Lonnie Bee Recognition Resolution of 2026

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1 2 _______________________________ 3 Councilmember Zachary Parker 4 5 6 7 A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 8 9 _________________________ 10 11 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 12 13 _________________________ 14 15 16 To recognize honoree Lonnie Bee during the 2026 celebration of DC Black Pride. 17 18 WHEREAS, Lonnie “Lonne Bee” Bee is a Washington, DC-born entertainer whose 19 journey began on the hard streets of Southeast DC; 20 21 WHEREAS, defying the odds, Lonnie Bee poured himself into the arts and built a 22 multifaceted career as a dancer, choreographer, writer, director, and producer; 23 24 WHEREAS, Lonnie Bee’s creative talents have led him to choreograph for major 25 recording artists, open his own dance school, Studio Boom Boxx, and independently write, 26 produce, direct, and star in multiple self-funded one-man stage tours under his independently 27 owned and operated Bee Managed Productions brand; 28 29 WHEREAS, Lonnie Bee has also appeared in film and television, with credits that 30 include Holiday Heartbreak, Dying to Be Famous, and the television series Hush; 31 32 WHEREAS, despite managing multiple creative ventures, Lonnie Bee remains deeply 33 connected to his community, hosting his popular Comedy Brunch, while continuing to write, 34 direct, and star in his acclaimed stage productions; 35 36 WHEREAS, Lonnie Bee’s signature works include Around My Way, its sequel Back 37 Around My Way, and the highly anticipated third installment, Brooks Place Apt. 202, set to 38 launch its six-city run in Chicago, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Baltimore, New York, and 39 Philadelphia; 40 41 WHEREAS, as a relentless force, self-made, and unapologetically authentic, Lonnie Bee 42 is unstoppable, and here to stay; 43 44

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WHEREAS, DC Black Pride is an annual event to increase awareness of and showcase 45 pride in the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ populations in the African American community, and to 46 support organizations that focus on health disparities, education, youth, and families; 47 48 WHEREAS, as the very first Black Pride festival in the world, DC Black Pride fostered 49 the beginning of the Center for Black Equity and the “Black Pride Movement”; 50 51 WHEREAS, since the birth of DC Black Pride, more than 50 other Black Pride 52 celebrations now take place throughout the world and on 4 continents, with many using DC 53 Black Pride as a model; 54 55 WHEREAS, May 22, 2026, through May 25, 2026, marks the 35th annual DC Black 56 Pride celebration; 57 58 WHEREAS, the theme for this year’s celebration is “New Black Renaissance,” which 59 centers Black LGBTQIA+ “artists, leaders, healers, and organizers while confronting what still 60 makes Black Pride necessary, including HIV, inequity, homophobia, and transphobia;” 61 62 WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, DC Black Pride has been an opportunity for the 63 Black LGBTQIA+ community to gather and celebrate being both African American and 64 members of LGBTQIA+ communities; 65 66 WHEREAS, DC Black Pride is the oldest and one of the largest Black Pride events in the 67 world, drawing thousands of residents and visitors from around the globe; and 68 69 WHEREAS, DC Black Pride brings more than 500,000 people to the nation’s capital 70 from across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, South Africa, Great Britain, France, 71 Germany, and the Netherlands and will carry that tradition this year and into the future to 72 celebrate their shared community, raise awareness and funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, and 73 stand against homophobia inspired by violence and bigotry. 74 75 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That 76 this resolution be cited as the “Lonnie Bee Recognition Resolution of 2026”. 77 78 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates Lonnie Bee 79 during the 2026 celebration of DC Black Pride. 80 81 Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 82