BP Cancellation Response
Contact:
Earl Fowlkes
Email: efowlkes@dcblackpride.org
Phone: 202-841-7104
Wale Backs Out of DC Black Pride Performance
WASHINGTON, DC (May 21, 2010)—
Black Lesbian and Gay Pride Day, Inc (DC Black Pride) Board of Directors regrets to announce that once again, an Artist and his management has shunned LGBT patrons—the very patrons that buy their records, purchase show tickets, and attend their concerts. Wale and his management team are the latest to join on the unappreciative band wagon and in effect say–thanks but no thanks to gay people!
In mid-April 2010, a talent and booking agent approached Wale’s agents/management team to make an offer for Wale to perform at the 20th DC Black Pride Festival/Health & Wellness Expo on Sun., May 30th at the DC Convention Center. Wale—the self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Rap for the Capital”—and his management team were initially interested, and were then verbally informed that the host of this event was a LGBT organization. Wale’s agents/management team then said that Wale was unavailable and had another event out of town that day.
In early May, Wale’s team approached our DC Black Pride’s representatives and stated that Wale’s event fell through, and they were now interested in performing at our event. DC Black Pride was informed that Wale’s team wanted to move forward; thus, an offer was made and accepted by Wale and his agents/management team, and the contract was signed between DC Black Pride (via representative) and the talent/booking agency on May 10, 2010. The talent/booking agent also emailed Wale’s team a letter from the DC Black Pride Board of Directors describing the organization, its mission, and the weekend’s events.
On Friday, May 14th, DC Black Pride made its grand announcement that Hip-Hop artist/Rapper Wale would be performing at our event. The entire Black LGBT community was excited that a straight popular rapper would appear at DC Black Pride. On May 18, 2010, DC Black Pride was told that Wale was no longer available. At first his management team told the booking agent that Wale wanted to spend more time with his family – Wale lives in the metropolitan area. Then the management team accused the booking agent of not fully disclosing details of the event. After subsequent conversations, it has become further apparent that Wale’s management team did not want to appear at a Black LGBT event–even one called a Health and Wellness Expo. Fortunately, J Holiday has agreed to step in and be the headliner on Sunday, May 30th.
DC Black Pride believes that homophobia in our community is unacceptable and while Wale’s advance payment was returned, his actions are an insult to the Black LGBT community. The DC Black Pride Board of Directors will consider appropriate legal and community action after the Black Pride weekend.
Please visit our website @ www.dcblackpride.org for further details, updates and the entire 2010 Pride Schedule.
#30#
Wale Abruptly Cancels Black Pride Performance Click here to see more.
Contact:
Earl Fowlkes
Email: efowlkes@dcblackpride.org
Phone: 202-841-7104
Wale Backs Out of DC Black Pride Performance
WASHINGTON, DC (May 21, 2010)—
Black Lesbian and Gay Pride Day, Inc (DC Black Pride) Board of Directors regrets to announce that once again, an Artist and his management has shunned LGBT patrons—the very patrons that buy their records, purchase show tickets, and attend their concerts. Wale and his management team are the latest to join on the unappreciative band wagon and in effect say–thanks but no thanks to gay people!
In mid-April 2010, a talent and booking agent approached Wale’s agents/management team to make an offer for Wale to perform at the 20th DC Black Pride Festival/Health & Wellness Expo on Sun., May 30th at the DC Convention Center. Wale—the self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Rap for the Capital”—and his management team were initially interested, and were then verbally informed that the host of this event was a LGBT organization. Wale’s agents/management team then said that Wale was unavailable and had another event out of town that day.
In early May, Wale’s team approached our DC Black Pride’s representatives and stated that Wale’s event fell through, and they were now interested in performing at our event. DC Black Pride was informed that Wale’s team wanted to move forward; thus, an offer was made and accepted by Wale and his agents/management team, and the contract was signed between DC Black Pride (via representative) and the talent/booking agency on May 10, 2010. The talent/booking agent also emailed Wale’s team a letter from the DC Black Pride Board of Directors describing the organization, its mission, and the weekend’s events.
On Friday, May 14th, DC Black Pride made its grand announcement that Hip-Hop artist/Rapper Wale would be performing at our event. The entire Black LGBT community was excited that a straight popular rapper would appear at DC Black Pride. On May 18, 2010, DC Black Pride was told that Wale was no longer available. At first his management team told the booking agent that Wale wanted to spend more time with his family – Wale lives in the metropolitan area. Then the management team accused the booking agent of not fully disclosing details of the event. After subsequent conversations, it has become further apparent that Wale’s management team did not want to appear at a Black LGBT event–even one called a Health and Wellness Expo. Fortunately, J Holiday has agreed to step in and be the headliner on Sunday, May 30th.
DC Black Pride believes that homophobia in our community is unacceptable and while Wale’s advance payment was returned, his actions are an insult to the Black LGBT community. The DC Black Pride Board of Directors will consider appropriate legal and community action after the Black Pride weekend.
Please visit our website @ www.dcblackpride.org for further details, updates and the entire 2010 Pride Schedule.
#30#
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| 2010 DC Black Pride makes history with radio advertisement! |
| Click here to listen to the radio ad. |
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Hamilton Crown Plaza1001 14th St., NW (14th & K St., NW)
Washington, DC
Rates good only until May 15th.
Single & Double $114
Triple $124
Quad $134
Junior Suite $189
Executive Suite $249
Reservation Code: BGP
2010 DC Black Pride Partners |
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DC Black Pride Supporters |
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