First St. Paul Pride Festival

“St. Paul Pride starts on June 10,” Rucker said. “But we will be working on the mission of improving the future of St. Paul every single day.” ”

Kyle Rucker, of  Ruck B Media, organized his first ever St. Paul Pride event at Rice Park, on June 10, 2023. His goal was to provide opportunities for young Black and BIPOC entrepreneurs and artists to represent themselves, and receive compensation for their work.

“My favorite thing was being able to bring our 12 year old niece,” pride attendee Chloe Czaplewski, said. “It was her first Pride experience and she absolutely loved it.” 

From the sound systems to information stalls, Rucker comprised a team of majority BIPOC youth to run the event, some who are or have experienced homelessness. The approach provided opportunities for the team to thrive and gain skills towards their future career paths. 

“Our young people are missing their dreams being validated,” Rucker said, “and validated with some resources.”  

Free and open to the public, Rice Park was decorated with rainbow colors, representing the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities of  Pride. Flags, fans, umbrellas, even dogs wore all colors of the rainbow to mark the celebration. Chloe Czaplewski attended the event with her wife, niece and dog Beau. Czaplewski expressed that for her, Pride is an important time to reflect on the history of the LGBTQIA+ communities. She remembers a time when she wouldn't have been able to marry her wife, and honors those who fought to make their marriage a possibility. As well as the challenges the community continues to face, especially against the trans community. 

“Pride is a time of reflection and also a time to celebrate,” Czaplewski said. “We get to show up loving, joyful, and free. It is a magical space to be in celebration and having intentional time for it is important.” 

Rucker moved to St. Paul from Chicago, Ill, at the age of 15. Rucker says that as a teenager experiencing homelessness, he lived to survive. He credits much of his success to the people in his life that offered care and support as he found his way in a new environment. BIPOC and community elders helped to shift his mindset from survival to that of endless possibilities. 

“It wasn’t the state,” Rucker said. “It was community that put their arms around me, saw something, made an investment and took a risk. That’s all it was. Someone was able to listen to what I was dreaming of doing and said, ‘You can do it.  Here's five bucks to help.’” 

Rucker held the event in St. Paul as it is the city he spent much of his youth developing in. The city's population of homelessness is growing, and this also affects youth; a story he is familiar with. As a St. Paul resident, Rucker said he’s witnessed disparities affect BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and homeless communities. There’s a lack of resources, and of sharing resources. 

“St. Paul is beautiful,” Rucker said. “But we have this hideous nature about us, and we’re trying to figure that out.” 

Safety was a concern for the team, as LGBTQIA+ communities have long been a target for hate, pointed out Rucker. The space was intended to be a safe environment where all are welcomed, invited to be a part of the celebration, could gather without fear, but instead be surrounded by support, with equity and inclusivity at the forefront. 

“St. Paul Pride starts on June 10,” Rucker said. “But we will be working on the mission of improving the future of St. Paul every single day.” 

Rucker is already planning for next year's event. For next year’s event, he is hopeful that even more vendors and businesses will partner to support the initiatives. 

"Having a bigger party is not difficult," Rucker said. "Solving the problems of injustice our BIPOC youth face, now that's the real chess game."