HELPING PRIDE LIVE ON A REMARKABLE JOURNEY TO OPENING THE STONEWALL NATIONAL MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER
Reading time: 5 min
BCLP has been an invaluable partner to Pride Live and its co-founder and CEO Diana Rodriguez on a remarkable six-year journey to realise her dream of opening the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC) in New York.
Client:
Diana Rodriguez (she/her) Co-Founder and CEO
Organization:
Pride Live
Location:
New York
Description:
Pride Live is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to accelerating awareness and support for the LGBTQ+ community via social advocacy and community engagement
Goal:
To advance the fight for full equality
Industry:
Nonprofit organization
A
Pride of place
BACKGROUND:
The grand opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York on June 28 marks the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion and the culmination of a remarkable six year journey for Pride Live co-founder and CEO Diana Rodriguez.
Our New York and London offices have been invaluable partners to Rodriguez and her team from the very beginning, playing a significant role in the culmination of this once-in-a-lifetime project of international historic significance.
We were honoured to support her vision to create a lasting impact that inspires advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and the ongoing fight for equality.
The opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is a remarkable moment in history for LGBTQ+ populations and their allies. It will empower present and future generations to learn about, and never forget, the Stonewall rebellion and the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ equality movement in the U.S. and globally.
This uniquely important place reminds us of what has gone before, the strength in community, and provides a fitting venue to commemorate the struggle, celebrate all that has been achieved and focus on what is yet to come.
The grand opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York on June 28 marks the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion and the culmination of a remarkable six year journey for Pride Live co-founder and CEO Diana Rodriguez.
Our New York and London offices have been invaluable partners to Rodriguez and her team from the very beginning, playing a significant role in the culmination of this once-in-a-lifetime project of international historic significance.
We were honoured to support her vision to create a lasting impact that inspires advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and the ongoing fight for equality.
The opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is a remarkable moment in history for LGBTQ+ populations and their allies. It will empower present and future generations to learn about, and never forget, the Stonewall rebellion and the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ equality movement in the U.S. and globally.
This uniquely important place reminds us of what has gone before, the strength in community, and provides a fitting venue to commemorate the struggle, celebrate all that has been achieved and focus on what is yet to come.
B
Creating a community legacy
APPROACH:
In particular, BCLP helped Pride Live secure the lease to the storefront, which was vacant and for rent, in the very space that housed the Stonewall Inn in 1969.
BCLP also helped Pride Live navigate complex tax, corporate, and intellectual property issues in connection with the Visitor Center. This counsel continued through the construction phase to help address unexpected issues during the renovation.
In particular, BCLP helped Pride Live secure the lease to the storefront, which was vacant and for rent, in the very space that housed the Stonewall Inn in 1969.
BCLP also helped Pride Live navigate complex tax, corporate, and intellectual property issues in connection with the Visitor Center. This counsel continued through the construction phase to help address unexpected issues during the renovation.
IMPACT:
Rodriguez expresses BCLP played a significant role in the development of this landmark project. “From day one BCLP were just ‘in’. They instantly understood the vision - the fact that we’re doing this historic project together, creating a legacy for the community. All the work that BCLP have done on a pro-bono basis to get us where we are is instrumental. Everyone is going to see the site, but people rarely see the foundational work that goes into something of this magnitude. And that is what BCLP has provided.”
James P Colgate, BCLP Partner, New York says the entire BCLP team immediately recognised the significance of this project: “We quickly embraced Diana’s vision for creating this important institution that will serve generations of people, so they can learn about and never forget the Stonewall uprising and their extraordinary place in history.”
Daisy Reeves, BCLP Global Inclusion & Diversity Client Relationship Partner added: “BCLP is truly honoured to partner with Pride Live on this project. We are committed to working and collaborating with clients and communities to foster inclusion and diversity wherever we do business and we take great pride in our contribution to this milestone project.”
Rodriguez expresses BCLP played a significant role in the development of this landmark project. “From day one BCLP were just ‘in’. They instantly understood the vision - the fact that we’re doing this historic project together, creating a legacy for the community. All the work that BCLP have done on a pro-bono basis to get us where we are is instrumental. Everyone is going to see the site, but people rarely see the foundational work that goes into something of this magnitude. And that is what BCLP has provided.”
James P Colgate, BCLP Partner, New York says the entire BCLP team immediately recognised the significance of this project: “We quickly embraced Diana’s vision for creating this important institution that will serve generations of people, so they can learn about and never forget the Stonewall uprising and their extraordinary place in history.”
Daisy Reeves, BCLP Global Inclusion & Diversity Client Relationship Partner added: “BCLP is truly honoured to partner with Pride Live on this project. We are committed to working and collaborating with clients and communities to foster inclusion and diversity wherever we do business and we take great pride in our contribution to this milestone project.”
All the work that BCLP have done on a pro-bono basis to get us where we are is historical. Everyone is going to see the site but people rarely see the foundational work that goes into something like this.
BCLP is truly honored to partner with Pride Live on this project. We are committed to working and collaborating with clients and communities to foster inclusion and diversity wherever we do business and we take great pride in our contribution to this milestone project.
We quickly embraced Diana’s vision for creating this important institution that will serve generations of people, so they can learn about and never forget the Stonewall uprising and its extraordinary place in history.
Q&A
In conversation with Diana Rodriguez, co-founder and CEO of Pride Live
The BCLP team in New York and London has been an invaluable partner from the very beginning, playing a significant role in the realization of this once-in-a-lifetime project of international historic significance. We caught up with Diana to discover the incredible story behind the Visitor Center and her vision to inspire support for the LGBTQ+ community and the ongoing fight for equality.
Can you tell us about the driving force behind your career?
Service has always been a fundamental part of my family’s heritage, with over four generations serving in the military. This instilled in me a deep sense of the importance of service and a desire to give back to others. My work in the not-for-profit world for the past 32 years has been my way of contributing to causes I believe in...
