Assisted by Day-Glo body paint, black lights and “cosmic coolers,” nearly 250 guests took the party to outer space as New Voices Pittsburgh celebrated its 12th anniversary with its Black to the Future 12th Anniversary Gala at WQED Studios in Oakland.
“With our Black to the Future Celebration, New Voices is honoring our past as we inspire our supporters to help us build the future of our movement to protect and expand the Human Rights of Black women, femmes and girls,” said NVP Founder and Executive Director La’Tasha Mayes.
In addition to the cosmic coolers—a vodka, citrus and CO2-chilled concoction provided by the Common Plea––partiers enjoyed live entertainment from Turntable Ruckus and ABAFASI, led by master Djembe drummer Kelly E. Parker, “Black to the Future” time capsules, a Tap Snap social media photo booth, as well as recognition of exceptional leadership in New Voices, catering by Big Burrito Group and the Common Plea, and a Liquid Nitrogen dessert station courtesy of Bella Christie.
Before the guests got too far into the future, Mayes, various board members and sponsors thanked everyone for their support and urged them to keep on fighting.
“We started this in 2004 because there was nothing and no place for women of color to get pol active,” said Board Chair Alecia Young. “So support community organizing, fund community organizing. It’s the only thing that ever changed anything in this country.”
Carmen Anderson, representing sponsor the Heinz Endowments said she was proud to see such a room full of advocates. She was also impressed with the event itself.
“You know, I throw a pretty good party,” she said. “But La’Tasha throws a really good party.”
New Voices Cleveland Director of Community Organizing Jasmine Burnett agreed, and had the costume to prove it.
“I’m dressed as a futuristic Medusa because I want to be able to intimidate misogynistic men,” she said.
“But this is not only an opportunity to dress up and get crazy, it’s also important to have a space where you can be creative and express how you care about human rights and justice. It’s an opportunity to be free. And even if it’s only for a few hours, we can make this space as beautiful as possible.”
Mayes also thanked everyone, joking that—as one of the founders—she thanked herself first.
“No I’m kidding, sort of,” she said. “I would do this work for free—I have done it for free. But when I look at all of you, 12 years later, I couldn’t have imagined what this day would be. We are building the next generation of leaders.”
(J.L. Martello contributed to this story.)
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