Black Tie Dinner – the nation’s largest LGBTQ fundraiser dinner of its kind – revealed several new additions to their 40th Annual Dinner program presented by PNC Bank. This year’s Elizabeth Birch Equality Award recipient will be Niecy Nash, an Emmy-Award-winning actress, comedian, and best known for her roles in Reno 911! and Claws. Black Tie Dinner will also be presenting the Ally for Equality Award to Michelle Visage, an actress, producer, media personality, television host, and best known for serving as a permanent judge on the Emmy-Award winning reality series RuPaul’s Drag Race. Also, singer, songwriter, choreographer, and performer Todrick Hall will be the featured entertainment.
“We are thrilled to be honoring Niecy and Michelle for their positive contributions to the LGBTQ community and excited to have Todrick back on our stage as the featured entertainment,” said 2021 Black Tie Dinner Senior Co-Chair Brad Pritchett. “This year’s program line-up is one of our most diverse and compelling programs ever and reflects the inclusivity of the communities that we serve. It will truly be a powerful evening of education, empowerment, and entertainment to celebrate our 40th annual Dinner.”
Niecy, Michelle, and Todrick join the already announced program of design expert and Emmy-nominated TV host Bobby Berk, actor and performer D.J. “Shangela” Pierce, actor and producer Josie Totah, and popular comedian Dana Goldberg. The 40th Annual Black Tie Dinner presented by PNC Bank will be held on Saturday, November 13th at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Dallas.
COVID Protocol Updates
To ensure a safely executed event, Black Tie Dinner has made some changes to the typical Dinner weekend experience. There will be no Friday night event (B4Black), they have reduced the capacity of the Dinner on Saturday, and have reconfigured the flow of various elements of the overall experience. In addition, Black Tie Dinner is requiring all guests and volunteers to be fully vaccinated or to have a negative COVID test result taken within 48 hours of our event for entry. Onsite testing will be available for guests who cannot get tested in advance. Please note this could delay your experience and you will be charged the expense of testing on-site.
“As we continue to monitor the ongoing COVID situation with local officials, the CDC, and venue leadership, our top priority is the safety of our guests, Board, volunteers, and beneficiaries,” said Terry Loftis, 2021 Black Tie Dinner Junior Co-Chair. “These protocols will help ensure the safety of our guests and allow us to celebrate our 40th annual Dinner safely to support our North Texas LGBTQ community.”
For additional information about program line-up, COVID protocols, the full list of 2021 beneficiaries, and the 40th Annual Dinner presented by PNC Bank, visit blacktie.org.
