The San Francisco Bay Times’ third annual celebration of “Honoring LGBTQ+ Black Women Leaders & Allies” attracted one of the largest gatherings of its kind, including a standing room only crowd at The Academy SF on Friday, February 21, 2025.
The program opened with a surprise appearance by former San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who gave rousing remarks and shared that this was one of her first public engagements in 2025 as a speaker and participant.
Each of the invited honorees was introduced by co-emcees Judy Young, UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health Executive Director, and Dr. Tyler TerMeer (“Dr. T”), SF AIDS Foundation CEO, who inspired guests with their heartfelt remarks, signature style, and undeniable charisma. They led the Roll Call of honorees with, for each recipient, a presentation of flowers and a Black History Month engraved keepsake item custom-designed by Fran Herman and Audry DeLucia of ellaprint.
A moment of remembrance and reflection was included in the program when longtime noted leaders Brendalynn Goodall and Nicole Griffin presented remarks and a display of photos in memory of activists Peggy Moore and her wife Hope Wood, who were honored posthumously. Goodall recalled Moore’s attendance at this event in February 2024, just months before the couple died in a tragic accident.
Also on hand to honor special guest, Grammy-nominated performing artist Nadirah Shakoor, were San Francisco Pride’s Suzanne Ford, Executive Director, and Pride Board President Joshua Smith, who presented to Shakoor an authenticated Pride Flag flown on Market Street. A proclamation from San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman was presented by legislative aide Anh Ha. Shakoor’s performance was accompanied by Lady Ryan, a star Bay Area DJ and radio personality, presented by Olivia Travel.
The San Francisco Bay Times extends special thanks to Nate Bourg, Sparks, Judy Young, Lisa Williams, Brendalynn Goodall, Suzanne Ford, Eric Jost, Tom Paulino, Victor Ruiz-Cornejo, Music by Black, and our local team supporting Shakoor: Juan Davila, Warren Alderson, Steve Scheitlin, Karen Bardsley, and Don Berger/Regency Limo.
In addition to Olivia Travel, the event was sponsored by the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, San Francisco Pride, Genentech, The SF Transgender District, The National Center for Lesbian Rights, the SF LGBT Center, Soul of Pride, and The Bayard Rustin Coalition.
Divas and Drinks at the Academy
Published on February 27, 2025
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