Heidi Ellis Recognition Resolution of 2025

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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

26-61

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

June 3, 2025

To recognize honoree Heidi Ellis during the 2025 celebration of DC Black Pride.

WHEREAS, Heidi Ellis is a policy strategist, public servant, and fierce advocate for
equity at the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality;

WHEREAS, Heidi Ellis is a former Obama Administration appointee at the U.S
Environmental Protection Agency;

WHEREAS, Heidi Ellis was a member of both the White House LGBTQ+ and African
American kitchen cabinets;

WHEREAS, today, Heidi Ellis leads HME Consulting and Advocacy, a D.C. based firm
advancing inclusive policies and stakeholder engagement strategies that center marginalized
communities;

WHEREAS, Heidi Ellis also leads the DC LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition and has served on
numerous nonprofit boards;

WHEREAS, Heidi Ellis has been honored with wards from the Washington Blade, Best
of Gay DC, and SMYAL;

WHEREAS, Heidi Ellis brings vision, empathy, and impact to every table she joins;

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WHEREAS, DC Black Pride is an annual event to increase awareness of and showcase
pride in the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ populations in the African American community, and to
support organizations that focus on health disparities, education, youth, and families;

WHEREAS, as the very first Black Pride festival in the world, DC Black Pride fostered
the beginning of the Center for Black Equity (formerly known as the International Federation of
Black Prides, Inc. (IFBP)) and the “Black Pride Movement”;

WHEREAS, since the birth of DC Black Pride, more than 50 other Black Pride
celebrations now take place throughout the world and on 4 continents, with many using DC
Black Pride as a model;

WHEREAS, May 23, 2025, through May 26, 2025, marks the 34th annual DC Black
Pride celebration;

WHEREAS, the theme for this year’s celebration is “BLACK PRIDE IS FREEDOM”;

WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, DC Black Pride has been an opportunity for the
Black LGBTQIA+ community to gather and celebrate being both African American and
members of LGBTQIA+ communities;

WHEREAS, DC Black Pride is the oldest and one of the largest Black Pride events in the
world, drawing thousands of residents and visitors from around the globe; and

WHEREAS, DC Black Pride brings more than 500,000 people to the nation’s capital
from across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, South Africa, Great Britain, France,
Germany, and the Netherlands and will carry that tradition this year and into the future to
celebrate their shared community, raise awareness and funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, and
stand against homophobia inspired by violence and bigotry.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That
this resolution be cited as the “Heidi Ellis Recognition Resolution of 2025”.

Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates Heidi Ellis
during the 2025 celebration of DC Black Pride.

Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.