NASHVILLE, TN (5/22/2024) - The 2024 Nashville Pride Parade Grand Marshals selected to lead and engage the Nashville community are country singer Brooke Eden and community leaders Marisa Richmond, Brian Sullivan and Dahron Johnson. The parade kicks off on iconic Broadway on Saturday, June 22 at 10 am at Broadway and 8th Avenue as the official start of the Pride activities in Nashville. The parade is free and open to the public.
The annual Nashville Pride Parade, the largest parade in the state with more than 40,000 people lining the streets, features more than 140 entries including marchers, floats, vehicles, marching bands, and more. More information will be released by Nashville Pride in the coming weeks.
Nashville Pride will also recognize Tina Louise and Mr. Charlie Brown (Posthumously) with the Pride Trailblazer Award, Emily April Allen with the Philanthropic Business Award, and Michelle Sciarappa with the Pride Community Award.
2024 Nashville Pride Parade Grand Marshals
Brooke Eden - Over the last few years, rising star Brooke Eden has become a critically-acclaimed force to be reckoned with in Nashville. Heralded by Billboard as a “fiery country star-in-the-making,” and named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country as well as a Music Row “Next Big Thing,” Eden has used her personal journey to self-acceptance to create music that is both bold and passionate with the message that it is okay to be who you are.
Dr. Marisa Richmond - A member of the Metro Historical Commission and the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Excellence, Equity, and Economic Opportunities for Black Americans, Dr. Marissa Richmond previously served as a member and Past Chair of the Metro Human Relations Commission of the ad hoc Nashville Mayor’s Council on the Status of Women and the Davidson County General Sessions Court Judicial Equity Collective. Previously, she served many years as the President and Lobbyist for the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition.
She is a prolific author and speaker on transgender rights, and has served on many boards at the local, state, and national levels. She has been recognized for her work with many awards, including the Mark Manasco Community Service Award from Nashville Pride in 2016.
Dahron Johnson - A clinically-trained chaplain and licensed minister in the United Church of Christ, Dahron Johnson is a 20-year resident of Nashville, Tennessee. She works with a number of local groups, including the community advisory boards for the Kennedy Center, the Program for LGBTQ+ Health at VUMC, and the Board of the community leadership development organization, Neighbor 2 Neighbor. Her activism work has its home in the Tennessee Equality Project, a group dedicated to legislative advocacy for the rights of LGBTQ+ Tennesseans. In January, Chaplain Johnson became the first openly trans person to speak from the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Brian Sullivan - Advocated for a ban and tougher laws restricting the dangerous and unscientific practice of conversion therapy, for the establishment of the 988 Lifeline that has received over 20 million calls from people in distress and met with several members of the United States Congress advocating for passage of the Cares Act that provides addiction treatment resources throughout the country. His focus on harmful legislation and proport laws and policy assists all marginalized communities in living authentically without fear of discrimination and persecution.
Sullivan serves as Nashville Co-Chair of the Tennessee Equality Project, Executive Board Member of the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee and Assistant Director of Carver Cares providing community assistance to those in Middle Tennessee. He received recognition as a Nashville Emerging Leader of the Year at the NELA Awards for his work in Nashville and beyond.
The first official Nashville Pride took place in 1988 with 2023 marking the 35th Anniversary of the first Nashville Pride. However, LGBTQ+ celebrations in Nashville can be traced back to 1973 with a commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space where the LGBTQ+ community can come together throughout the years.
This year’s Pride Festival will be held on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23 at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Downtown Nashville. General Admission tickets for the festival are $10 per day or $15 for a Weekend Pass. One of the best ways to experience the festival is with a VIP ticket presented by NPS Pharmacy. VIP tickets are expected to sell out again this year. All attendees are encouraged to purchase in advance for easy entrance into the festival. Tickets are available by visiting NashvillePride.org.
The 2024 Nashville Pride Festival is presented by Bridgestone, Nissan, and Nashville CARES and sponsored by NPS Pharmacy, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Amazon, AllianceBernstein, Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, The Journeys Group and Genesco, Dollar General, Vanderbilt Health, Music City PrEP Clinic, Culture Shift Team, and WSMV News 4. For a full list of sponsors visit NashvillePride.org/Sponsors.
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