ORLANDO, Fla. — For the second year in a row, Aliyah Proctor has helped bring together hundreds of people for a Juneteenth celebration centered on community, culture and inclusion.
As a volunteer with Come Out With Pride, Proctor leads the organization’s annual Colors of Courage event, a family-friendly Juneteenth celebration designed to celebrate the intersection of Black and LGBTQ+ identities while creating a welcoming space for the community.
“I think it’s incredibly important and impactful because we are directly creating these spaces and curating events for marginalized groups of people within our LGBTQ+ community here in Central Florida,” Proctor said.
In the days leading to the event at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, Proctor and fellow volunteers could be found packing supplies, organizing T-shirts and making final preparations before attendees arrived.
Proctor said she saw a need for an event that celebrates both Juneteenth and the experiences of Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
“There was definitely a need when it comes to Juneteenth and the intersectionality of African American queer people,” she said.
Those who work alongside Proctor say her commitment to serving others is what makes her such an effective community leader.
“One of the things that is really nice about Aliyah is that she is so community-based, and she does not mind speaking up for those who have no voices,” said Darcel Stevens, Outreach and Marketing director with Harmony Healthcare.
For Proctor, the work is deeply personal. She hopes today’s young people have access to the kind of welcoming environments she didn’t always experience growing up.
“Wanting to kind of pave the way for the youth to know that it’s okay to be who they are and express themselves openly and know that it’s okay doing that,” she said.
The annual Colors of Courage celebration features entertainment, vendors, community resources and activities for families while honoring both Juneteenth and LGBTQ+ Pride.
Shea Cutliff, director of the Colors of Courage Collective and a board member with Come Out With Pride, said the organization is always looking for more volunteers to help make events like this possible.
“We are always open to bright new talent, and we welcome those who are willing to do the work,” Cutliff said.
For Proctor, volunteering continues to be driven by one simple goal: making a difference.
“As a volunteer, the impact is really why I do it. It feels fulfilling for me, and I think that’s why it is my passion,” she said.