REACH LA, the community-based nonprofit celebrating 33 years of empowering LGBTQIA+ people of color in Los Angeles, is preparing for its annual gala on February 15, 2025. The event will bring together 350 influential LGBTQ activists, allies, celebrities, and organizations.
Hosted by Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change, this year’s gala will honor Peppermint, Jessica Betts, and Blair Imani, with additional honorees to be announced soon.
A trailblazing entertainer and advocate redefining representation for transgender communities, Peppermint will receive the Trans Vanguard Award and host the gala’s afterparty, The Peppermint Lounge. As the first trans woman to originate a principal role on Broadway in Head Over Heels, Peppermint, known for her standout role in “Survival of the Thickest,” is being celebrated for having shattered barriers in the arts, paving the way for greater inclusion and representation. In addition to her impactful work in the arts, Peppermint tirelessly advocates for transgender rights, racial equity, and mental health awareness.
Additionally, singer/songwriter Jessica Betts will be honored with REACH LA’s Artistic Impact Award, as a nod to her profound contributions to music, representation, and LGBTQ+ visibility. As a celebrated singer-songwriter, her artistry entertains and inspires by challenging norms and amplifying queer voices. Alongside her wife, Niecy Nash, Jessica made history as part of the first lesbian couple on the cover of Essence, celebrating Black love and LGBTQ+ representation.
Blair Imani, creator of the viral series Smarter in Seconds and the Los Angeles Times bestselling author of “Read This to Get Smarter” will receive the Activist with Impact Award for her contributions to education, inclusion, and LGBTQIA+ activism.
Founded in 1992, REACH LA is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to engaging, empowering, and celebrating LGBTQIA+ youth of color through social enterprise, creative arts, personal development, and health and wellness initiatives. As a key partner in the CDC’s Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign, REACH LA works tirelessly to reduce HIV stigma and promote testing, prevention, and treatment. www.reachla.org.