We Speak Events
Happy Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa paves the way for a brighter future! It’s up to all of us to do our part to brighten the way for black organizations to grow and thrive!
So, as we celebrate Kwanzaa and focus on the seven principles, let’s remember to patronize black businesses – seven days a week!
Day 1
Umoja (Unity)
Let’s strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race, by encouraging all of our friends and loved ones to support black businesses.
Day 2
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Let’s define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak up for ourselves to ensure that everyone we know is familiar with the power of black business.
Day 3
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Let’s build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and work to solve them together.
Day 4
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Let’s build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses, using them as a medium to promote growth, and to profit/benefit from them together.
Day 5
Nia (Purpose)
Let’s make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to traditional greatness.
Day 6
Kuumba (Creativity)
Let’s always do as much as we can to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters to support black business, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Day 7
Imani (Faith)
Let’s believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle to keep black businesses in the black!
Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture. During this holiday season, let’s take time to support black businesses and celebrate all that we mean to each other. We will then have a brighter future for us and generations to come!
Acclaimed performer, advocate, television host, and community leader Wendy Stuart, also known to many as Wendy Darling, was honored with the Activism Award at the 2026 Catskills Pride Awards Night held at The Eldred Preserve in New York.
The event celebrated individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on the LGBTQ+ community through advocacy, leadership, artistic achievement, and public service. Among a distinguished group of honorees, Stuart was recognized for decades of unwavering commitment to visibility, inclusion, and support for LGBTQ+ causes.
For many in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, Wendy Stuart has long been a familiar and respected voice in the LGBTQ+ community. Her activism dates back decades, including participation in the historic New York City Pride March and service as an original board member of Triversity, The Pride Center serving communities throughout the tri-state region.
Beyond her advocacy work, Stuart has used her talents in entertainment and media to amplify LGBTQ+ voices. As host of Triversity Talk and co-host of If These Walls Could Talk, she has provided a platform for activists, artists, community leaders, and changemakers whose stories might otherwise go unheard.
During the awards ceremony, attendees celebrated Stuart’s remarkable ability to combine entertainment with purpose. Her efforts as a member of the Imperial Court of New York have also helped raise awareness and funding for countless LGBTQ+ organizations and initiatives over the years.
Standing before an audience of supporters, fellow honorees, and community leaders, Stuart accepted the recognition with the same passion that has defined her career. The honor reflects not only her decades of activism but also her continuing commitment to education, advocacy, and community engagement.
The Activism Award serves as a fitting tribute to a woman whose influence extends far beyond the stage and television screen. Through her work as a performer, advocate, and media personality, Wendy Stuart has consistently demonstrated that visibility matters and that one voice can inspire meaningful change.
Her personal mission remains as powerful today as it has throughout her career:
“I advocate, I educate, I entertain. I’m blessed to do so.”
As Catskills Pride recognized its 2026 honorees, Wendy Stuart’s award stood as a celebration of a lifetime devoted to uplifting others, strengthening communities, and ensuring that LGBTQ+ voices continue to be heard, respected, and celebrated.
Other honorees at the event included actress Melissa Gilbert, community leader Paula Campbell, artists Barry Becker and Tony Coscia, and artistic achievement recipient Nonna Hall, making the evening a memorable celebration of leadership, service, and pride throughout the region.
Watch Wendy Stuart’s speech at the Catskills Pride Awards on Youtube here:
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