Center for Black Equity
The Center for Black Equity is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a nationwide network of Black Pride events and advocacy programs to improve health, economic, and social equity for Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Center for Black Equity does
The Center for Black Equity (CBE) is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a multinational network dedicated to improving the lives of Black LGBTQ+ individuals across three pillars: Health Equity, Economic Equity, and Social Equity. The organization traces its origins to the first Black Pride celebration held May 25, 1991, in Washington, DC, evolved into the International Federation of Black Prides (IFBP) in 1999, and rebranded as the Center for Black Equity in July 2012 under founder Earl D. Fowlkes Jr.
CBE's core offerings center on a nationwide network of affiliated Black Pride events in more than 30 cities, including the flagship DC Black Pride, the signature BE. Gala for Black Equity, and regional celebrations such as Hotter Than July (Detroit), Philadelphia Black Pride, Black Pride St. Louis, Nashville Black Pride, and South Florida Black Pride. Beyond events, the organization runs programmatic initiatives including the CBE Political Action Fund, Public Policy Network, the Dr. Ron Simmons CBE Leadership Institute, a Transgender Task Force, an HIV testing and 340B Drug Pricing Program Locator, a Voting Hub for civic engagement, and communication services (newsletter, mobile messaging). Membership and engagement are supported through a Wild Apricot-powered membership portal and a Squarespace-hosted website.
CBE is funded through individual donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and ticketed event revenue (BE. Gala), with sponsorship relationships including AARP, Burlington, NGLCC, Pflag, G-O Media, and The G-Listed. The organization has no parent company, no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no technology products; its competitive position rests on three decades of community organizing, brand recognition, and a structurally hard-to-replicate affiliate network of regional Black Pride organizations.
Center for Black Equity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center for Black Equity
- Legal name
- Center for Black Equity
- Website
- https://centerforblackequity.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Center for Black Equity is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a nationwide network of Black Pride events and advocacy programs to improve health, economic, and social equity for Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center for Black Equity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Community Services
- NAICS
- Human Rights Organizations (813311)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Community Health & Health Equity/Social Determinants Units (HLAJAAAO)
Keywords
Where Center for Black Equity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Center for Black Equity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: CBE generates revenue through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors supporting their mission of improving equity for Black LGBTQ+ communities through health, economic, and social equity initiatives.
- Gala Events: Annual BE. Gala for Black Equity serves as both a celebration of community achievement and a fundraising event, bringing together advocates, allies, and changemakers.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide financial and media support, including official media sponsors and online media platform partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | BE. Gala tickets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Center for Black Equity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Center for Black Equity (CBE) is a nonprofit organization that operates a national network of Black Pride events and advocacy programs to improve health, economic, and social equity for Black LGBTQ+ individuals. Its core offerings include flagship Black Pride celebrations (DC Black Pride and the BE. Gala), a federated network of affiliated Black Pride organizations across more than 30 U.S. cities, the CBE Political Action Fund and Public Policy Network for advocacy, HIV testing and 340B program locator health resources, the Ron Simmons Leadership Institute, and a Voting Hub for civic engagement.
Product overview
The Center for Black Equity operates as a multinational LGBTQ+ advocacy organization focused on improving the lives of Black LGBTQ+ individuals through three core equity pillars: Economic Equity, Social Equity, and Health Equity. The organization functions as a platform-and-programs model, combining flagship events (DC Black Pride, BE. Gala), a national Black Pride network spanning over 30 cities, advocacy initiatives (CBE Political Action Fund, Public Policy Network), health programs (HIV testing, 340B Program Locator), civic engagement tools (Voting Hub), communication services (newsletter, mobile messaging), and community resources (Leadership Institute, Blogs & Podcasts Directory, Reports & Toolkits). The portfolio is organized around event programming, advocacy, health equity, and community resources rather than a traditional technology product.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BE. Gala: Premier gala celebrating Black LGBTQ+ brilliance, leadership, and liberation.
- Ron Simmons Leadership Institute
- CBE Political Action Fund
- Public Policy Network
Products and services
- DC Black Pride The flagship Black Pride celebration held annually in Washington, DC over Memorial Day weekend, serving as a premier event for the Black LGBTQ+ community featuring entertainment, wellness activities, and community gatherings.
- BE. Gala The Center for Black Equity's premier annual gala celebrating Black LGBTQ+ brilliance, leadership, and liberation, bringing together advocates, allies, and changemakers committed to equity and joy. Ticketed event with general admission pricing (e.g., $10 for DC Black Pride Awards Reception).
- Black LGBTQ+ Pride Events Network A network of official Black Pride celebrations across multiple cities including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit (Hotter Than July), St. Louis, South Florida, Nashville, Baltimore, Boston, San Diego, Kentucky, Las Vegas, and more, supporting Black LGBTQ+ community gatherings nationwide.
- CBE Political Action Fund A political advocacy initiative dedicated to influencing public policy in areas of health, social, and economic equity impacting Black LGBTQ+ communities at local, state, and national levels.
- Public Policy Network A program providing public policy information to CBE and member Black Pride organizations to influence policy development affecting Black LGBTQ+ communities.
- Ron Simmons Leadership Institute A leadership development program named in honor of Dr. Ron Simmons, addressing individual and organizational leadership issues among Black Pride organizations and Black LGBTQ+ community members.
- Voting Hub A comprehensive voter engagement platform providing resources including voter registration, absentee ballot requests, election reminders, and ballot information to empower Black LGBTQ+ civic participation.
- HIV Testing Services Health equity initiatives providing HIV testing, prevention resources, and navigation services including PrEP referrals at Black Pride events and partner locations.
- 340B Drug Pricing Program Locator A resource tool helping community members locate 340B Drug Pricing Program providers, supporting access to affordable medications for Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Membership Portal A members-only portal providing access to exclusive content, resources, and community engagement opportunities for Center for Black Equity members.
Quantifiable outcome
- Saved 113,000 lives through vaping harm reduction advocacy
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Center for Black Equity
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Center for Black Equity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Center for Black Equity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- G-O MediacoreG-O Media serves as the Official Media Sponsor for CBE, providing media support and visibility for CBE programs and events supporting Black LGBTQ+ communities.
- The G-ListedcoreThe G-Listed is the Official Online Media Platform Partner for CBE, celebrating and empowering influences and influencers of Black LGBTQ-SGL cultures and community.
- Dr. Robert J. ShapirocoreCollaborated on groundbreaking research quantifying health and economic benefits of switching from smoking to vaping for Black and LGBTQ+ communities, authored first-of-its-kind analysis on tobacco harm reduction.
- LGBT DetroitcorePartner organization presenting Hotter Than July Black Pride celebration in Detroit, part of CBE's network of affiliated Black Pride organizations.
- Philadelphia Black PridecoreAffiliated Black Pride organization part of CBE's national network, presenting annual Pride celebrations and community programs.
- Black Pride St. LouiscoreAffiliated Black Pride organization presenting annual Pride celebrations part of CBE's connected network.
- Minnesota People of Color LGBT PridecoreAffiliated organization presenting annual Pride focused on people of color within LGBTQ+ communities, part of CBE network.
- Vegas Black PridecoreAffiliated Black Pride organization presenting Pride events in Las Vegas including wellness weekends, part of CBE network.
- South Carolina Black PridecoreAffiliated Black Pride organization celebrating 20th anniversary in 2026, presenting annual Pride festivals.
- Kentucky Black PridecoreAffiliated Black Pride organization celebrating 10th anniversary in 2026, presenting annual Pride festivals.
- San Bernardino County Black PridecoreAffiliated Black Pride organization presenting annual Pride celebrations in California.
- Boston Lesbigay Urban FoundationcorePartner organization presenting Boston Black Pride and Boston Urban Pride events.
- Dallas Southern PridecorePartner presenting Juneteenth Unity Celebration events in Dallas.
- Afro Pride Federation Inc.coreOrganization presenting South Florida Black Pride events.
- BLAQ Equity BaltimorecoreOrganization presenting Baltimore BLAQ Pride events.
- Reclaiming Us A Black Pride Wellness MovementcoreOrganization presenting Vegas Black Pride Wellness Weekend events.
- Us Giving Richmond Connections Inc.coreOrganization presenting Black Pride RVA events in Richmond, Virginia.
- AARPminorCorporate sponsor supporting CBE's mission and programs.
- BurlingtonminorCorporate sponsor listed on CBE sponsors page.
- NGLCCminorNational LGBT Chamber of Commerce partnership supporting LGBTQ+ business community.
- PflagminorPflag organization partnership supporting family and ally education.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Center for Black Equity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Center for Black Equity social profiles
Digital presenceCenter for Black Equity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center for Black Equity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Center for Black Equity subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Center for Black Equity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Center for Black Equity M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Center for Black Equity
What does Center for Black Equity do?
The Center for Black Equity (CBE) is a nonprofit organization that operates a national network of Black Pride events and advocacy programs to improve health, economic, and social equity for Black LGBTQ+ individuals. Its core offerings include flagship Black Pride celebrations (DC Black Pride and the BE. Gala), a federated network of affiliated Black Pride organizations across more than 30 U.S. cities, the CBE Political Action Fund and Public Policy Network for advocacy, HIV testing and 340B program locator health resources, the Ron Simmons Leadership Institute, and a Voting Hub for civic engagement.
Is Center for Black Equity a public or private company?
Center for Black Equity is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Center for Black Equity founded?
Center for Black Equity was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Center for Black Equity based?
Center for Black Equity is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Center for Black Equity make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are gala Events and corporate Sponsorships.
Does Center for Black Equity have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center for Black Equity.
What industry is Center for Black Equity in?
Center for Black Equity's product category is LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Community Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAE, LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations, with a secondary code of BPAGACAL, Public Health & Health Equity Organizations. Its NAICS code is 813311 and its SIC code is 8300.