BELL COUNTY PRIDE IS ALMOST HERE—HELP US FINISH STRONG!
On October 10, Bell County will make history with the Inaugural Bell County Pride Festival in Honor of TK Bryant.
Bell County Inclusion Council, Inc. was established just this June, and in only a few months, tremendous community support has helped transform an idea into a full-scale festival.
Donations have already helped cover event insurance, banners, decorations, electrical needs, safety supplies, equipment, and other essential expenses. We are now working to secure the final resources needed for October 10.
Every contribution—regardless of size—helps us purchase needed supplies, secure equipment, and cover the remaining expenses necessary to produce a safe, organized, and successful inaugural festival.
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You do not have to make a large donation to have an impact. One item purchased. A $5, $10, or $20 contribution. Equipment loaned for a day. Each act of support moves us closer to being fully prepared for October 10.
If you are able to contribute today, we respectfully ask you to do so. If you cannot contribute financially, sharing this post with someone who may be able to help is another meaningful way to support this effort.
VOLUNTEERS • SECURITY • VENDORS
We are also still seeking volunteers, event security personnel, and vendors. Application forms are available through the Bell County Inclusion Council website.
TENTATIVE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
12:00 PM — Opening Ceremonies at Middlesboro City Hall
12:20 PM — Pride Walk
1:00 PM — Guest Speakers
1:20 PM — Moonshine Jasmine
1:50 PM — Moonlite Mile
2:20 PM — Asher Ryan
2:45 PM — Drag Performances
3:40 PM — Pride Dance Party
4:15 PM — Karaoke Contest
5:35 PM — Raffle Drawings
5:50 PM — Marriage Ceremony, if needed
6:10 PM — Closing Ceremony & Recognition of TK Bryant
6:45 PM — Festival Concludes
All times and programming are tentative and subject to change.
Bell County Inclusion Council, Inc. is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Qualifying charitable contributions may be tax-deductible as permitted by applicable law, and BCIC can provide appropriate donation acknowledgment upon request.
This is bigger than one festival.
We are setting a precedent for generations to come. Bell County’s inaugural Pride Festival is intended to be the first of many, establishing something future generations can continue, strengthen, and make their own.
Most importantly, thank you.
To every person who has donated, purchased supplies, volunteered, registered as a vendor, offered equipment, provided professional services, shared our information, encouraged us, or simply told us that what we are doing matters: we are profoundly grateful.
When Bell County Inclusion Council was established in June, we started from the ground up. Everything accomplished since then has been possible because people throughout this community chose to step forward and help.
We do not take a single donation, volunteer, business supporter, community partner, contribution, message of encouragement, or act of kindness for granted.
When we gather on October 10, this festival will not belong to one person or even one organization. It will belong to everyone who helped make it possible.
From the Bell County Inclusion Council, thank you for believing in this organization, thank you for investing in our community, and thank you for helping us make history.
What we build together on October 10 is only the beginning.
VENDOR, FOOD TRUCK, VOLUNTEER AND PERFORMER APPLICATION FOR OCTOBER 10TH PRIDE
History Will Be Made in Bell County as First-Ever Pride Festival to Middlesboro
MIDDLESBORO, Ky. — History will be made in Bell County on Saturday, October 10, when the community comes together for the inaugural Bell County Pride Festival, a celebration of equality, love, inclusion, community and the life of beloved Bell County resident TK Bryant.
Sanctioned by the Bell County Inclusion Council, the first-ever Bell County Pride Festival will bring together LGBTQ+ residents, families, friends, allies, neighbors and visitors for a day filled with music, entertainment, food, activities and celebration.
The festival is being held in honor of TK Bryant, a lifelong Bell County resident and the son of Samantha Blondell Smith. Bryant was in his final semester at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law when he suddenly passed away.
The historic day will begin at 12 p.m. at the Middlesboro City Hall parking lot on 20th Street, where opening ceremonies will feature speakers, giveaways and other activities.
Following the opening ceremony, attendees will gather for a Pride March, parade and community walk from City Hall to the festival grounds at Old Lincoln High School Park on Ashbury Avenue.
The march will give participants an opportunity to walk together through Middlesboro before arriving at the festival and beginning an afternoon of celebration.
The location itself makes the occasion particularly meaningful.
The grounds were once home to Lincoln High School, a segregated school that served African American students in Middlesboro. Generations of Black students attended the school during an era when racial segregation was part of everyday life.
Today, those same grounds will become a place where people from across the community gather together.
For organizers, that transformation carries an important message: a location once shaped by segregation can become a gathering place centered on equality and inclusion.
The Pride festival is not an attempt to erase the history of the property. Instead, organizers say that history serves as a reminder that communities can change — and that the work of creating a more inclusive community continues.
There will be plenty happening throughout the festival.
Attendees will enjoy three live bands, drag performances, karaoke, contests, stand-up comedy, games and activities, vendors, food trucks, drink trucks and more.
The goal is to create a day where people can come together, have fun and get to know one another.
You don’t have to be LGBTQ+ to attend Pride.
Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring your neighbors. Or come on your own and make new friends.
Everyone is invited.
Safety and privacy come first
Organizers also want to make two things exceptionally clear: safety and privacy are top priorities.
Multiple trained security guards will be present throughout the event, and the Middlesboro Police Department will also be there.
Organizers are also taking additional steps to protect the privacy of those attending. Physical barriers and other measures will be used around portions of the festival grounds to reduce visibility into the event from outside the venue. The purpose is to give attendees a greater sense of privacy and allow them to enjoy the festival without unnecessary concern about people outside the event watching or photographing them.
Organizers recognize that some members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families may have concerns about being publicly identified as attending Pride. While no outdoor public event can guarantee complete privacy, organizers are making a serious effort to limit outside visibility and create an environment where people can feel comfortable, welcome and safe.
Those measures come as a small number of individuals have directed hateful rhetoric and opposition toward the LGBTQ+ community. Organizers say fear should not control people’s lives or decisions.
This festival is about continuing the fight for equality and standing together against the idea that LGBTQ+ people should be treated as second-class citizens. It is an opportunity for the community to come together, support one another and celebrate with pride, love and inclusion.
“There have been a select few folks who have tried their best to keep people away from this event and to stop this event from happening,” said Justin Howard, president of the Bell County Inclusion Council. “We must continue to fight for equality. Please do not let the hate win. Show up, have a great time with your friends, family, neighbors, new friends and everyone else who comes out to celebrate.”
Howard encouraged people to make the day about what the festival is intended to represent.
“Come celebrate equality, Pride, love, inclusion and TK Bryant,” Howard said.
St. Mary’s will join the celebration
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Middlesboro will participate in the opening ceremonies and provide a blessing over the event.
The church is a welcoming and affirming congregation that has publicly expressed its commitment to welcoming people regardless of where they are on their journey and to building loving, liberating and life-giving relationships.
Honoring TK and making history
While the festival will be filled with music, laughter and celebration, it will also provide an opportunity to remember Bryant and the future he was working toward when his life was unexpectedly cut short.
Bryant was in his final semester at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and was pursuing his dream of becoming an attorney. He was a lifelong resident of Bell County and the son of Samantha Blondell Smith.
Holding the first Bell County Pride Festival in his honor will connect his memory with a day dedicated to community, equality and inclusion.
There will only ever be one first Bell County Pride Festival.
On October 10, people will walk together from City Hall to the former Lincoln High School grounds, turning a location marked by a history of segregation into a gathering place for the entire community.
Still accepting vendors, volunteers and food and drink trucks
Organizers are still welcoming members of the community who would like to be part of making the inaugural festival a success.
Vendor spaces are still available, and organizers are also accepting volunteers as well as food trucks and drink trucks interested in participating in the festival.
Those interested in becoming a vendor, volunteering, or bringing a food or drink truck to the event can email Justin@bellcountyic.com for more information and participation details.
The Bell County Inclusion Council and The Source News invite everyone to be part of this historic moment.
Don’t let a small number of hateful voices or fear dictate your life. Come celebrate with your family, friends, neighbors and new friends. Enjoy the music, performances, food and festivities — and stand together for equality, Pride, love, inclusion and the life of TK Bryant.
Come as you are. Come together. Help make history in Bell County.
More information about the inaugural Bell County Pride Festival and upcoming announcements can be found on our Facebook page and website.
Wear Inclusion. Inspire Change. Strengthen Bell County.
Show your support for a stronger, more welcoming community with the official Bell County Inclusion Council Fundraising T-Shirt. Every shirt purchased helps fund BCIC’s community outreach, educational initiatives, volunteer projects, and family-friendly events that bring people together across Bell County.
Designed for comfort and made to make a statement, these high-quality black T-shirts feature the official Bell County Inclusion Council logo on the front and a vibrant full-color design on the back that proudly represents unity, kindness, and inclusion.
Product Details
- Price: $20.00
- Color: Black only
- Sizes: Small through 3XL
- Unisex fit
- Delivery: 7–10 business days after your order is placed
- Pay via CashApp or in person
Every shirt makes a difference.
When you purchase a Bell County Inclusion Council T-shirt, you are doing more than buying apparel—you are investing in your community.
Your purchase helps BCIC organize community events, educational programs, volunteer initiatives, and outreach efforts that promote kindness, inclusion, respect, and civic engagement throughout Bell County.
Whether you wear it at local events, around town, or simply to show your support, your shirt becomes a visible reminder that our community is strongest when everyone belongs.
Thank you for supporting the Bell County Inclusion Council. Together, we’re building a community where everyone belongs.
Our commitment to Bell County
The Bell County Inclusion Council is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and equitable community for all. We stand as advocates for the LGBTQ community and every underrepresented voice in Bell County, Kentucky. Our mission is to ensure that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
We are a newly established nonprofit organization working tirelessly to create positive change. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, we strive to empower individuals and promote understanding. Discover how you can be a part of this vital movement.
Why the Bell County Inclusion Council is vital to our community
The Bell County Inclusion Council is vital to our community because every community is stronger when every person knows they belong.
Bell County is home to people from many different backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life. Some residents are veterans, some are living with disabilities, some are members of the LGBTQ+ community, some are racial or ethnic minorities, and many families face challenges such as mental health struggles, addiction, poverty, or social isolation. Despite these differences, we all share one thing in common—we are neighbors.
Our Council exists to bring people together, not divide them. We believe that compassion is not a weakness but a strength, and that investing in people creates stronger families, safer neighborhoods, and a healthier community for everyone.
Through advocacy, education, volunteer service, public outreach, and partnerships with local organizations, we work to connect residents with resources, encourage understanding, and promote opportunities for every individual to contribute to the community. We volunteer at local events, support charitable initiatives, maintain resource guides, and strive to be a positive presence throughout Bell County.
The Bell County Inclusion Council is not about asking people to agree on every issue. It is about recognizing the inherent worth of every member of our community and encouraging respect, kindness, and civic engagement. We believe our differences should never prevent us from working together to improve the place we all call home.
When one neighbor succeeds, Bell County succeeds. When one family finds hope, our community grows stronger. When people choose compassion over division, everyone benefits.
That is why the Bell County Inclusion Council is vital to our community. We are committed to building bridges, serving others, and helping create a Bell County where every person has the opportunity to be heard, respected, and valued.
BCIC HISTORY
The Bell County Inclusion Council was founded in June 2026 by Justin Howard and a group of dedicated community members who shared a common vision: to build a stronger, more connected Bell County where every person is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Notably, Mellisa Johnson and L.J. Rose
Recognizing the need for an organization focused on inclusion, advocacy, education, and community engagement, the Council was established to serve as a positive force for collaboration and service throughout Bell County, Kentucky. From the beginning, our goal has been to bring people together through volunteerism, civic involvement, public education, and partnerships with local organizations while helping connect residents with trusted community resources.
Our Board of Directors and membership reflect the very values we promote. The Council is made up of members of the LGBTQ+ community, heterosexual allies, and individuals from diverse backgrounds who are united by a shared commitment to serving our neighbors and strengthening our community. We believe meaningful progress is achieved when people work together with mutual respect, regardless of their personal backgrounds or experiences.
Although we are a young organization, we have already begun participating in community events, developing educational initiatives, creating local resource guides, and building relationships with residents, businesses, faith communities, and other organizations across Bell County. Every step we take is guided by our belief that service, understanding, and cooperation can make a lasting difference.
As we continue to grow, the Bell County Inclusion Council remains committed to expanding volunteer opportunities, advocating for underrepresented communities, promoting mental health awareness, supporting community initiatives, and creating programs that benefit all residents of Bell County.
Our history is just beginning, and we look forward to building a future where every person has the opportunity to belong, contribute, and thrive.