Kalamazoo Black Pride

Kalamazoo Black Pride is a celebration of queer Black joy held in Bates Alley in downtown Kalamazoo. OutFront Kalamazoo and the Institute of Public Scholarship launched it in 2026 as the city's first Black Pride festival. The after party at the Institute of Public Scholarship featured DJs, a silent disco, and a poetry open mic.

Kalamazoo Black Pride was planned by a steering committee of staff and volunteers from OutFront Kalamazoo and the Institute of Public Scholarship. The organizers set out to address the long underrepresentation of Black, Brown and other people of color within the LGBTQIA+ community, noting that Black trans activists have always led the fight against oppression while mainstream Pride events often leave that history out and center white cisgender gay men. They describe the event as a safe, affirming space for queer Black people to celebrate their culture and heritage.

The festival takes the form of a block party in Bates Alley, working with the businesses there along with local entertainers and vendors from Kalamazoo's queer Black community. Many Bates Alley businesses offer signature cocktails, mocktails and other specials. Entry is $8, with pay-what-you-can and pay-it-forward options, and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Proceeds support both host organizations. Organizers planned for up to 50 volunteers and especially encouraged allies to help so community members could simply attend.

OutFront Kalamazoo was founded in 1987 as the Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center, starting with a phone resource line and a two-page newsletter. It held its first Kalamazoo Pride in 2008 at Arcadia Creek Festival Place, took its current name in 2017, and in 2025 moved into its first owned building on South Westnedge Avenue in the Vine neighborhood.

Black Pride events center Black LGBTQ+ people. Many run over a long weekend, with parties, panels, health and wellness programs and community gatherings.

Kalamazoo Black Pride has included festival, after party and poetry open mic.

Kalamazoo Black Pride was first held in 2026.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held August 29, 2026. It usually falls late August.