Pride Bands Alliance is pleased to award the 2025 Pillars of Pride to Robb Blackwell, David McBee, and Chris Schlenker.
The Pride Bands Alliance Pillars of Pride Award recognizes members whose outstanding service has contributed to our growth and development. The core qualities of the award are support, growth, musicianship, fellowship, dedication, and innovation. Today, we have three honorees, each with a decades long history of service and leadership both in front of our bands and behind the scenes.
Robb Blackwell
Submitted by Melissa Terrell
I am nominating Robb Blackwell for the Pillar of Pride. I’m shocked that he doesn’t already have one! Robb has been a member of Pride Bands Alliance since his first conference in Palm Springs in 2005. He has attended every conference since then. Robb is the first person to put his hand up to help. He has been Pride Bands Board President twice! He served as Co-chair 2007 conference, Co-chair 2009 inauguration, Co-Chair 2013 inauguration.
Robb never asks for recognition but quietly does the work. He lends us his graphic design skills without compensation. He manages committees with grace and efficiency. He visits other Pride Bands Alliance bands to help them grow, offer guidance, and play his sax! In fact, before Palm Springs conference, his first actual LGBA event was the Indianapolis Pride Parade where he helped form their band. From day one, Robb has always look to see where there is a need and quietly just helps.
Betsy Smith, Rainbow City Performing Arts (Seattle, WA) and Former Pride Bands Alliance Board President says about Robb:
“During my first year on the LGBA board Robb’s innovative skills were obvious to me. Nothing seemed like an obstacle or phased him while many of us were stumped. Robb could find a creative solution to most problems. I am a bit of a clod with all things IT and Robb has always been gentle and patient with me and others.
His dedication and growth were obvious from his involvement in Silver in St. Louis, and two consecutive inauguration parades. He never seemed to be without energy.
My fondest memories are of the fellowship Robb shared with everyone he met. I never felt that he wanted or needed to be somewhere else, no matter how inane the discussion. Simply put, Robb possesses and exemplifies all the qualities recipients of the Pillar of Pride award.”
Robb Blackwell is the highest example of what we look for in a Pillar of Pride in our community and it’s my honor to be his friend and to nominate him for this award.
David McBee
Submitted by Laura Whitbeck
David McBee is a longtime dedicated member of both D.C.’s Different Drummers and Pride Bands Alliance/Lesbian and Gay Band Association. Over the 25 years that I have known David as a fellow trombone player, librarian (trombarian), and friend, he has exhibited the dedication to “all things band” that make him highly worthy of the Pillars of Pride Award.
As Vice President and President of DCDD, David guided his home band through transitions in artistic directors, spear-headed growth, and helped to foster a welcoming environment for a diverse membership. He has been an active trombonist in the concert, marching, pep and swing bands. His long tenure as delegate from DCDD to Pride Bands Alliance has been a real asset to our organization, as he has frequently helped with on the ground coordination, space, and logistics for national events held in DC, including Presidential inaugural parades and marches on Washington.
In addition to his work as delegate, David has served Pride Bands Alliance as secretary for nearly 15 years, bringing our organization from paper to electronic minutes and communications. His service on national committees including Membership and the 40th Anniversary Committee/History has been substantial. As liaison to member bands, David not only communicated with bands in formation, but gave tangible service to existing bands. For example, he came to Rochester and marched in our Pride Parade, becoming a third of the trombone section.
Most of all, David is a model we can all follow at our performances and conferences. His long tenure means that he has many friends from across the country and around the world, but he also is kind and welcoming to band members who are new to Pride Bands Alliance or who might be attending their first event. I am proud of David and his dedication to our organization, and I am grateful for his friendship.
Chris Schlenker
Submitted by Adam DeRosa
It is my honor to nominate Chris Schlenker for the Pillars of Pride Award. Chris passed away unexpectedly in 2021, and I have waited to submit this nomination so that it might be awarded to him during the Something Wicked conference in Fort Lauderdale in October 2025.
Chris Schlenker served as the Assistant Artistic Director of South Florida Pride Bands for many years, stepping into the interim Artistic Director role in 2006, while we searched for a new Director. Chris was very comfortable serving in an artistic leader role because of his excellent musicianship and outstanding leadership. While professionally, Chris worked in various industries, he truly thrived as an alto saxophone and percussionist for South Florida Pride Bands and Pride Bands Alliance. In addition to serving as Assistant Artistic Director, Chris was also the South Florida Pride Bands Treasurer for many years. Chris was an active part of the Pride Bands Alliance, attending nearly every conference between the late 90s through the 2019 event in Orlando. He also attended the Gay Games in Australia as well as many regional/pride events for various bands within Pride Bands Alliance, from Phoenix to Rochester. Chris also served on the national board for several years, bringing a tremendous amount of organizational history to the boardroom. He even proposed to his husband during the 2011 Pride Bands Alliance conference in Seattle. But what I think most people will remember about Chris was his “bigger than life” personality and his infectious laugh. Chris introduced me to the national scene, and I was fortunate to attend many conferences and out-of-town events with him over the years. What fun we had.
I still grieve at the sudden loss of my best friend nearly 4 years ago. The South Florida Pride Band misses him terribly. Chris exemplified all aspects of the Pillars of Pride award, and we would really like the opportunity to honor him in Fort Lauderdale, in front of his husband and his entire band family. Thanks for your time and consideration.
