The first Pride event that celebrates Black LGBTQ communities, Global Black Pride, debuted in the United States this week. The festival started Tuesday and will end Monday in Atlanta, boasting an array of diverse programming and is headlined by “Pose” actor and singer Billy Porter.

Nigerian singers Omawumi and Yemi Alade will also perform on Saturday. In a statement to NBC News, the organization’s founder Michael Ighodaro, explained how the main goal of the festivities is to underscore inclusion.

“The goal of Global Black Pride is to create a powerful platform that amplifies the voices, experiences, and needs of Black LGBTQ+ communities worldwide,” Ighodara said.

Global Black Pride will feature workshops, a health conference, art exhibits, a Global Black Trans Rally, and the Global Black Pride Freedom March.

“We aim to foster unity, celebrate our diverse cultures, and advocate for the human rights and health of Black LGBTQ+ individuals across the globe,” Ighodara said. “We want to send a clear message that Black LGBTQ+ lives matter and that our existence and rights are non-negotiable.”

Global Black Pride started in 2020 during the pandemic. The organization held a 12-hour worldwide virtual party and “joyful riot against existing power structures that continue to dismiss the importance of Black lives,” according to TimeOut.

It held its first in-person Pride event in Toronto back in 2022, with the celebration now occurring every two years. Last year, conservative state lawmakers introduced more than 510 bills that attacked the rights of LGBTQ people according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Ighodaro stated that Global Black Pride will continue to fight for the rights of the marginalized and vulnerable population no matter the cost.

“Global Black Pride seeks to counter these negative narratives by showcasing the resilience, strength, and solidarity of our community.”