Newark Pride, Inc. Announces 2026 Grand Marshals for the 21st Annual Newark Pride Parade

NEWARK, NJ – Newark Pride, Inc. is proud to announce the distinguished Grand Marshals of the 21st Annual Newark Pride Parade, taking place on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This year's honorees—Bishop Kevin E. Taylor, Brielle Winslow-Majette, Madeline Gale, and Reubena Spence—have each dedicated their lives to advocacy, visibility, service, and creating a more just and affirming world for LGBTQIA+ communities.

As Newark Pride celebrates its 2026 theme, “Our Bodies. Our Stories. Our POWER!”, these leaders embody the very essence of the movement. Their collective work spans faith, social justice, education, policy, media, civil rights, and community organizing, reminding us that our stories have the power to inspire change and our identities are worthy of celebration and protection.

The Grand Marshal distinction is the highest honor bestowed by Newark Pride, recognizing individuals whose leadership and impact have transformed communities and advanced equity for LGBTQIA+ people across New Jersey and beyond.

Why They Were Chosen

This year's Grand Marshals were selected because they represent the diverse stories and experiences that make our movement powerful.

Bishop Kevin E. Taylor has spent decades using his voice and platform to champion faith, justice, and cultural storytelling while creating affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ people within ministry and media.

Brielle Winslow-Majette has emerged as one of the nation's leading voices for intersectional LGBTQIA+ advocacy, breaking barriers as the first Black Acting Executive Director of Garden State Equality and championing racial and gender justice.

Madeline Gale and Reubena Spence have dedicated their lives to building inclusive communities and advancing equality through advocacy, education, and civic engagement. Together, they have helped transform the landscape of LGBTQIA+ organizing in New Jersey and have created spaces where countless individuals feel seen, welcomed, and empowered.

These four extraordinary leaders exemplify courage, resilience, and the unwavering belief that liberation is only possible when all of our stories are honored.

Grand Marshal Biographies

Bishop Kevin E. Taylor

Bishop Kevin E. Taylor is the Senior Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church NewArk and currently serves as the Chief Visionary Officer of The BOOM Agency, his consulting and media company and the rebirth of the production vehicle he founded in 1994.

In addition to his celebrated career in social justice and ministry, Taylor has spent decades as a television producer, writer, and content creator, working alongside legendary artists including Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, and Sade, while helping to establish the careers of superstars such as Maxwell, Aaliyah, DMX, Mary J. Blige, and Mariah Carey.

Through his creative work, he has produced 11:11@11 and NOW WHAT WITH KEVIN E. TAYLOR, where he has interviewed recording artists including Dionne Warwick, Rachelle Ferrell, Kelly Price, and BSlade, as well as politicians, actors, and cultural creatives. He is currently working on new books scheduled for release later this year.

For decades, Bishop Taylor has demonstrated the transformative power of faith, storytelling, and community leadership.

Brielle Winslow-Majette

Brielle Winslow-Majette is an Essex County native who first captivated TikTok audiences by boldly challenging beauty norms and unapologetically embracing her facial hair to advocate for representation of women living with PCOS.

Today, she serves as the first Black Executive Director of Garden State Equality, New Jersey's statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization. She also teaches LGBTQIA+ Policy at Rutgers University and has spoken nationally and internationally on LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice.

Brielle serves as the Racial Justice Committee Board Chair of Equality Federation and is a West Orange Human Relations Commissioner. She is the founder of Bespoken Woman and the Queer BIPOC Network, centering intersectionality in both policy and practice.

Her leadership has earned national recognition, including being featured in Curve Magazine's 2026 Power List, Insider NJ's 100 Rising Generations, and the 2025-2026 National Black Justice Collective's 100 to Watch. She is also a proud member of Sigma Omega Phi Fraternity, Inc., a collegiate social service organization for masculine-identified gay females.

Brielle's work continues to redefine leadership and representation for the next generation of LGBTQIA+ advocates.

Madeline Gale

Madeline Gale has been actively involved in civil rights and community advocacy for most of her life. She is a Co-Founder and Board Member of Out Montclair, Co-Chair of the NJPAC LGBTQ+ Advisory Council, a member of the Newark LGBTQ+ Film Festival Committee and Garden State Equality Older Adults Council, a Board Member of the Montclair NAACP Executive Committee and Montclair Mutual Aid, and a Montclair Civil Rights Commissioner.

An Early Childhood and Special Education Teacher and Reading Specialist for much of her career, Madeline has also organized and participated in historic LGBTQ+, feminist, and AIDS activism, including ACT UP demonstrations in Boston and national marches in Washington, D.C.

In 2013, she and her wife, Reubena Spence, made history as the first LGBTQ couple to register for a marriage license in East Orange, New Jersey, following the passage of marriage equality.

Madeline's lifelong commitment to justice and education has left an indelible mark on generations of advocates and community members.

Reubena Spence

Reubena Spence is an LGBTQIA+ community leader, civil rights advocate, and the President and Co-Founder of Out Montclair, the nonprofit organization behind Montclair Pride.

Under her leadership, Out Montclair has grown into a thriving year-round organization dedicated to advocacy, wellness, arts, education, and community connection throughout New Jersey.

Since 2020, Reubena has also served on the Montclair Township Civil Rights Commission following her appointment by Mayor Dr. Renee Baskerville and the Township Council.

Her leadership and service have earned numerous honors, including being named a 2023 "Hero of NJ-11" by now-Governor Mikie Sherrill and receiving recognition from the Essex County Board of County Commissioners for her outstanding leadership and lasting contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Widely respected for her collaborative approach, Reubena is known for bringing people together, building meaningful partnerships, and advancing LGBTQIA+ visibility, inclusion, equality, and belonging throughout New Jersey and beyond.

Join Us in Celebrating Our Grand Marshals

Newark Pride invites the community to honor these extraordinary leaders at GAWDLY: The Legacy Brunch on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Isle 15. The brunch serves as Newark Pride's official Grand Marshal reception and celebration of the individuals whose work continues to move our communities forward. During the ceremony the late Bernard "Bernie Lanvin" McAllister, Sha'Vi Lewis, Delvon Johnson, and Vanice 'DJ Melodious' Palmer will posthumously be award Legacy Awards.

Tickets are available now at www.newarkpride.org/events.

The community is also encouraged to march alongside our Grand Marshals during the 21st Annual Newark Pride Parade on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., as they lead thousands of participants through the streets of Newark to the festival grounds at Mulberry Commons Park.

Together, let us celebrate the leaders who remind us that our stories matter, our communities are resilient, and our collective power continues to shape a brighter future.

For more information about Newark Pride Fest 2026 and all official events, visit www.newarkpride.org or follow us on Instagram @newarkprideinc.