Inside Chicago's Black LGBTQ community lives thousands of individuals who have an inherent drive to live, love, contribute and stand together to fight for what is right. Our collective past, and present, show us just how important it is for us to stand together not only in the dark but also in the light.

This year, our Chicago Black Pride theme, No Sleep..., speaks directly to our mission to sponsor programs, activities, and special events to promote unity, cultivate pride and help improve the quality of life of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and same gender loving men and women of African descent.

Through our No Sleep... campaign, we hope to not only celebrate but ignite the Black LGBTQ community with a flame meant to inspire a movement that seeks to reimagine charity, volunteerism, commitment, compassion and pride in our great City of Chicago.

No Sleep 2016 is just the beginning...

This Host Toolkit includes instructions and tips for planning and hosting your No Sleep... event. As a host, you will convene a gathering of 12 or more friends, family, co-workers or --whomever you choose-- and facilitate a fundraiser to assist in raising funds and boosting awareness of Chicago Black Pride.

ABOUT NO SLEEP...

Chicago Black Pride has always been about community and the stories of the people, organizations, and businesses that support our community. This year, we want to engage and encourage the community and its supporters to help us rejuvenate the spirit of Chicago Black Pride. Make no mistake: we are aware of the challenges that we've faced as an organization in the past, but we are looking ahead and we need your help to do it.

Our goal this year is to collaborate with the community to help us spread the spirit and vision of Chicago Black Pride through No Sleep... We chose this theme for many reasons....Yes, we love Janet, but the message behind these words are far greater and more inspiring. In a time and a city where our black and brown communities are facing adversity, ignorance, and inequity, our diverse communities must stand together and do so with vigor and tirelessness.

Hosting Is Easy! The Quick Explanation...

Beginning March 19th, You Can Host A No Sleep...event. Although we prefer every 3rd Saturday of the month, we understand that your schedule might not allow you participate if we restricted these events to one date a month. So, events can take place any day or time of the week! It's easy to host a No Sleep... social fundraiser, all you have to do is follow these steps:

Step 1) Register to be a host on our website.

Step 2) Review your host toolkit. You're already on the right path because you're reading this! – This toolkit has all of the information that you need to host your event.

Step 3) Check your email. -- Once you register online you will receive an email letting you know that your registration is pending review. After you've been approved, you will receive an email from Eventbrite stating that "You've been granted access to an Eventbrite account." Although this message will be from Eventbrite, we are sending you the invite.

The message will read: "Welcome to the club!

You've been given special access to Chicago Black Pride's Eventbrite account as a subuser.

All you need to do is set a password and you're good to go.

Click the link within the message to: Set Up Your Subuser Account

Any actions or events you create as a subuser are controlled by the admin account, ChicagoBlackPride@gmail.com. So if you'd like to organize your own events unrelated to Chicago Black Pride's No Sleep...social fundraisers, feel free to create a different Eventbrite account using another email address. Equally, if you have an existing Eventbrite account, it is important that you use a different email to set up your sub user account.

Step 4) Create Your Event - There will be a link within Eventbrite in the top right corner of the page labeled "Create Event". Use this link to enter the details of your event. We suggest that when you reach the field which requests you to "Create A Ticket", that you elect to create two ticket types, a paid ticket and a donation. The paid ticket will be used for those who wish to attend the event and donate $25. The secondary donation ticket would be utilized for those individuals who would prefer to donate more or less than $25.

Step 5) Invite People To Your Event - Once you've created your event and make it live, you can invite people to your event. You set the guest list, spread the word and send the invites– At least twelve invited guests per event are required. We want everything to be convenient and easy for you. Each event can have as many guests as you will allow with a minimum donation per person of $25, but if your guests would like to give less, it will be up to your discretion to decide.

Step 5) Register your guests – We want this to be easy but also safe for you and your guests to participate. Everyone is required to register for these events--in advance or at the door. This way you’re sure of your guest list and we can track who is supporting the organization. We request that you email us a copy of the list or register your guests through your Eventbrite event page.

Step 6) Spread the word and take photos - We want everyone to know how much fun you and your guests are having. Make sure to post a sign at your event stating that, "This event will be photographed or recorded. Images may be used on the hosts personal social media pages, as well as on Chicago Black Pride promotional material (posters, website, social media pages, flyers, etc). If you do not want your image used, please go to your host and tell them."

Feel free to share photos of your event across social media. Tag us and use the hashtag: #NoSleepChi2016 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. We'd also love to post them to our social media pages. If you'd like them to be posted, please send them to ChicagoBlackPride@gmail.com. It is important that you obtain permission from your guests before posting photos to social media or sending them to us.

HAVE A GREAT EVENT!

HELPFUL THINGS TO KNOW

Q: What is the mission of Chicago Black Pride?

A: Our mission is to develop, implement and sponsor programs, activities, and special events to promote unity, cultivate pride and help improve the quality of life of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons and Same Gender loving Men and Women of African descent. (CBP) is committed to building awareness and pride in the diversity of the LGBT-SGL community.

Chicago Black Pride will be a central resource to bring together the LGBT-SGL people of African descent in the city of Chicago and throughout the Midwest. This will be accomplished through our promotional efforts, support, education, and by celebrating pride in the Black LGBT-SGL community’s rich culture, diversity, contributions and achievements. CBP will accomplish this not only during the Pride weekend but also throughout the year.

Q: When is Chicago Black Pride Weekend?

A: Chicago Black Pride Weekend will be held July 1-4, 2016 in Chicago, IL.

Q: How long are No Sleep... social fundraisers taking place?

A: MARCH 19, 2016 - JUNE 25, 2016: No Sleep... events will take place across the city. These events may be held during the day or evening, and may be a breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or cocktail party. Theme it however you'd like. It's your gathering!

Q: I've never hosted an event like this, can you offer a tip to make my event a success?

A: The key to a successful No Sleep... event is planning and preparation. Keep it simple. Your event will be unique because it's being hosted by you! You get the opportunity to invite people into your host venue (i.e. home or selected gathering spot). You can provide food, drinks, or just host a gathering. The choice is yours.

Q: Who should I invite to my event?

A: We would encourage you to start with the people you know, particularly individuals who support you. Ideally, we're looking for a minimum twelve to fifteen people to attend each No Sleep... hosted fundraiser. If you want to host a larger gathering feel free to do so. We would like as many people to get involved and participate. Once you register and create your event on Eventbrite, you'll be able to make your event public or private. Meaning that if you'd like to share the details of your event with others who are not within your own network you can.

Q: How will our donations be used?

A: All donations will go toward supporting our mission and Chicago Black Pride activities. No Sleep... is our theme for this years' Chicago Black Pride Weekend, but we are also making sure that it is also an opportunity for us to raise funds, build awareness and boost momentum leading up to Chicago Black Pride Weekend 2016.

As a host of a No Sleep... event, we are requesting and are encouraging all hosts to do an ask before your event of $25 per person. If your guests would like to donate more or less than $25, it is entirely up to them. All donations should be collected in advance using our PayPal link (jhinton25@yahoo.com), but if your guests feel more comfortable giving the donation directly to you, then we ask that you make the donation to our PayPal account. All funds raised during your event will go to support the activities and mission of Chicago Black Pride.

Q: How can I connect with other hosts?

A: We have created a Facebook Group for Chicago Black Pride, and once you're a member, you can create your No Sleep... social media event and add additional co-hosts. You will be able to connect with other hosts through this page, as well as send invites to your guests from your personal account.

Q: If we have questions, who should we contact?

A: If you have questions, please feel free to email: ChicagoBlackPride@gmail.com or call 312.685.7443.