Black Joy Parade honors 3 ‘Icons Among Us’

In the course of the annual Black Pleasure Parade, held final month, three members of the group have been honored with “icons amongst us” costs. This yr’s Honorees are Joyce Gordon, founding father of Joyce Gordon Gallery; Tyrone Stevenson Jr. (also called Baybe Champ), founder and CEO of the Original Scraper Bike Team; and Gigi R. Crowder, CEO of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Contra Costa. The occasion, supported by Comcast, additionally included an artwork present in Joyce Gordon Gallery to commemorate the fifth birthday of the prize.

“We frequently wait till our heroes have died to honor and rejoice them, however these heroes are right here they usually did the work,” stated Elisha Greenwell, the Black Pleasure Parade founder and CEO. “Let’s cease ready and now give them their flowers.”

Since Greenwell and Amber Lester based the Black Pleasure Parade in 2017, it has turn into an vital group occasion that pulls guests and will increase the economic system of Oakland. The “Icons of US” award, launched in 2020, celebrates the motion outdoors the Parade and the competition by recognizing native activists and leaders nominated by the group who concentrate on elevating the group. Every receiver receives $ 5,000 to donate to a non -profit of his alternative. 15 individuals have been honored for the reason that launch in 2020.

As well as, Oakland’s Juvenile Media Coaching Program receives a subsidy with which college students could make brief movies in documentary fashion in regards to the Awardes. Jeugdbeat informs, authorizes and makes use of youth and affords greater than 450 college students a yr free digital media coaching and entry to excessive -quality profession alternatives.

“By way of our social enterprise we assist organizations to make use of video to strengthen and inform tales,” stated Jalil Butron, artistic director of Youthbeat. “Each mission creates financial alternatives in Oakland and elevates the assorted voices, skills and views of scholars.”

Meet the icons of 2025 amongst us

Joyce Gordon is a key determine within the artwork group of Oakland and the founding father of Joyce Gordon GalleryWho has been black artists for greater than 20 years and has promoted inventive dialogue. Born in Louisiana and raised in Berkeley, she was impressed by the inventive circles of her youth. After finding out on the California School of the Arts, she opened her gallery within the middle of Oakland, with the goal of making an inclusive house for black artists.

The gallery has proven works by outstanding artists corresponding to Raymond Saunders and Jacob Lawrence, and has turn into a group shub for faculties, non -profit organizations and activists. In 2018 she based the Oakland Youth Artwork Explosion (Oyae) to supply artwork entry to deprived younger individuals. Due to her non -profit, the Joyce Gordon Basis of the Arts, she continues to assist younger artists and promote group connections.

The affect of Gordon extends past her gallery, making her a mentor and advocate for black artists and the broader group.

Tyrone Stevenson Jr. (Baybe Champ) is the founder and CEO of the Original Scraper Bike TeamA non-profit group that’s subordinated younger individuals empowerment via bicycles, schooling and artistic self-expression. Stevenson, a resident of Oakland and Cal State East Bay with a diploma in non -profit administration, created the staff on the age of 16, pushed by a ardour to return to his group. Acknowledged as a Jefferson Awards “Globe Changer” in 2011, he expands Scraper Bicycles nationwide, whereas additionally selling well being and welfare initiatives and youth entrepreneurship.

Gigi R. CrowderAdditionally a resident of Oakland is the CEO of NAMI Contra CostaThat helps residents and communities which are affected by psychological issues. Crowder is an elder in her church and is a devoted lawyer for psychological well being care who makes use of champion utilizing the group outlined and faith-based methods and approaches to enhance the outcomes of behavioral well being for African-Individuals. In 2022 she targeted and led the very profitable 40 Voices marketing campaign, through which she declared a name for motion and pushed counter -Costa County to finance Afro -American holistic wellness and useful resource hub.