Desi — painting louisville with pride.

For the past ten years, Desi has helped create spaces where Louisville’s LGBTQ+ community can feel safe, celebrated, and connected. As she marks a decade of curating events, her work represents much more than nightlife—it reflects visibility, community, and purpose.

Born and raised in Louisville, Desi grew up in a loving, faith-centered household with parents who have been married for more than 33 years. While her family needed time to fully understand her identity, their willingness to grow and accept her taught her the power of love and understanding. Being one of the first openly LGBTQ+ members of her family also gave others the courage to live openly themselves, shaping her desire to help others feel seen and accepted.

Her journey began as many of Louisville’s LGBTQ+ spaces disappeared. Venues that once served as gathering places for the community closed, leaving many people without spaces to connect. Working in healthcare and mental health also showed her how many individuals struggled with isolation and acceptance. Rather than wait for someone else to create opportunities, she decided to become a resource for her community.

Over the last decade, Desi has worked to rebuild that sense of belonging. Her events provide spaces where people can celebrate, network, and create memories while feeling safe and supported. Reaching ten years is an accomplishment she does not take lightly, especially after overcoming financial challenges, criticism, and the behind-the-scenes pressures of event planning.

One achievement she is especially proud of is maintaining safe environments. In ten years of hosting events, she has never experienced a major altercation or incident. She has intentionally built spaces rooted in respect, love, and community.

Her impact also extends beyond the events themselves. Over the years, she has brought more than 23 celebrity guests, entertainers, and influencers to Louisville, creating opportunities for local hairstylists, photographers, makeup artists, DJs, vendors, content creators, and small businesses. She believes that when one person succeeds, the entire community should benefit.

For Desi, these events are about more than entertainment. They provide healing, connection, and joy for people carrying stress, anxiety, grief, or rejection. Pride, to her, represents community, Black joy, unconditional love, and the courage to continue choosing joy despite life’s challenges.

Looking ahead, Desi hopes to expand Pride Game Events into a nonprofit organization that offers mentorship, youth programming, wellness initiatives, education, and year-round resources for the LGBTQ+ community.

After ten years of creating opportunities and building connections, Desi’s legacy is already visible throughout Louisville. Her work has created more than events—it has created community, memories, and spaces where people can truly belong. As she celebrates this milestone, one thing is clear: this is not the end of her journey, but the beginning of an even greater legacy.

Looking ahead, Desi hopes to expand Pride Game Events into a nonprofit organization that offers mentorship, youth programming, wellness initiatives, education, and year-round resources for the LGBTQ+ community.

After ten years of creating opportunities and building connections, Desi’s legacy is already visible throughout Louisville. Her work has created more than events—it has created community, memories, and spaces where people can truly belong. As she celebrates this milestone, one thing is clear: this is not the end of her journey, but the beginning of an even greater legacy.

Her Melanin Pride Weekend is set to take place on September 18th until September 20th, 2026, in Lousville, KY.