2024 Pride Awards and Parade Grand Marshals
Each year Nashville Pride celebrates those in the community that are integral in helping bring together the annual celebration. You can see past award recipients at the bottom of this page.
Mark Middleton/Bianca Paige Pride Volunteer Award, given to a Nashville Pride volunteer who embodies Mark Middleton’s passion for and commitment to the LGBTQI+ community and Nashville’s annual Pride Festival.
The Mark Manasco Community Service Award, given to a member of the LGBTQI+ community who demonstrates Manasco’s devotion to community service and LGBTQI+ organizations.
Nashville Pride Trailblazer Award, given to individuals whose pioneering work and social justice activism helped pave the way for the vibrant LGBTQI+ community that is celebrated at Pride, as well as around the world.
Nashville Pride Parade Grand Marshal, given to groups or individuals doing outstanding work to support the LGTBQI+ community in middle Tennessee.
Awards
Each year Nashville Pride recognizes people, businesses, and community groups making a difference.
Award winners will be a part of the Pride Parade and be recognized from the festival Main Stage.
Past Award Winners
2021
Grand Marshal: Maxine Spencer
Ally Award: Jevonte Dantzler
Mark Manasco Community Service:
Philanthropic Business Award:
2019
Grand Marshal: Students of Stonewall
Honorary Grand Marshal: Ty Herndon
Honorary Grand Marshal: Kathy Holbrooks
Honorary Grand Marshal: Joseph Interrante
Honorary Grand Marshal: Mac Huffington
Honorary Grand Marshal: Dwayne Jenkins
Ally Award: CAM
Mark Manasco Community Service: Chris Ott
Philanthropic Business Award: Out and About Nashville
2018
Ally Award: Margaret Ellis
Mark Manasco Community Service: Kesley Page/Out Central & T.K. Hampton/You Shall LHiV
Bianca Paige Pride Volunteer: Joseph Woodson
Philanthropic Business Award: Performance Studios and Slim & Husky's
Trailblazer Awards: Greg Howard and Chely Wright
2017
Ally Award: Kathy Halbroooks and Maneet Chauhuan
Rising Star: Shawn Reilly
Mark Manasco Community Service: Linda Welch
Bianca Paige Pride Volunteer: Joey Leslie and Vickie Davis
Philanthropic Business Award: Ron Sanford Productions
Trailblazer Awards: Lavender Country
2016
Ally Award: Rep. John Ray Clemons, Senator Jeff Yarbo
Rising Star: Brandon Anderson
Mark Manasco Community Service: Justin Sweatman-Weaver, Marisa J. Richmond
Bianca Paige Pride Volunteer: Lisa Howe and the Oasis Center
Philanthropic Business Award: Bacon & Caviar
2015
Ally Award: Pastor Stan Mitchell of Gracepointe Church and Mayor Karl Dean
Rising Star: Shaun Arroyo and Derrick Lachney
Mark Manasco Community Service: Jim Schmidt / Joe Woolley, and Greg Cason
Bianca Paige Pride Volunteer: Allan Gonce and Covenant of the Cross Church
Philanthropic Business Award: Erica & Chris Rain of The Chef & I. and Phil Cobucci and the team at BAM! Social Business
2014
Ally Award: Nashville Metro Council and Vice Mayor, Diane Neighbors
Rising Star: Joseph Brownell, Garrard Wesson, Bobby Thompson
Mark Manasco Community Service: Dwayne Jenkins
Bianca Paige Pride Volunteer: Randall Roop
Philanthropic Business Award: Jack Davis, Good Neighbor Festivals - and Jenn Garrett, Solve Solutions
2013
Ally Award: Nashville CVB
Rising Star: Kerrie Turney, Jessi Coggins, Jen Cowherd, Amanda Henson
Mark Manasco Community Service: Music City Sisters
Bianca Paige Pride Volunteer: Debra Hyslop
Philanthropic Business Award: Joey Brown, Play Dance Bar
2012
Ally Award: Shea Webber, Nashville Predators
Rising Star: Annie Golighty, Jennifer Bieta, Heather Hauser
Mark Manasco Community Service: Chris Sanders
Bianca Paige Pride Volunteer: Pam Wheeler
Philanthropic Business Award: Arnold Myint
2011
Ally Award: Mike Curb, Curb Records
Rising Star: Heather Thompson
Mark Manasco Community Service: Outcentral Board of Directors
Bianca Paige Pride Volunteer: Mac and Keith Hinkle
2023
Community Service Award: Christiane Davis, Kerrie Turney, Matia Powell
Grand Marshals: Olivia Hill, Eric Cox
2022
Grand Marshals: TJ Osborn, Leslie Jordan, Greg Cason, Alberta Hardison
Ally Award: Pam Kelner
Mark Manasco Community Service: Terry Vo