About Us

History

TriPride was formed in October 2017, but has been brewing for quite a while longer. The consensus was that the time was right for the Tri-Cities, Tennessee to host their own Pride event. Leveraging the LGBTQ social network, a few folks got together and came up with a plan of action.

Basing our organization heavily off of Knoxville Pride’s example, we developed our charter and applied for our non-profit status. TriPride’s leadership is a diverse group of folks from the Tri-Cities that share a common vision — a great Pride event in the Tri-Cities. Learn more about TriPride’s board below.

TriPrideTN, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charity formed in 2017 whose purpose is to organize and present a free community Pride parade and festival. The parade and festival event is the primary tool the organization uses to further its mission: building a stronger and more inclusive community across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. In September 2018, TriPride held the Pride parade and festival — the first of its kind in the Tri-Cities — hosted in Founders Park, Johnson City, Tennessee. Over 10,000 people gathered for the festivities. The parade featured the largest contingency in Johnson City’s history. In 2019, TriPride was held in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee. An estimated 10,000 came to the event throughout the day. Over 1,100 people marched in the parade representing 72 contingencies and 110 festival exhibitors were present. Organizers and volunteers are currently planning the next TriPride Parade and Festival.

We are partnering with local businesses and chambers of commerce to build a lasting organization so the Tri-Cities can have a great Pride every year! Learn how to get involved here.

  • 2017

    TriPride Formed

  • 2018

    First TriPride Festival

    10,000+ attendees in Johnson City, TN

    2018

  • 2019

    Second TriPride Festival

    10,000+ attendees in Kingsport, TN

  • 2022

    Third TriPride Festival

    13,000+ attendees in Bristol, TN & Bristol, VA

    2022

  • 2023

    Fourth TriPride Festival

    14,000+ attendees in Johnson City, TN

Executive Council

Justin Hall

Justin Hall

President (he/him)

president@tripridetn.org

Jacob Besseck

Jacob Besseck

Vice President (he/she/they)

vicepresident@tripridetn.org

Terry Marek

Terry Marek

Treasurer (he/him)

treasurer@tripridetn.org

Sarah Rovere

Sarah Rovere

Secretary (she/her)

secretary@tripridetn.org

Autumn Baggett-Griggs

Autumn Baggett-Griggs

Marketing Director (she/her/hers)

marketing@tripridetn.org

Fellow Board Members

Khalid El-Shabazz

Khalid El-Shabazz

(he/she/they)

entertainment@tripridetn.org

Lori Suttles

Lori Suttles

(she/her)

kidzone@tripridetn.org

Carrie Holt

Carrie Holt

(she/her)

volunteers@tripridetn.org

Kate Tilley

Kate Tilley

Communications Resources