Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside Join Unleashed LGBTQ Live Event - September 2023
Joining a Powerful Lineup of Talent, including Antoni Porowski, Indya Moore, Shangela, and other Industry Leaders making Noise in the LGBTQ+ Market
DALLAS — APRIL 25, 2023 — Unleashed LGBTQ, a first-of-its-kind conference and entertainment festival creating a space for brands, artists, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, is thrilled to announce new talent joining its lineup, including Billy Eichner and Dyllón Burnside, for its first live and in-person Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 conference, taking place at Gilley’s in Dallas, Texas, from September 22 - 24, 2023. Unleashed event organizers also welcome iHeartMedia back as media partners to activate the programming as the official audio partners for the festival’s first ever in-person event.
"Our first live, in-person, event is going to create a synergy between talent, the business community and the entertainment industry in a way no LGBTQ+ event has ever done before,” said Founder, Wesley Smoot. “Companies sending representatives to our event will be able to take advantage of all opportunities available, whether it’s for educational purposes, networking or entertainment, LGBTQ+ professionals or others focused on allyship, will reap the benefits of our educational and entertainment-based lineup. We have dedicated an entire area to workshops for attendees to learn new skills from today's thought leaders and we’re confident companies sending entire departments to Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 will have a more informed, supercharged team that will be lightyears ahead of other brands.”
Each day at Unleashed LGBTQ will begin with educational topics — from workshops and panels discussing business (advertising, marketing, DEI), society (non-profit, advocacy), and personal (financial planning, continuing education) development – and will feature high-tech brand activations and experiential marketing installments throughout the venue, before transitioning to entertainment that will include screenings, drag shows, stand-up comedy, and musical performances. Attendees will be enriched by professional development and networking opportunities through the Unleashed LGBTQ event app (developed by WebEx/Cisco) and at specialized mixers and unique branded activations through the award-winning Freeman event services.
The growing lineup of talent will include:
● Billy Eichner Co-writer and Star of Bros (Universal Pictures), Billy on the Street, The Lion King (Disney), American Horror Story (FX), Difficult People (Hulu)
● Antoni Porowski Emmy-Award Winning Show Queer Eye (Netflix), Host of Easy Bake Battle (Netflix), Author of Antoni in the Kitchen & Antoni: Let's do Dinner
● Indya Moore Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
● Shangela Emmy Award-Winning Shows We're Here (HBO), RuPaul's Drag Race, & RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (MTV)
● Dyllon Burnside Emmy Award-Winning Show Pose,Emmy Award-Winning Show POSE, Emmy-Award winning PBS docuseries PRIDELAND, Golden Globe nominated limited series MONSTER. GLAAD & HRC award recipient
● Daniel Franzese, Mean Girls (Paramount Pictures), Ru Paul's Drag Race (MTV), Looking (HBO)
● Kelly Ann Winget, Founder & CEO of Alternative Wealth Partners, Over $1B in private equity raised, Host of The Wealth Alpha podcast, and Author of Pitch the Bitch (April 2023)
● Brian Sims, Former Penn State Rep., LGBTQ+ Advocate & Speaker, Managing Director of Government Affairs & Policy at Out Leadership, Board Member at Campus Pride & GLSEN
● Naomi Green, MBA Speaker, Marketer, Professor, and Transgender Advocate
● Ashley Brundage, President & CEO of Empowering Differences, Author of Empowering Differences, Transgender Advocate, Former DEI Vice President at PNC Bank, Mother
● Dr. Carlton Thomas, Gastro-Intestinal Medical Doctor, Social Media Sensation, Contributor to Men's Health Magazine, LGBTQ+ Consultant to the White House & the CDC
● Matt Skallerud, Founder & President of Pink Media, Host of #iLoveGayToday, former President of IGLTA, Award-Winning Online Marketer connecting businesses to the LGBTQ+ consumers
● Vicky & Charisse Pasche, Co-Founders of Dapper Boi – body-inclusive and gender-neutral apparel – Marketing, Sales, and Entrepreneurial Experts, Wives and Mothers of Twins
● Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality, Co-Founder of The Changists (Law Firm Consulting), LGBTQ+ Activist, Speaker, Mother of Two
● Gary Sanchez Sr., Director of Community Impact at Visit Dallas, Former Chairman at North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Chairman at Chamber Foundation
● Brad Pritchett, Award-Winning Marketing Executive, Chief Experience Officer at DMA (Dallas Museum of Art), Host of The Good, The Brad, & The Ugly podcast
Unleashed LGBTQ is also partnering with the iconic Alamo Drafthouse to host screenings of new LGBTQ+ content from streaming services, movie studios, and television networks. Independent filmmakers can submit works for Unleashed LGBTQ 2023 Film Festival at:
https://www.filmfreeway.com/unleashedlgbtq
Unleashed LGBTQ, LLC is proud to have received support, endorsements, and/or grants from the following organizations: DTPID (Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District), Visit Dallas, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NLGCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), & IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association).
Other partners include Gilead Sciences, iHeart Media, equalpride, and Kelly Ann Winget.
About UNLEASHED LGBTQ, LLC
Unleashed LGBTQ, a space for brands, entertainers, and LGBTQ+ professionals to connect, will host its inaugural, live event September 22nd - 24th, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees can learn about the latest products, services, and campaigns debuting in the LGBTQ+ market in a fun and interactive environment. Unleashed LGBTQ provides premier networking opportunities for professionals in a variety of industries. Unleashed LGBTQ will host speakers, panels, and performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ culture, including film, television, music, and business. Stay tuned for additional Talent announcements.
Tickets are currently on sale on the event website here: https://www.unleashedlgbtq.com For more information on partnerships and company group rates visit: www.unleashedlgbtq.com
CONTACT:
Nicole Rodrigues
NRPR Group for Unleashed LGBTQ
Nicole@nrprgroup.com
424-421-9610
To request press credentials email:
press@unleashedlgbtq.com
Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce Stand Against Discrimination to Remind Texas Lawmakers that “Business is Business”
Washington, D.C. — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the national business voice of the LGBTQ community, stands with the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce as they fight to recognize LGBTQ-owned businesses in Texas contracting and procurement opportunities, most recently during “Business is Business” Day at the Texas Capitol. Members of the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce stood in the face of discrimination during the event as planned resolutions recognizing the Texas LGBTQ+ business community were denied.
“We are very proud of our affiliates that comprise the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, a coalition of the Austin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, for standing up for what is right for thousands of Texas LGBTQ-owned businesses that are a vital part of the Texas economy,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson.
The NGLCC affiliates that make up the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce advocate for Texas legislators to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplaces statewide and to oppose discrimination in all forms against the LGBTQ+ community. The coalition gathered at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 to support passage of House Resolution 155 and Senate Resolution 163 as an acknowledgment of the contributions of LGBTQ+ business owners to the economy alongside other state business coalitions on the floor. Ultimately, certain legislators stated they intended on opposing both resolutions, and as a result, the resolutions were pulled altogether, with formal recognition only being granted to non-LGBTQ business coalitions in attendance.
Alongside the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, we call on Texas legislators to remember that their economy succeeds only when there is a fully engaged and protected citizenry, workforce, and supply chain free from fear, bias, and discrimination. We applaud Representative Jessica González, Vice Chair of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, for standing up for the rights of LGBTQ+ Texans by filing House Bill 2182, which seeks to add LGBTQIA+ owned businesses to the Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program.
Over half of all American states have opted to include LGBTQ-owned businesses in contracting & procurement opportunities, with major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, and Nashville also signing on to recognize LGBTQ+ companies as diverse suppliers. Nearly 450 major Fortune 100 and 500 NGLCC Corporate Partners agree that discrimination is bad for business, and that including Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers is an essential step towards internal and external diversity, equity, & inclusion.
“Inclusive policies build stronger economies, especially since LGBTQ-owned businesses nationwide contribute over $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy,” said Nelson. “NGLCC condemns the failure of the Texas House and Senate to recognize the Texas LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce at “Business is Business” Day, and urges Texas lawmakers to pass HB2182 to further their commitment to building a prosperous state economy.”
DALLAS' OWN NEZI MOMODU ANNOUNCES ‘THE POUND’ PROJECT DETAILS
Nezi Momodu stands out from the pack with her late 80's / 90's-infused melodies, hardcore messages and unique wordplay – earning her the title of “Wordplay Queen” and praise from the likes of icons like Missy Elliott and Snoop Dogg. She is also featured on “Introducing Nezi (ft. Nezi Momodu)” from Logic’s new album Vinyl Days, with Pitchfork noting, “Nezi Momodu’s verse is excellent.” She will also join Logic live on August 7th at the Dallas, TX stop of his Vinyl Verse Tour, the same week that the Nigeria-born, Dallas-based musician, visual artist and writer drops her upcoming EP, The Pound – due August 5th via Repost, SoundCloud’s artist services division.
The Pound gets its title from the white hot music scene in Dallas right now with an overflow of incredibly talented musicians – and how every artist is waiting for the big break to come, hoping to get plucked from “the pound” for the big league. The EP will feature 10 tracks including previous singles “N.E.Z.” – a track whose video is a take on classic hip hop videos from the likes of Missy Elliott and Lil Kim, and is dedicated “In honor of the women who never stopped reminding girls like me that talent was enough”; and “The Pound” featuring fellow Nigerian rapper D-Truce.
Nezi also recently shared her latest single “On Gawd,” produced by Paven Melody, and returns with a video for the track – an homage to her hometown of Dallas, TX. “This video is a love letter to Dallas jigging culture,” notes Nezi. “Taking you back to late-2000s Dallas dance culture, we hit local spots and show the world how much life we breathe into our community. Hip hop is alive and thriving here and it’s time that everyone sees exactly what we are made of.” Watch the “On Gawd” official video here:
Well known in the underground hip hop and art community in Dallas, Nezi stands out in the local MC cyphers and as a respected visual artist focusing heavily on acrylic works relating to black youth and pop culture. Her technique with various colors blended together with thick graphic lines is just one of the reasons why she is considered a new age pop artist. She dove heavily into studying flows, poetry and literature after the passing of her father, which would later on define her style of music.
Nezi was also recently named to SoundCloud’s “First on SoundCloud” Class of 2022 where she will work directly with SoundCloud over the next year to co-produce tangible, career-defining moments to deepen artist-to-fan connections, creating unique opportunities to reach new audiences. The artists chosen for this special honor are ones championed by fans on SoundCloud and hand-selected by SoundCloud’s music team. With almost 300k followers and 2.8 million likes, Nezi also has a rapidly growing presence on TikTok.
NEZI MOMODU - ‘THE POUND’ TRACK LISTING
1. I'm a Dog (Intro)
2. N.E.Z.
3. Menage
4. IYUM
5. Ante Up
6. OPP
7. The Pound ft. D-Truce
8. On Gawd
9. The Pack
10. I'm On (Outro)
