Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Cotton
Hi Bryan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in the nonprofit sector began in 2011 when Robert Shipman invited me to lunch. That initial meeting led to a board position with the PFLAG/HATCH Youth Scholarship Foundation. Over several years, three serving as President alongside my invaluable Vice President Lisa Hopkins, we guided the organization through a rebranding to become Out For Education, which continues its impactful work in our community today.
Subsequently, I joined Victory Fund and in 2019, I became a board member at The Montrose Center, taking on the role of Philanthropy Committee Chair. In the spring of 2023, a conversation sparked a call to action regarding Houston’s Pride initiatives, with someone remarking that I might be the right person to lead the effort. After thoughtful consideration and discussions with community leaders and my husband, I took on the challenge.
I assembled a diverse board that reflects Houston’s vibrant diversity and prioritized full financial transparency, elements sorely lacking in our city’s Pride landscape. I’m pleased to report that we’ve successfully achieved these goals.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our journey has been far from easy. Right from the start, we faced a significant hurdle: confusion over why our organization was formed in the first place. When concerns were raised, many leaders whom we hoped would uphold integrity and do the right thing chose to remain silent. This furthered confusion and allowed false narratives to persist.
For years, Pride 365 demonstrated a lack of financial responsibility. Questions about where the money went have gone unanswered. Currently, there’s active litigation surrounding hundreds of thousands of dollars that remain unaccounted for, although this amount fluctuates according to legal records. This lack of transparency has been known by community leaders for years.
However, thanks to our brave partners and sponsors, amazing volunteers, organizations, and our dedicated Board, we have managed to overcome these challenges. We are excited about the years ahead, as we are committed to giving back to the community in ways that are both needed and deserved. Houston’s New Faces of Pride will rebuild community trust in a pride organization and hopefully those who chose to remain silent in the past can join us in our mission of doing what is right for our community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Having “Pride” in our name brings significant privilege. It opens doors to meetings with Fortune 100 companies, which we leverage to benefit Houston’s LGBTQ+ community. Our nonprofit’s primary goal is to support smaller organizations. Each year, we select two financial beneficiaries and highlight a different nonprofit each month during our nonprofit happy hour. Additionally, we host numerous events throughout the year to foster unity, inclusivity, and empowerment within Houston’s diverse LGBTQ+ community. Join us in celebrating and amplifying the vibrant identities that define our city through our year-round events and fundraising efforts.
What are your plans for the future?
Houston’s New Faces of Pride is ushering in a transformative era for pride celebrations in our city. Our vision is to establish Houston as a premier destination for Pride weekend, drawing visitors from far and wide. Each year, our festival and parade will expand, accompanied by an enhanced Pride week featuring a diverse array of events.
The inaugural festival and parade held this past June marked a resounding success. It was meticulously organized, earning rave reviews from vendors and sponsors alike. Monte Bachus, our Festival Director, received glowing feedback from numerous participants, who described it as the best festival they’ve ever attended—an unprecedented accolade.
Moving forward, our focus remains on growing attendance while maintaining our exceptional organizational standards. We are committed to creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for participants of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring that Houston’s Pride celebrations set a new standard of excellence in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://NewFacesOfPride.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newfacesofpride/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newfacesofpride
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/newfacesofpride
Image Credits
Dalton DeHart with OutSmart Magazine took all the photos other than the Board of Directors photo which was Tasha Gorel
