Join the August Wilson African American Cultural Center for our 4th annual Pride and Joy, an unforgettable celebration uplifting and honoring Black queer joy, creativity, music, and community on June 26th from 6pm-12am. This vibrant evening will bring together dynamic performances, incredible talent, and powerful energy in a space created to celebrate authenticity, connection, and pride.
The evening will begin with a special live podcast experience, RIANOUTLOUD! hosted by Rian-Louis from 7:00 PM–8:30 PM. This engaging conversation will feature Black queer community and arts leaders and changemakers discussing creativity, identity, community impact, and the importance of visibility and representation within the arts and beyond. There will be light refreshments and a cash bar.
The night will continue with a party from 9pm-12am, hosted by the incomparable Rian-Louis. The night will also feature an opening performance by Maya Universe at 9:45pm and a headlining performance by Manny Dibiachi at 10:00pm, setting the stage for an evening full of artistry and expression. Guests can also experience an exciting DJ battle between veteran HUNY XO and rising talent Queen Father, bringing unforgettable sounds to the celebration all night.
Come dance, celebrate, connect, and experience a night centered on love, liberation, and community.
Free STI testing and health resources will also be available on-site through our partner, Central Outreach. Food can be purchased by Quick-E Food Truck.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our partners, True T, Central Outreach, and Pittsburgh Black Pride. We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Rian-Louis and RIANOUTLOUD! Podcast for not only serving as host and the live podcast experience, but for providing creative direction and artistic support in helping bring Pride and Joy to life. Their vision, creativity, and collaboration have been instrumental in shaping this celebration of Black queer excellence and joy.
Manny Dibiachi
Manny Dibiachi lives outside the box. Rhyming over fluid beats and creating his own through his vicious wordplay. Fighting social stigmas, he uses his music to speak through the human experience. Dibiachi is a Pittsburgh born and raised artist. His talents are songwriting, rapping, singing, and composing. He is a self-taught engineer, and most of his works are that of his own recording
Maya Universe
Maya Universe is making their name as a club dj and independent pop singer. Even as a new act, Maya has already shared the bill with the likes of Cupcaake(CHI) Big Freedia(NOLA) Daniro (NY) and Amarji King (HTX) Their dexterity behind the decks has earned them the opportunity to share their production and vocal performances as well. Serving eccentric looks and their soft and sultry vocals are alluring and have a strong appeal in a saturated market. From expressing black girl whimsy to unleashing the ethereal baddie with a message – Maya the has ear, the range, the talent and the vocals to deliver a pride performance like no other.
HUNY XO
huny young, aka HUNY XO (she/they), is a DJ and event curator soundtracking and producing events via the Mostbeautifullest collective which she founded in 2017.
Bred in New York, NY and currently based in Pittsburgh (named Person of the Year in Music 2021 by Pittsburgh City Paper), huny’s work in music and the visual arts is rooted in exalting Black women & QTBIPOC communities. As a co-founder of Honcho’s Queer Fam Fund and a Honcho Campout guest curator, as well as consulting on diversity outreach for other festivals and institutions, her mission to expand visibility and access in nightlife as a cultural worker is a through-line in everything she touches.
Beyond PGH, huny has played Brooklyn, LA, San Francisco, Philly, Detroit, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, and Morelos, MX. Her festival credits include Honcho Campout, Somos, Desertopia, and Bahidora. Referred to as a “rising star” by LA’s Muy Muy Limited and a “Pittsburgh staple” by Resident Advisor, her sets are best described as highly danceable and completely genre-defying: club, house, hip-hop, techno, global…anything with a nasty beat and embedded in Blackness can get it.
Queen Father
Queen Father is an interdisciplinary Artist, Vogue fem performer, and DJ based in Pittsburgh, PA. Thee Founding Father of the Illustrious Kiki Haus of Baby Phat, he performs in various mediums, imagining a world of Queer Liberation that centers black and brown baddies and butch queens. When Queen Father moves, his body tells a story, and the audience must tap in!
Rian-Louis
Rian-Louis is a Pittsburgh-based award-winning host, cultural curator, and creative director, dedicated to amplifying Black LGBTQ+ voices. He is the creator and host of RIANOUTLOUD! and co-host of the BUT, Mind You… Podcast, both platforms rooted in real conversation, culture, and community.
As an emcee and event curator, Rian-Louis brings energy and intention to impactful cultural spaces across Pittsburgh. He is also the co-creator of GAYZED, a new Black LGBTQ+ party series designed to celebrate, center, and create space for the community. His work is grounded in storytelling, connection, and creating experiences that uplift and inspire.