Welcome to "Rising Higher" Newark-Essex Pride Week Our organization's mission, and we choose to accept it, is to examine, exhibit and advance the socio-cultural environment of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Inter-sex and Questioning community. This year's theme is Rising Higher, is a celebration Greater Newark's LGBT community's continued growth and progression, a reminder of how far we've come and a challenge for all of us to continue the work that we do. Our team of full-time volunteers has worked to produce a week of events ranging from dance parties to social justice discussions but we did not do it alone. This year our organization has collaborated with many of Greater-Newark's leading non-profit organizations, business and individuals to bring you events such as the Safe Spaces Conference present by the Newark Pride Alliance, the gay pride flag raising ceremony, a collaborative effort with Newark's Commission on LGBTQ Affairs and the Shadefest Ball present by NJCRI's Project WOW youth center. It's through contributions from these organizations and our sponsors that we're able to continue our work. To them, we extend a special thank you. I encourage you to attend as many of the events as possible and to share your experience in real-time by joining our Facebook group! As Pride Week continues to grow we need your help. Please consider joining our volunteer Board of Directors, becoming part of the Pride Week planning committee or making a donation today. Thank you for your support and participation. Happy Pride! In solidarity, Yolanda Hamilton Chairwoman of the Board