In 2002, the first annual Ebony Pride Festival kicked-off on Saturday, September 21st in the Balboa Park Naval Medical Center parking lot. The following year, a newly established Board of Directors would take the helm of Ebony Pride to usher in a new era for the event. The organizers that led that development included Ken Riley, Ronny (Ronnie) Green, Debbie Hunt, Robert Carter, Renay Smith, and Cherly Robinson.

Cyphers, Amber L., editor. "Inclusiveness the Theme of First Ebony Pride Event." Gay and Lesbian Times, no. 768, 12 Sept. 2002, pp. 14+.