UK Black Pride 2021 in 15 amazing pictures: ‘It’s not one moment – it’s a movement’
"It's a whole community, and many communities within that, that come together to really highlight that we need each other," explained co-founder Lady Phyll at this year's event.
Words: Jamie Tabberer; pictures: Haus of Melanin at UK Black Pride (left), Glow with Ola & Rikki Beadle-Blair at UK Black Pride (Burak Cingi/Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
UK Black Pride has returned for its latest installment with an array of explosive speakers and performers who took to the stage at London’s Roundhouse this weekend.
Europe’s largest celebration for African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Caribbean-heritage LGBTQI+ people returned on 4 July.
Usually, UK Black Pride is a physical event that takes place annually in London’s Haggerston Park: this year’s was digital-first owing to ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
“Some of the best and brightest talent”
Speaking to Getty Images at the event, UK Black Pride co-founder and executive director Lady Phyll explained: “UK Black Pride is not just about a one moment, it’s a whole movement. It’s a whole community, and many communities within that, that come together to really highlight that we need each other and need to be holding each other at this particular time.
“I think about George Floyd and the brutal murder on the streets in the States. That wasn’t new for us. It’s something we’ve been seeing for so long. It’s something that continues to strip us of all our dignity.
“But what we’re saying to people, is it’s not just celebration. It really is about our everyday lives, our trans and non-binary siblings who are Black and who are brown who continue to face hurt and harm through media. It’s about our young queer people who are just looking to make sure they don’t have to sofa surf. That they’ve got a stable home.
“When you think about how Pride started, it was not just that celebration. It was Sylvia Rivera, Stormé DeLarverie, it was Marsha P. Johnson on the streets talking about police brutality, the need to access safe housing, the need to have education, the need to have food.
“That’s what Black Pride centers: making sure it’s people over profit, that it’s about our Black and brown bodies and lives that are centered.”
Actor/playwright/director/multitalent Rikki Beadle-Blair (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Aaron Carty and the Beyoncé Experience bust some moves on stage at the Roundhouse (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
UK Black Pride co-founder Lady Phyll addresses the camera (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
‘Shortcut to World Peace’ singer NEO 10Y takes the mic (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Haus of Melanin pose up a storm backstage at the Roundhouse (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Multidisciplinary non-binary performance artist Shiva Raichandani (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Musician Darkoo, known for tracks like ‘Gangsta’ and ‘Juicy'(Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Singer/songwriter/producer Emmavie, known for tracks like ‘Uh Huh Okay’ and ‘Energy’ (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Musician Laville is meanwhile known for songs like ‘Easy’ and ‘Split In 2’ (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
SHEGOTSOUL takes to the decks (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Lady Bushra looking fierce (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Slag Wars star Tyreece serves body (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Afrobeats urban pop group AfroSwagg (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Comedian, writer and producer Kemah Bob speaks out (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)
Drag star Yshee Black in the outfit of the festival! (Photo by Burak Cingi/Getty Images for UK Black Pride)