AUGUSTA PRIDE

10/13/2026

We'd like to announce our new Vice President of Augusta Pride: Elizabeth "Izzy" Black. You've probably interacted with Izzy numerous times over the years as she joined Augusta Pride in 2011 as vendor coordinator, after taking a few years off to serve on the board of Georgia Equality, she returned as vendor coordinator and is now excited to take on the role of Vice President!

We asked what she hopes for the future of Augusta Pride: " Over the years, it has been inspiring to witness Augusta Pride grow beyond the annual festival into an organization that continues to make a meaningful impact throughout our community. Through its commitment to diversity, education, increased visibility, and support for individuals living with HIV in the CSRA, Augusta Pride continues to bring people together and make a difference. I'm grateful to be part of an organization with such an important mission, and I look forward to seeing all the ways Augusta Pride will continue to grow, strengthen our community, and make an even greater impact in the years ahead. No place but up!"

10/13/2026

We'd like to announce our new president of Augusta Pride Joseph Wallace. A retired veteran, community activist, and volunteer of Augusta Pride for several years; Joe became vice president in early 2025 and is looking forward to leading us to our 17th annual festival back at the Augusta Common and a return of our parade. We asked what he hoped to achieve with his new role:

"As President of Augusta Pride, I want to continue building a home for LGBTQIA+ individuals throughout the CSRA and surrounding communities. Augusta Pride has been more than an organization to me. It has been a family, a source of strength, and a critical resource during times when I, like so many others, needed support. I know firsthand the impact that a welcoming and affirming community can have on someone’s life, and I am committed to ensuring that others have that same opportunity to find belonging, acceptance, and connection.

My vision is to build upon the foundation laid by those who came before us while expanding our reach, strengthening our partnerships, and ensuring that Augusta Pride remains a source of advocacy, celebration, and support year round. Pride is more than a festival or a moment in time. It is a commitment to one another and to creating a community where everyone can live authentically, safely, and without fear. Augusta Pride was there for me when I needed a home. As President, I want to make sure that door remains open for everyone who needs one." Best wishes Joe!

10/13/2026

After serving as president of Augusta Pride, Michael Barnard-Jenkins steps down after being the first president to serve a full five years. Michael began as a volunteer in 2014 after moving to Augusta from Tennessee, eventually taking over as vendor coordinator, festival coordinator, vice president, and soon to be entertainment coordinator. His love of the community continues onward. He was asked what he was most proud of serving as president: "For expanding our overall footprint and I’m glad to have been able to give the community a safe space and continue to grow over 5 years, and now I’m happy to extend the torch to my vice president and our amazing vendor coordinator that taught me the ropes my first year." More announcements soon but to Michael, thank you for your service!

10/11/2026

October 11th is National Coming Out Day, to encourage those that can come out to help break down stigma, fight homophobia, and give a pathway for those not able to at the moment. There is power in our community.

09/26/2026

Augusta Pride pauses in a moment of joyful remembrance for the life of Jan Rogerson. Jan was the second secretary of Augusta Pride, serving a full five year term after many years as a volunteer in our VIP tent and accounting room.

Jan was possessed of a unquenchable thirst for fairness, for justice and for mercy to anyone no matter who they were, what they were, where they came from or how they got there. As a white woman marching with Black Lives Matter, a straight woman in a gay Pride movement, a survivor invested in Al-Anon - Jan poured her life into building bridges, opening doors and throwing a lifeline to anyone she thought needed it. Augusta Pride will sorely miss her steady, reliable and always unique contribution to our community and our organization.

Perhaps most importantly, what most will remember of her efforts is her kindness. By investing her life in the welfare of many the world would happily throw away, Jan developed a deep emotional understanding of what it meant to simply be there, to check in, to follow-up and to be willing to listen without judgement and share the empathy of her own struggles. Dr. Martin Luther King once said that the most persistent and urgent question in life is "What are you doing for others?". With her entire life, Jan answered it.

Augusta Pride extends it condolences to Jan's many friends and admirers in our community and to her family at this time. Her memory will indeed be a blessing.

08/25/2026

Like millions around the world, Augusta Pride mourns the loss but celebrates the life of Dolly Rebecca Parton.

So many of us growing up in the heart of South were drawn not just to her timeless music, but the joy and integrity she projected in every aspect of her life. When AIDS ravaged the nation, Dolly dared to say the word gay in song and appear on the cover of OUT magazine, letting us know we were seen by someone who thought each of us was worth loving. When the nation debated the rights of the LGBT community, Dolly's response was impossibly simple: Accept everybody. Let them be whatever they are and love them that way. While so many use their wealth to empower themselves,, Dolly channeled her monetary success into getting children to read, into safeguarding her beloved Smoky Mountain community and in one of the nations darkest hours, investing in the development of a treatment for COVID. If there are angels walking among us, she was almost certainly one of them.

Many will comment that the world seems as though a light has gone out of it. Dolly would not have believed that but rather would hope that the light she spread continues on in all of us. We owe it to her that her message of unquestioning love, unqualified acceptance and irrepressible joy lives on in the lives of everyone touched by her example.

Godspeed to a richly deserved reward, Dolly. We will always love you!

07/28/2026

Let's talk PRIDE!!!🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈
📣📣Join us August 5th at 5:30 PM located at Westabou 1129 Broad St Augusta, 30901

Want to join the Augusta Pride team?
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See you there

07/25/2026

Thank you to 2025's co-Mx. Augusta Pride Jonlly R St Martin and Jen El for hosting their Friday night fundraiser at Joe's Underground and raising over $400 to Augusta Pride! It's very much appreciated!

07/05/2026

We hope you're staying cool and if not, staying hydrated and using plenty of sunscreen this summer. Here's a few photos from Beats Off of Broad courtesy McSherry Studio from what was a great night from a great weekend. Moving to the Fairgrounds this year was unexpected but we're thankful to those that attended. Support our sponsors, support other festivals that are at the fairgrounds, support each other and support downtown! Happy Pride!

06/29/2026

Thanks for returning again! We hope to see you next year too!

We had a wonderful time opening the 16th AUGUSTA PRIDE Festival today! With all the downtown construction, the parade did not take place. That gave us a chance to play a full set of music along with multiple equipment changes from the Color Guard. We always look forward to a bringing Pride and Joy to Georgia’s Garden City!