BIPOC Pride Event

BIPOC Pride at the Peninsula: A Celebration of Resilience and Empowerment

The BIPOC Pride Celebration at presented by TTMOC in partnership with Hampton Roads Pride, Stone Wall Sports Hampton Roads and Stone Wall Sports RVA and City of Newport News, is a vibrant celebration dedicated to empowering the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, Women, and unseen communities in the City of Newport News, Hampton, and Hampton Roads area. This inclusive event, taking place September 18-20, 2026, will feature a community resource fair focused on health and wellness, live performances by local artists and drag performers, educational workshops on crucial topics facing the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ community, and resilience evening social gatherings, a spiritually uplifting Luncheon, and a keynote address focusing on resilience and overcoming adversity. All catering will be provided by locally marginalized-owned vendors, ensuring community support and engagement. This event aims to create a safe and affirming space, foster
community connections, and promote leadership development within the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and additional communities struggling for survival. We are seeking sponsors to partner with us in making this impactful event a reality. The BIPOC Pride seeks to create a transformative experience for the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ community, and survivors in Hampton Roads, fostering a sense of belonging, celebrating resilience, and empowering individuals to become leaders and advocates for themselves and their community. Our vision is a future where BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other marginalized voices are fully embraced and celebrated for their authentic selves

Target Audience:

BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Marginalized individuals, allies, and partners aged 18-65 in the greater Hampton Roads area and beyond, with a particular focus on multicultural, multigenerational impact and those from historically underserved communities, especially within the BIPOC and LGBTQIA spectrum.

Evaluation Plan:

The success of the BIPOC Pride Celebrations will be evaluated through a mixed-methods approach, including:

  • Pre- and post-event surveys assessing attendee satisfaction, knowledge gained from workshops, and sense of community connection.
  • Tracking of attendance at each event component.
  • Collection of feedback through comment cards and online forums.
  • Post-event report summarizing key findings and recommendations for future events.

Sustainability:

We envision the BIPOC Pride as an annual event, growing in scope and impact each year in different areas of Hampton Roads. We will actively seek sponsorships and partnerships with local businesses and organizations to ensure long-term financial sustainability. We will also develop a volunteer program to engage community members in the planning and execution of future events. This will be our 2nd BIPOC Pride, but it has piqued the interest of the majority of Hampton Roads, Richmond, and the surrounding areas.

Event Components:

1. Opening, Networking Mixer and Celebration:

  • Date & Time: Friday, September 18, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Location: TBA
  • Details: A welcoming opening. This event provides an opportunity for attendees to network, build community bonds, and connect with local leaders and advocates. Live music, performances, and dancing will kick off the weekend festivities.

2. Community Resource Workshops, Panel Discussions, Keynote, and Healing Event & Festival:

  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 2025, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Location:
  • Details: A welcoming opening. This event provides an opportunity for attendees to learn, heal, network, build community bonds, and connect with local leaders and advocates. Live music and performances will kick off the weekend festivities.
  • Dedicated Healing Space: Sound baths or meditation circles, massage or bodywork, I.M.T services, story-sharing circles or journaling, herbalism or aromatherapy workshops, art therapy, or guided creative expression.
  • Details: A grounding event centered on wellness, community care, and collective healing.
  • Conference Workshops and Keynote:
  • Sessions: Workshops led by experienced professionals and community leaders on topics including:

“Financial Literacy for Marginalized Individuals”

“Advocating for Rights in Your Community”

“Building Resilience in the Face of Discrimination”

“Intersectionality and Identity within the BIPOC accepting the LGBTQIA+ Community.”

  • Keynote: A motivational speech sharing personal journey and insights on overcoming adversity, connecting the message to the themes of resilience and empowerment highlighted throughout the weekend.
  • Resource Booths: Local organizations providing information on community development, immigrant refugee support, blood bank, voter registration, housing, healthcare access, mental health services, LGBTQIA+ support services, and legal aid.
  • Food Trucks: A diverse selection of food vendors offering various cuisines, with a focus on marginalized-owned businesses.

3. Awards and Scholarships:

  • Date & Time: Sunday, September 20, 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Location:
  • Details:

Theme: Navigating with Resilience

Menu: Light refreshments

Program: Live performances

Logistics & Planning:

  • Facility Reservations: Requesting full access to the venue and volunteers.
  • Catering Services: RFPs will be issued to marginalized individuals to ensure a fair and competitive selection process and culturally resonant menu options.
  • Entertainment: Drag performers will be selected through an open call within the local drag community. Celebrity guests will be contacted through their agents or publicists. Budget line items are included for talent fees.
  • Marketing & Promotion:

Target Audience: BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and allies aged 18-45 in the City of Newport News, Hampton, and the greater Hampton Roads area.

Strategies: Utilize social media platforms, targeted ads, influencer outreach, local radio stations, community bulletin boards, partnerships with local and national LGBTQIA+ organizations, and targeted outreach to college campuses.

Accessibility: The BIPOC Pride is committed to being accessible to all attendees. We will ensure wheelchair accessibility at all venues.

The BIPOC Pride will be a powerful and transformative event, creating a vibrant and inclusive space that celebrates diversity, fosters community connections, and empowers BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals to become leaders and advocates.

This event will have a lasting positive impact on the community by promoting visibility, building resilience, and fostering a sense of belonging for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other individuals in Hampton Roads.