Local

Alston Foundation receives IRS tax-exempt status

Also names new executive director

Published

11 years ago

July 9, 2014

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

Chris Dyer (Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Wanda Alston Foundation, the D.C.-based nonprofit organization that provides housing and other services to homeless LGBT youth, received formal approval last month from the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization, the organization announced on Tuesday.

The action by the IRS, known as a 501 (c) (3) designation, ensures that individuals or businesses that contribute money to the foundation can write off the contributions as a tax deduction. That designation “expands opportunities for support from a variety of organizations,” said Christopher Dyer, president of the Alston Foundation board.

The Alston Foundation, among other things, administers the Wanda Alston House, which opened in 2008 as the only housing program in D.C. dedicated solely to offering “pre-independent, transitional living to homeless or at-risk LGBTQ youth ages 16 to 24 in all eight wards,” Dyer said in a statement.

Dyer also announced that Kenneth Pettigrew, who had been serving as the Alston Foundation’s interim executive director and director of programs, has been formally named by the board as executive director.

“This is an exciting time of growth for the organization and we are very pleased that Ken will serve as the executive director of the foundation,” Dyer said. “Ken has a demonstrated track record of administering programs and working on behalf of the LGBT community and the organization has continued its growth as a result of his expertise.”

Dyer said the foundation’s current annual budget is $350,000. He said $310,000 comes from city grants, with the remaining funds coming from private donations. The foundation, including the Alston House, currently has three full-time and six part-time employees.

According to Dyer, the Alston House currently has six residents, with another two expected to move in shortly.

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Photos

PHOTOS: WorldPride Street Festival and Closing Concert

Doechii, Khalid among performers

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Michael Key

Doechii performs at the WorldPride Closing Concert on Sunday, June 8. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

WorldPride 2025 concluded with the WorldPride Street Festival and Closing Concert held along Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. on Sunday, June 8. Performers on the main stage included Doechii, Khalid, Courtney Act, Parker Matthews, 2AM Ricky, Suzie Toot, MkX and Brooke Eden.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Baltimore

Baltimore Trans Pride to take place Saturday

Baltimore Safe Haven hosts annual event

Published

5 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Daniela White

Baltimore Trans Pride in 2022. Baltimore Safe Haven's annual event will take place on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Linus Berggren)

Celebrating the transgender community, Baltimore Safe Haven, an organization committed to empowering LGBTQ individuals in Baltimore City, plans to host their fourth annual Baltimore Trans Pride on Saturday.

Instead of the usual parade and march, this year’s Trans Pride will be a block party on Charles Street and between 21st and 22nd Streets. The event will start at 1 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and last until 10 p.m.

Community members can go on guided tours, enjoy refreshments by local vendors, listen to presenters, and watch performances by special guests.

Sukihana, the event’s headliner, plans to take to the stage to entertain the crowd, along with a variety of local performers, according to Melissa Deveraux, Baltimore Safe Haven’s executive assistant to Executive Director Iya Dammons.

“Some (are) prominently known, some (are) just making a name for themselves,” Deveraux said. Iya is always making sure that community talent is showcased at all of our functions.”

In company with Pride on Saturday, Baltimore Safe Haven will be opening its new building on Friday from 1-4 p.m.

“That is sort of going to be the prelude to pride,” Lau said. “Thanks to Sen. Mary Washington and the Weinberg Foundation, we were able to purchase the building outright, and it’s going to be a community hub of administrative buildings and 12-bedroom apartments.”

Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said the planning process for Baltimore Trans Pride began in January, and putting it all together was a collaboration of multiple city agencies and organizations.

“Safe Haven is an LGBT community organization, but we service the entire community, and that’s the message we try to spread,” Lau said. “We’re not just here for the LGBT community. We’re here to spread goodwill and offer harm reduction and housing to the entire community.”

Lau said the organization’s biggest goal for the event is to gain exposure.

“(We want) to let and let people know who we are and what our community is about,” she said. “Right now, because of what’s happening in DC, there’s a lot of bad untruths going on, and the total thing is bringing out the truth.”

Deveraux said having a place of inclusivity, acceptance, and togetherness is important in today’s political climate and the current administration.

“This event will have people seeing the strength and resilience of the transgender community, showing that no matter what we are going through, we still show up,” Deveraux said. “We are here, we will not be erased.”