Empowering Community Through Celebration

Newark Pride 2024, a nine-month planning process, resulted in a record-breaking turnout, with hundreds of attendees celebrating diversity, inclusion, and love in Newark. The festival secured over $50K in sponsorships and engaged a team of 13 volunteers over the entire cycle, culminating in an epic seven-day celebration.

Process & Approach: The process began in the fall of 2023 with the formation of a core team and strategic planning. As the festival organizer, I co-led a volunteer board and coordinated a network of 13 volunteers throughout the nine-month planning phase. Together, we organized every aspect of the event, including logistics, sponsor outreach, vendor management, and talent booking. We used a combination of online tools, regular check-ins, and clear delegation to ensure the planning process ran smoothly. A key to success was effective communication, keeping all volunteers and partners on track, with frequent updates and meetings.

In the final stretch, the planning turned into action, where the challenge was managing the day-of operations. This included overseeing 7-day festival logistics, which involved hundreds of volunteers, vendors, and talent. The team’s role was to ensure everything from the opening ceremony to vendor setup, entertainment, and safety was flawlessly executed. Additionally, we maintained a strong social media presence, using it as a tool to build excitement and engage the community ahead of the event.

Results & Impact: The festival exceeded all expectations, with over 1,000 attendees and a stellar lineup of talent, workshops, and entertainment. The sponsorship funds allowed us to provide free programming, further elevating the event’s accessibility. This year’s festival wasn’t just about celebration—it also served as a platform for advocacy, where important local LGBTQIA+ issues were discussed, and organizations provided valuable resources to attendees. The festival garnered media coverage, solidified lasting partnerships with corporate sponsors, and drew attention to Newark as a central hub for LGBTQIA+ pride.

Lessons Learned: Effective volunteer management is paramount when scaling an event. Building a dedicated team, staying in constant communication, and empowering volunteers were keys to the festival’s success. The volunteer board proved invaluable as decision-makers and ambassadors for the event, helping to shape the programming and outreach efforts. Additionally, the importance of managing both the macro and micro details throughout the planning process cannot be overstated—balancing the big-picture strategy with on-the-ground execution ensured the event’s seamless operation.

Lastly, staying connected to the community through social media and partnerships allowed us to ensure the event resonated with Newark’s diverse population. The event was not just a celebration but a powerful example of community collaboration and the power of inclusivity.

Support Newark Pride Programming Here.