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Holly Blevins, co-founder and president of Ashland Pride, will receive the 鈥淒rum Major鈥� Award at the upcoming Legacy Awards ceremony on Jan. 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the Riffe Rotunda.

Hosted by , the event celebrates individuals, students, and organizations for their leadership, advocacy, and contributions to the community as part of the annual Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Originally from California, Blevins moved to Ashland in 2015 with her husband, a native of the area. Soon after, she identified a gap in local resources for the LGBTQ+ community and decided to take action.

鈥淲hen I moved out here, it became clear there was a need that wasn鈥檛 being filled,鈥� Blevins said. 鈥淎 group of us decided to start Ashland Pride to create a safe space and offer resources for the community.鈥�

Under her leadership, Ashland Pride has organized a variety of initiatives, including the annual Pride Picnic, which has become a cornerstone event for the LGBTQ+ community in the region.

鈥淭he Pride Picnic was the first event of its kind in Ashland,鈥� Blevins said. 鈥淭he turnout our first year was triple what we expected, and it鈥檚 grown every year since. It鈥檚 incredible to see faces at the picnic that we don鈥檛 see at any other time of year.鈥�

Blevins also spearheaded the 鈥淟ove Can Build a Bridge鈥� mural project, a community-focused initiative that brought together individuals from all walks of life to create a lasting symbol of inclusion in downtown Ashland.

鈥淭he mural was a true community effort,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e invited anyone who wanted to leave their mark, and seeing people come together to paint was a powerful reminder of what fellowship looks like.鈥�

Another cornerstone of Blevins鈥� work is Safe Zone training, which educates organizations and individuals on fostering inclusive and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ individuals.

鈥淲e鈥檝e worked with organizations like Amazon and even local elected officials to provide training,鈥� Blevins said. 鈥淎 lot of people want to learn but don鈥檛 know where to start. The training provides a safe space to ask questions and gain a better understanding of how to support the LGBTQ+ community.鈥�

While Blevins acknowledges that the work is not without its challenges鈥攕uch as online negativity and protests at events鈥攕he remains committed to overcoming barriers and building connections.

鈥淲hen people take the time to meet us and have one-on-one conversations, they realize we鈥檙e just like you,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e local citizens, we pay our taxes, we work alongside them.鈥�

For Blevins, one of the most impactful moments in her advocacy came at a Pride Picnic when a teenager approached her in tears to express gratitude.

鈥淭hey told us they鈥檇 never had a place where they could be themselves before,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we do this work鈥攖o create spaces for people who don鈥檛 have them elsewhere.鈥�

Blevins draws deep inspiration from the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose principles continue to guide her work.

鈥淒r. King taught us that there鈥檚 hope and that change is possible,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 especially inspired by how he galvanized people, not just through his leadership but through the small groups and movements that grew out of his efforts. He showed us that even smaller communities like ours can make a difference.鈥�

Reflecting further, Blevins said Dr. King鈥檚 message remains as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.

鈥淲e鈥檙e still fighting many of the same battles,鈥� she said. 鈥淗is teachings remind us that those of us with privilege have a responsibility to stand up for marginalized communities. There鈥檚 still so much work to do, but his legacy gives me hope that we can achieve it.鈥�

Receiving the 鈥淒rum Major鈥� Award was unexpected for Blevins.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know I had been nominated,鈥� she said. 鈥淣one of this work would be possible without other people. I rely so heavily on my board and fellow advocates. This award is just as much for them. It help motivate us to keep working toward our goals.鈥�

Looking ahead, Blevins is excited about the future of Ashland Pride, which is relaunching initiatives like the Y鈥檃ll Means All campaign to partner with businesses and organizations committed to inclusion. The group also aims to open a drop-in center to provide resources, support groups and a trans clothing closet.

鈥淢y goal is to ensure Ashland Pride continues to grow and thrive, even when I eventually step away,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want it to be a lasting community that has its own momentum.鈥�