Written by | Ray Cornelius
I had the pleasure of covering the Black Gay Pride Pure Heat Festival Sunday afternoon at Atlanta’s historic Piedmont Park. The free event featured a variety of musical performances, local entertainment, food vendors, educational forums and more.
R&B singer-songwriter and reality star K. Michelle was presented with this year’s Humanitarian Award on behalf of the Vision Community Foundation. The pint-size beauty was overwhelmed by the love and support of her LGBTQ fans and performed a medley of her hits including “V.S.O.P” and “Can’t Raise a Man.”
Michelle also announced that she is partnering with Jack Daniels Whiskey for a new alcoholic beverage and is the first African-American celebrity to do so with the iconic brand. She also said that she was helping Atlantic Records find new talent and held impromptu auditions on stage in front of the lively crowd. “I promised myself that if I ever made it, I would bring others along with me,” said the singer to the crowd of screaming fans.
Other highlights throughout the evening included appearances by singer Tiffany Evans, Love and Hip Hop‘s Jhoni Blaze and celebrity wardrobe stylist Tameka Foster. Braxton Family Values‘ Trina and Towanda Braxton stopped by to announce auditions for their new LGBTQ reality series and media personality and reality star Karamo Brown was there on behalf of Positively Fearless, a new campaign that celebrates being Black, gay and HIV positive.
Other celebrities spotted on stage included Cutting It in the ATL‘s Beautii J, who helped to judge the infamous J-Sette Dance Competition and Love and Hip Hop stars Erica Mena and Mimi Faust, who presented an award to celebrity blogger FreddYo for his outstanding support of the LGBTQ community.
See more images below:
Towanda and Trina Braxton with
Karamo Brown and Deondre Moore of Positively Fearless
Trina and Towanda Braxton on stage at Pure Heat
Towanda Braxton talking to fans
K. Michelle overwhelmed by the crowd
K. Michelle looked amazing in her sparkling top and cut up jeans
K. Michelle thanked her fans for their years of support
Bishop Oliver Allen presenting K. Michelle with the Humanitarian Award
K. Michelle performed a medley of her hits
K. Michelle is partnering with Jack Daniels Whiskey #YAY
K. Michelle taking a selfie with one of the singers who auditioned for Atlantic Records. Her rendition of Whitney Houton‘s classic song “I Have Nothing” blew us all away
Beautii J with the J-Setting Dance Champions
Erica Mena and Mimi Faust presenting Freddyo with his award
Freddyo was honored for his support of the LGBTQ community
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com
