Teresa's Fundraiser for NWA Equality

Friends - NWA Pride needs you. 

Growing up in Central Arkansas, I never imagined that Pride could thrive in my home state and become the prominent event it is today. Attending for the first time last year, I was blown away by the large turnout and the way Northwest Arkansas comes together to celebrate its own and showcase its best: inviting in attendees from other states and giving them a reason to come to—and love—a state that I know from first-hand experience few people are motivated to visit. 

A free event like this requires months of planning and logistics, hundreds of volunteer hours, and a lot of fundraising. Unfortunately, this year, many annual sponsors are hesitating—financially worried over tariffs and/or fearful they will become a target for supporting DEI initiatives. 

This is deeply disheartening. Not just because I worry about the impression it will make on kids growing up here in Arkansas, who will wonder whether they must move away at 18 to authentically be themselves to fulfill their dreams. I also worry about the impact it will have on companies and communities who will lose out on these ambitious, talented individuals. And I worry about local businesses that depend on Pride Weekend as one of the biggest revenue drivers during the summer, one of the biggest revenue drivers during the summer, keeping the local economy humming when the University of Arkansas is not in session. 

What I do know and don't have to worry about is being able to count on Northwest Arkansas to stand up for what is right. The LGBTQ community needs us as allies to not back down, now more than ever.  

Donate today to secure the future of Pride Weekend. Let's keep Northwest Arkansas Pride as a beacon of acceptance and inclusivity to all of Arkansas

Thank You, 

Teresa Krug

Board Member