Atlanta Black Pride leader: 'Pride exists between joy and justice'

(Photo by MIE Images/ Marcus Ingram)

Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen is the founder and pastor of The Vision Church of Atlanta, one of the largest LGBTQ-affirming churches in the country with a predominantly Black congregation. He is also the executive director of The Vision Community Foundation, which provides HIV prevention training to faith leaders and free HIV testing. 

Allen wears a third hat as well: he’s co-managing partner of Atlanta Black Pride Weekend, taking place Aug. 31-Sept. 4 at locations throughout the city.

“Getting corporate spaces to support Black Pride is a part of the work of creating inclusion,” he told WABE. “A partnership is the currency of possibility. Without it, you are leaving out a key component of changing society.”