Please give a warm welcome to Shonna Gillis, our new Entertainment Coordinator! Shonna Gillis (she/her) is honored to return for her third year with San Diego Pride and second year as Entertainment Coordinator, where she helps bring the spirit of the celebration to life through dynamic, inclusive, and empowering performance programming. A proud San Diego native, Shonna has deep roots in the city’s creative and LGBTQ+ communities and is passionate about using events as a platform for joy, connection, and liberation. In addition to her role with Pride, Shonna serves as the Event Operations Director for Afternoon Umbrella Friends, a local collective that merges music, art, and wellness to foster vibrant community experiences. She recently led the production of their seventh annual Umbrella Weekend, an immersive multi-day festival that has become a cornerstone of San Diego’s underground arts scene. Shonna is also a DJ known as SHOW SHONNA, spinning high-energy sets that move effortlessly through house, techno, bass, and beyond. Whether she’s behind the decks or behind the scenes, her work is rooted in a deep love for music, meticulous attention to detail, and a drive to create safe, celebratory spaces for self-expression. She’s deeply grateful to be part of the team shaping this year’s Pride festivities and looks forward to another unforgettable season of music, magic, and community. We are beyond excited to have Shonna a part of the team! (fb)

Please welcome our new Manager of Events and Programs, Manny Roman! Manny Roman (Any Pronouns) is a Queer, non-binary, Latinx individual who was born and raised in National City, and is proud of where they come from. Having engaged in community-building social justice work since high school, Manny knew his purpose aligned with bettering the lives of others, specifically by uplifting marginalized and historically-excluded communities however he could. They believe following a pathway towards transformative justice is essential in all aspects of life. Before joining the San Diego Pride team, Manny worked in organizations and programs primarily within higher education – advocating, supporting, and empowering low-income and first-generation students in their academic journey towards success. Manny received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Feminist Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). During their time at UCSB, Manny concurrently served in multiple leadership positions within the Associated Students of UCSB, which included being Co-Chairperson for the Trans and Queer Commission (TQComm), Off-Campus Senator for the A.S. Senate, and the Chairperson for the Finance and Business Committee – representing and advocating for over 24,000 students in Santa Barbara county. During their tenure, Manny oversaw the organized allocation of a $15-million-dollar student fees budget for diverse student populations; chaired the Pride Committee with a budget of $30,000 to create and execute a week’s worth of events for UCSB Pride; and successfully spearheaded efforts to allocate over $100,000 to student relief during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond their work life, Manny is all about joy and connection. You’ll often find them vibing in a cozy coffee shop with an iced oat milk latte, dancing at a Beyoncé concert, or simply sharing laughs and love with the people who matter most. We are beyond excited to have Manny a part of the team! (fb)