Rayceen Pendarvis-Career-Host/Panelist-BRUHS

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GODDESS ON THE MIC

Rayceen Pendarvis is probably best known as a professional emcee more than all other career achievements combined. Throughout the past several decades the "Goddess of DC" has hosted a wide-variety of local and regional events (most notably The Ask Rayceen Show), and continues to remain an in-demand and extremely active emcee. Furthermore, Pendarvis is also frequently commissioned to serve as a panelist or judge for several community forums, balls, pageants, and more, throughout the metropolitan Washington, DC, area and beyond.

Below are highlights of the many social gatherings the veteran master of ceremonies has had a prominent association with throughout a long and successful career.

MONTHLY EVENTS ANNUAL EVENTS SPECIAL EVENTS

MONTHLY EVENTS

The Ask Rayceen Show

INFO

Reel Affirmations XTRA

INFO

PREVIOUS MONTHLY EVENTS

B.R.U.H.S.

A Monthly LGBT In-Person Book & Film Club

Previously Hosted by Rayceen Pendarvis

B.R.U.H.S. - Book Reading Uplifts His Spirit (2014-2016)

B.R.U.H.S. (Book Reading Uplifts His Spirit) is a monthly LGBT in-person book & film club. On January 13, 2014, Turner Freeman (Film Librarian - Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library) and Darrell Johnson (former Library Technician - Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library) presided over the club's first meeting. The event was originally conceived as a community outreach for SGL (same gender loving) Men of Color. Soon thereafter, an invitation was extended to Rayceen Pendarvis (DC socialite and LGBT advocate) to moderate the club.

Each installment presents the work of African-American LGBTQI authors and filmmakers. Panelists and participants are then given the opportunity to discuss and explore the work in further detail. Although originally intended for the sole discussion of material written by and appealing to men (hence the name), the club later expanded to also include the work of notable female writers. The club also began showcasing the cinematic projects of African-American and/or LGBTQ filmmakers.

B.R.U.H.S. has celebrated a variety of literary works, including The Fabulous Sylvester by Joshua Gamson as well as the complete work of acclaimed author E. Lynn Harris. The club also takes great pride in highlighting the works of up-and-coming authors, including Otis Randolf's Shadows Behind The Rainbow, O'Brien Dennis' The Cries of Men, Tim'm T. West's Pre|dispositions – Affirmations on Loving, and R.L. Norman's Honey Let Me Tell You – The Misadventures of Being Misunderstood. Previous films of social significance include Sheldon Larry's Leave It On The Floor (examining the post 90's Ballroom culture) and Dee Rees' Pariah (A lesbian coming-of-age story which won the “Excellence in Cinematography Award” at the Sundance Film Festival).

Due to the ongoing renovations of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, B.R.U.H.S. will continue to utilize various temporary venues. Visit their social media accounts for the most up to date information.

Rayceen Pendarvis served as the ongoing panel moderator from 2014 to 2016.

VENUE (Currently under renovation)

Since its inception, B.R.U.H.S. has officially been sponsored and hosted by the District of Columbia Public Library and housed within the library's central facility, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

On June 28, 2007, the building was designated a historic landmark by the District of Columbia’s Historic Preservation Review Board and also listed on the National Register of Historic Places that same year. The modern and impressive architecture of the facility was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The main lobby features a large mural of its namesake, Martin Luther King, Jr., which was created by Don Miller. The facility is scheduled to be completely renovated by 2020. Click below for temporary venue information.