The 5th annual Pure Heat Community Festival brought lots of fun and excitement during Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride weekend. On September 4, which is known as the “day of unity,” Pure Heat celebrated the community with performances, educational forums, food vendors, and more.

R&B singer K. Michelle performed her chart-topping hits for thousands in attendance. She also received the 2016 Humanitarian Award presented by The Vision Community Foundation. Three hopefuls also got the opportunity to sing and audition for K. Michelle right on the spot.

Other performances included Tiffany Evans (“Promise Ring”) and Jhonni Blaze (VH1 “Love & Hip Hop”) and featured a round of “Welcomes!” by Trina and Towanda Braxton (WE tv “Braxton Family Values”), Tameka Foster (VH1 “Atlanta Exes”), Mimi Faust and Erica Mena (VH1 “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta”), Karamo Brown (MTV “The Real World”), and Gary Lavard (“About Him”). Independent LGBT artists like Victor Jackson, Nubian King, Rahim Brazil, Denzell Phillips, Cordae Gomes, Neesha Nycee, and BWA performed as well. WE tv “Cutting It: in the ATL” star Beautti J hosted the infamous live hair battle and j-sette dance competition.

Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen (“Vision Community Foundation” Executive Director) Melissa Scott (“Traxx Girls” CEO) and Avian Watson (“Vision Community Foundation” Deputy Director) presented special awards to long time Atlanta Black Gay Pride supporters Ryan Anderson (“SunTrust Bank”), Frederick Anderson (“Freddy O”), Pam Stewart (“Coca Cola”) and Earl Fowlkes Jr. (“Center for Black Equity”).

“The Next 15” star Karamo Brown attended the festival on behalf of Positively Fearless, a movement from Janssen Therapeutics that celebrates being black, brave, proud, gay even being HIV-positive.

The Pure Heat Community Festival is designed bring together the spirit of community, pride, and vision. The Pure Heat Community Festival is a front seat into a spectacular gathering of minority LGBTIQ people and their allies in the heart of Atlanta. For more information, visit: pureheatcommunityfestival.com.

Photo credit: Marcus Ingram/MIE Images