Dear Community,

Black LGBTQIA+ Pride is on the rise in Baltimore.

In 2022, Blaq Equity Baltimore started on a journey to grow and sustain our mission of fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness among Black LGBTQIA+ people in Baltimore.

With focus and intention, we began to revitalize our signature program: Baltimore BLAQ Pride. Recognizing we could not do this alone, we established a partnership with the Black Arts District, which had its own goals of uplifting Black LGBTQIA+ art and culture in the City. Without hesitation, the Black Arts District answered our call for help, and became our accomplices in realizing the dream of restoring the relevance of Black LGBTQIA+ Pride in Baltimore. 

We are on a journey to (re)establish Baltimore BLAQ Pride as a major cultural institution in our city. 

The Rise and Return is a calling to the past to illuminate the future. It's the revival of the energy, efforts, and electricity that blazed the trails of Black LGBTQIA+ Pride in Baltimore, and the new push, power, and prowess that will propel us into our next era, for generations to come.

The Rise and Return is answering the call of the elders with the new voices of the youth, to create a harmony that resounds throughout our collective community, uniting us in BLACKNESS and PRIDE.

We are the up and coming children of the original dreamers. We are Baltimore BLAQ Pride.

Welcome to our RISE and RETURN.