The "Moving Forward" Black Pride Festival in the Grove
On Sunday, August 16, the "Moving Forward" Black Pride Festival took place in the Grove. At turns high-spirited and quietly emotional, it featured music, dancing, speeches and remembrances of those lost to violence. All photos by Micah Usher.
Lady Etha and her entourage.
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Lady Etha, entertaining the crowd.
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Willie Sparks, a dancer with some really fuzzy boots!
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Nikki Dynasty singing "Rolling on the River" during the entertainment portion of the evening.
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Members of the "Moving Forward" Black Pride festival release balloons one at a time as a tribute to all who have lost their lives through violence as their names are called out.
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Rhonda Biven-Wren speaks on the Black Lives Matter movement: "We don't want police to come into our neighborhoods and be scared of us," she said. "You don't need to look like us to protect us, but you do need to understand us."
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Dawn Bland, Keisha Simmons and Deborah Perry cooling off in the shade and watching the musical performances.
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Will Bogan and Ja'Len Flowers.
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Dj, Kia Sanchez and LaRon having a band moment.
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Debora Perry and Tia Davis.
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Women of Klutch-N-Khrome Motorcycle Clube St. Louis Chapter.
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Women of Klutch-N-Khrome Motorcycle Clube St. Louis Chapter and their awesome jackets.
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Rib tips are always a great option.
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Sherry Dickerson releases balloons one at a time as a tribute to all who have lost their lives through violence as the victims' names are called out.
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David Patton of the student newspaper at Forest Park Community College.
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Metro Trans Umbrella Group booth.
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Lady Ashley Gregory, Kale and Capella Marissa of Metro Trans Umbrella Group for Queer and Trans People of Color.
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Lady Etha and her entourage.
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Nekay Jones speaks on the importance of staying together as a culteral movement: "We must honor ourselves to respect ourselves, not kill ourselves."
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Rico speaks on the lack of a black LGBT industry in St. Louis.
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