'The key word is rest', say UK Black Pride organisers after 2026 pause
Hits Radio Pride has been catching up with the organisation's Head of Community Engagement as they look to 2027
Those behind UK Black Pride are describing next year as a new opportunity to reset, after pausing their large-scale events in 2026.
The organisers of the world’s largest pride celebration LGBTQIA+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern-descent made the announcement of the move earlier this year, the organisation's 21st anniversary, as part of a strategy to enhance its long-term vision and reinforce community efforts.
Following the news, CEO Lady Phyll said: “Reaching 21 years is both a celebration and a responsibility.
"We are incredibly proud of what we as UK Black Pride have built and continue to build together, not just as an event, but as a movement, a home and a space our communities rely on.
"Taking this strategic pause allows us to reflect, reset and build the strongest possible future for UK Black Pride.
"And let me be absolutely clear: UK Black Pride is not going anywhere."
You can read more about the announcement here: UK Black Pride pauses large-scale event in 2026 aiming for landmark return
Speaking to Hits Radio Pride, Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir, Head of Community Engagement at UK Black Pride, and one of their Deputy Directors, said: "The key word to think about is 'rest'.
"Two decades of UK Black Pride is a very long time to not be able to take the space to be able to step back and reflect.
"As time evolves, I think it's really important to look at the past, look at what we've achieved, and also plan for the future - and that's exactly what this pause is about.
"It's about realising that we don't have to keep on pushing, and sometimes, rest is part of resistance, and rest is about finding ways to build resources in different ways.
"Also, the climate of funding has changed - and we need time to adapt to that.
"It's about doing things differently with the hope of making everything we're doing last even further into the future.
"We're a movement, and give our community so much joy, and if you want all of these things, you have to protect them.
"Sometimes protecting the things you love helps you take a step back and have the energy to carry on."
The message from the organisers is that the skipping of its main celebration this year is to plan for the future, whilst smaller community events have continued in the meantime.
Bosses are promising a landmark return in 2027, building on last year's record turnout in London of 25,000 people.
And, as Aisha explained, it's all about looking after those who put it all together.
She said: "You can't do everything - us volunteers, for example, we have our own day jobs and gay jobs, and queer jobs, all in between.
"It's also about thinking about your team.
"Here in the capital, burnout rates right now are so high.
"We're seeing an increasing number of people struggling, and as an organisation, we don't want to be contributing to that, too.
"So, for us, it was a strategic move, and something a lot of people in the community have admired.
"We've received praise, and it gave permission for other organisations to do the same.
"And because of the break, we're way more energised and ready to go back into it next year - because a rest really isn't a negative thing."
UK Black Pride happens all year long.
Despite the break of the main event, they've hosted a number of hybrid and online events throughout the year, exploring Bi Visibility Month, Black History Month, and have been amplifying the voices of those in the community who they don't usually get the chance to feature.
Black queer culture, music and dance also descended on the Colour Factory in east London in October for their annual Blacktober Fest, with money raised on the night helping fund UK Black Pride's work as a not for profit organisation.
Whilst the iconic UK Black Pride event will make its landmark return in 2027.
You can read more about how they have been marking Black History Month here: Black History Month: Celebrating and recognising those shaping society