Main Stage Headliner | Meryahcology
Meryahcology (Meryah Fisher; they/she) is a fresh new-school take on your favorite 90's and 00's Neo-soul and R&B. With inspirations spanning from Jill Scott, Raheem DeVaughn, and Musiq Soulchild, all the way to Janelle Monae, Angel Haze, and H.E.R.
Meryahcology brings you range and attitude wrapped in sheer love of music as a space for healing, enhancing, and proclaiming one's most authentic and favorite self. Their music reflects the raw, real, sometimes painful, and ultimately beautiful intersection of blackness and queerness. Beyond music, Meryahcology is an Africana Studies professor, holds a BA in Africana Studies, three Masters degrees (Public Administration, Public Policy, and Cultural Studies), and is working towards a doctorate in Education.
They heavily infuse their academic work into their music and art, becoming known and revered by their students and closest colleagues at their institution as an intellectual artist. You can find them on Instagram @Meryahcology to keep up with their latest creative endeavors and join their growing community of folks healing through art and music.
Main Stage Emcee | MC Boom Boom
MC Boom Boom is a graduate of Bowie State University and Two time Student Government Association President and University Council member. Having over nine years of community outreach experience. His passion to uplift and excite others is unmatched. He is a community organizer, personality, and Ballroom advocate. Making his mark on entertainment and community culture in the DMV he is best known for his work with Miss Black USA, Radio One Blitz as a correspondent, "UGLIES" on BRTB TV, POSE on FX, and Host of CheerStarz of America, Voice and Commentating on HBO LEGENDARY, and having been a Commentator for Rihanna Super Bowl Halftime Show. He has hosted over 1000 shows nationwide! Kirk is an active member of the House of Balenciaga as well as other aspects of the House & Ballroom community. His work within the community health space is proving to be an out of the box way to get people involved in education and safe space building. His Life slogan is “Get Excited” and that is exactly what he’s going to make you do at Lehigh Valley Pride!
Main Stage Performer | Stand-up comedian | Tan Hoang
Tan Hoang is a stand-up comedian, actress and performer originally from Vietnam, and currently based in Philadelphia.Hoang was a regular performer at Good Good Comedy in Philadelphia, where she showcased for 2019’s Comedy Central’s "Up Next". She’s performed in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Bechdel Test Festival, Five Dollar Comedy Week, Blue Heaven Comedy Festival, Cannonball Festival and was featured in 2022’s The Very Big Very Asian Comedy Festival. She's opened for such acts as Jon Daly, Whitmer Thomas and ALOK.
She can be seen performing all over Philadelphia, and currently hosts the popular monthly showcase Tattooed Momedy the last Tuesday of every month at Tattooed Mom's on South St.
Main Stage DJ | DJ Deluxx The OG
DJ Deluxx The OG: When you mention the Philadelphia LGBTQIA nightclub scene, you can’t get far without talking about Deluxx. She has been holding down the scene as a local tastemaker for 25+ years. Starting as a professional DJ at the age of 15, Deluxx has been consistent in a field where DJs come and go. She has been on FM radio in Philadelphia, played every major venue for the hottest promoters, and has even been a promoter herself spearheading The Main Event Philly, a Philadelphia-based event company, that has brought over 15,000 LGBTQ people together in various safe spaces since opening its doors in 2010. In addition to organizing events and playing as a DJ for large crowds, Deluxx also spends her time DJing for local schools, corporate clients, and is the go-to LGBTQIA wedding DJ in Philadelphia.
Main Stage Performer | Musician | D'Neah Allen
D’Neah Allen (she/they), also known as Dee Smoov or Deeno, was born in Queens, New York. She grew up in an African American, Irish & Dominican household that was already filled with so much talent from before they were even born. From the moment they opened their mouth, they realized they had that “little sazon”, as their Mema would say. Their mother was an R&B singer who sung background for artists like Donnie McClurkin and Mariah Carey. Their father was a vocal couch who taught artists like Faith Evans. Their musical taste has always ranged from R&B to Alternative Rock which makes them the versatile artist they are today. Aside from the guitar, D’Neah also plays the piano and the congas which was self-taught through countless nights of practicing non-stop. Their unwavering drive to pursue a life in the music industry has landed them opportunities to perform live at places like DROM, Old Mill Pub, Lehigh Valley Pride, Pride Festival of Stroudsburg, and many more iconic venues! In addition, she has released several singles and their first album in 2021 called “Hollywood”.
Main Stage, Youth Stage, & Afterparty Performer | Drag Artist | VinChelle
VinChelle is a multi talented performer whose career has skyrocketed since she moved to the city of brotherly love! Originally from Nashville, TN, Vinchelle moved to Philadelphia to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Theatre from the University of Arts, as well as to pursue her dreams as an entertainer! After winning Philadelphia Drag Wars back in 2015, Vinchelle very quickly made a name for herself in the local Drag Scene and was headlining shows within the year!
She was named Philadelphia’s Drag Queen of the Year in 2017. This self-proclaimed “Tribal Queen” combines comedy and dancing to bring a fierce and friendly energy to the room that leaves you wanting so much more! From singing, to dancing, to comedy, Vinchelle is a triple threat and isn't shy about showing it!
Chi Chi Mizrahi Francisco Gonzalez Jr, Also known as the Legendary Iconic Mother Chi Chi Unbothered West has been a gatekeeper and community advocate for the LGBTQ and underground House and Ballroom community for over 17 years now. His advocacy work has allowed him to travel to various countries including Pakistan, Turkey, and Italy doing political and grassroots work with other LGBTQ members and groups abroad. He is currently a Program director for a non-profit agency in Harlem, NY named SCAN Harbor where he works with 23 different centers and schools in low income areas working to implement LGBTQ safe spaces and services within places deemed unsafe. He is an icon in the youth led kiki scene where he is the founder of the house of Unbothered Cartier and In Mainstream is Legendary Vogue Fem and Overseer for the House of West. He has appeared in icon pops music video “all night” and has worked with various brands and companies including Adidas, Absolut, and Coach. His life’s motto is “Veni , Vidi, Vici- I came, I saw, I conquered”.
Sober Dance Party DJ | DJ Brad Scott
DJ Brad Scott is a Lehigh Valley LGBTQ+ icon having DJ’d countless LGBTQ+ centered events in the Valley. He was named the best party DJ in the Lehigh Valley by Lehigh Valley Style in 2022! He is proudly sober and is the perfect person to keep our sober dance party going all day at Lehigh Valley Pride.
Main Stage & Sober Dance Party Performer | Drag Artist | Elektra Fearce St. James
Elektra Fearce St. James (she/her), is a longtime leader in the Lehigh Valley drag community and has experience engaging volunteers in support of numerous LGBTQ+ non-profits. By day Elektra is known as Ariel Torres and previously worked as Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center's Administrative Manager, and then went on to become Pride Programs Manager, which led to producing Lehigh Valley Pride for the last 4 years. Elektra Fearce St. James has performed across Pennsylvania & neighboring states and has received numerous drag titles including, Miss Gay Pennsylvania America (2009), Miss Stonewall (2009), Miss Gay Allentown America (2009), Miss Diamonz (2007-2008), and East Coast All American Goddess (2017).
Elektra enjoys using her artistic vision to raise funds for LGBTQ+ organizations while celebrating drag as a cultural art form within the LGBTQ+ community. Ariel is currently working as the Associate Director of The Pride Center for Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity at Lehigh University. He brings a wealth of experiences to the Lehigh community and seeks to center community engagement as a critical component of his work in the center and build relationships within the Lehigh Valley in support of students, staff, and faculty.
Sober Dance Party & Youth Stage Performers | Drag Artists | Clan Ann
Clan Ann: The duo was founded on the streets of Philadelphia in 2011. Whether solo or together, Clan Ann is fun from beginning to end. Their unpredictable antics and love of games, Broadway, and boys make them the perfect pair for any event. See them soon, laughing is good for your kidneys!
Youth Stage Performer | Drag Artist | Miss Amie Vanité
Miss Amie Vanité is a professional Drag Queen who has been entertaining Eastern Pennsylvania for over 18 years. She started Pennsylvania’s first official Chapter of Drag Queen Story Hour in 2018 – she continues to entertain children at many Pride Festivals across the state. Amie made her film debut in 2020 with the release of DUST NUGGETS, winner of the “Best Made in Reading” award during the 2020 ReadingFilmFEST. She’s been named The Queen of CABARET, and Reading Pride Celebration Ambassador 2022. Wherever she goes, Amie's goal is to leave her audience entertained and wanting her to come back again and again!
Youth Stage | Author | Deborah C. Mortimer
Deborah C. Mortimer is a trademark attorney and former homeschoolparent with a passion for writing. Born and raised inBrooklyn, New York, Deborah was inspired by her son, aswell as her young nieces and nephews to turn her passion forwriting short stories and poems into crafting children’sbooks. She is also the founder and owner of Leap ForwardPublishing, LLC, a book publishing imprint dedicated todeveloping and promoting books that focus on diversity andrepresentation in children's literature.