday we joined over 4 million individuals in New York City to celebrate World Pride.  This culmination of June pride events sent a clear message to the world that New York is a diverse and welcoming city that stands with and for our LGBTQ+ community.  June also underscored that the fight is not over - it is still very much alive.  From the brutal murders of black women of trans experience to the roll back of federal protections for the LGBTQ+ community, the fight continues.  Let us not grow complacent.  Let us remember the meaning and the power of Stonewall and live our truth. Pride is not something that we only remember during the month of June - it is something we fight for everyday.  As we reflect on Stonewall and the first brick that ignited our movement we are obligated to learn from the pioneers of our cause and continue to push for a more inclusive and just society. Continue to join us. 1 Bronx World Pride Festival Draws Over 75,000 Attends - Breaks Record The 1 Bronx World Pride Festival shattered records drawing over 75,000 attendees, 200+ vendors, and 90+ artists performing during the Bronx's annual Pride Festival held on 149th Street and Third Avenue in the South Bronx.  Hosted by Honey Davenport of Ru Paul's Drag Race and Internet Influencer Chavis Aaron, the festival included headlining performances from Grammy Winner Deborah Cox and Latin Music Award winner La Insuperable.  Artists represented every facet of the diverse LGBTQ+ community. The festival was produced by the Third Avenue Business Improvement District and Destination Tomorrow, in partnership with Montefiore Medical Center, Community Healthcare Network, the Office of the Bronx Borough President, the Bronx LGBTQ Caucus, Callen Lorde, BronxCare, Gilead, Cinnabon / Auntie Ann's, Rite Check, T-Mobile, and United Health Care. Still Work to be Done - 1 Bronx World Pride Rally Sends Clear Message to Community Hosted by community leaders Tym Moss and Appolonia Cruz, the 1 Bronx World Pride Rally kicked off the Liberation March that led into the Bronx World Pride Festival.  Led by Bronx LGBTQ Leaders, Dirk McCall, Sean Coleman, and Michael Brady the rally included remarks by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, NYS Commissioner for Human Rights, Hon. Victor Pichardo, Hon. Nathalia Fernandez, Hon. Vanessa Gibson, Lewis Goldstein, Marlene Cintron, and heartfelt remarks from Luna Cameron - a leader in the LGBTQ Youth Movement. Third Avenue BID Presents HIV League $20,000 to Support Scholarships Third Avenue Business Improvement Executive Director Michael Brady, and Deputy Director Javier Medrano present $20,000 to HIV League Executive Director Daniel Szymczyk.  The funding will support academic scholarships for New York City students diagnosed with HIV and is part of the Third Avenue BID's focus on changing the public health narrative in New York City. Big Gay Bronx Brunch Kicks Off Weekend Celebrations With proceeds benefiting the HIV League, the Big Bronx Gay Brunch drew over 100 attendees to the newly opened Zona De Cuba Roof Top restaurant on top of the Old Bronx Post Office.  The event celebrated LGBTQ+ individuality and highlighted the need to ensure we as a community provide educational resources to LGBTQ+ young people.  In addition to presenting a $20,000 check to the HIV League, Third Avenue BID Executive Director Michael Brady noted that for the first time ever LGBTQ curriculum is being included in the New York City public school curriculum.  Brady was joined by Sean Coleman and Councilmember Vanessa Gibson to deliver remarks during the sold out annual gathering. Bronx LGBT EXPO Promotes Message of Mental Health The vision of the event, conceived by artist, Jose Ramon Medina and Bronx Historical Tours founder, Alexandra Maruri, was to bring together local businesses, entrepreneurs, talent and artists from the Bronx, showcased under one roof in celebration of World Pride 2019 and the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and a half-century of LGBT liberation.  The event succeeded developing a multi sector response to promote mental health in the Bronx LGBTQ+ community. History Made! Bronx Crosswalks Painted Pride Colors For the first time in Bronx history the borough had rainbow Pride crosswalks installed for Bronx World Pride as the city celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Sponsored by the Third Avenue Business Improvement District and completed in partnership with New York City Department of Transportation and the New York City Office to City Wide Events, the project was installed as the result of community advocacy.  Michael Brady, Executive Director of the Third Avenue BID noted that the crosswalk will be seen by over 10 million people and send a message of inclusivity to those visiting the Bronx's busiest commercial district. The pride crosswalks are located on 149th Street at two locations on the north side of the street at Third and Melrose Avenues.  Bronx Buildings Lighted for World Pride The Bronx Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Office of the Bronx Borough President, Third Avenue Business Improvement District, Simone Metro Properties, the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) announced the lighting of several major properties throughout the Bronx in recognition of NYC World Pride.   The Bronx will get a lot more colorful this weekend: In celebration of World Pride, the massive LGBTQ celebration happening throughout the month of June.  Iconic buildings like the Bronx Supreme Court, the Hutchinson Metro Center, and the HUB at 149th Street will be lighted with a rainbow flag colors. EmpowHERment Luncheon Tackles Homophobia The annual EmpowHERment luncheon and film screening drew crowds to the Bronx Museum of the Arts for a discussion centered on homophobia and LGBTQ+ injustices occurring throughout the world.  The film Rafaki, highlighted the injustices occuring in Kenya and was used to invoke a dialouge from community members centered on diversity, global challenges, and international stigma. Community Healthcare Network and Third Avenue BID Launch PrEPare for Summer Campaign Public health has a direct link to our local economy. Community Healthcare Network and the Third Avenue BID launched the PrEPare for Summer: Para Roberto Health and Wellness Campaign brings to focus public health and our young people. The campaign promotes health and wellness in the South Bronx and also cultivates and promotes a dialogue centered on prevention and testing. The campaign, is open to everyone, but specifically targets young people of color in the South Bronx.