Former Destiny's Child star LeToya Luckett to headline BQAF 2024 in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The region's biggest music festival focused on the Black LGBTQ+ community has just announced the headliner for its 2024 show.

Friday, the Black Queer Advancement Festival said former Destiny's Child star and actress LeToya Luckett will perform March 16, 2024 at Warehouse Live Midtown.

Click here for BQAF 2024 ticket information

Luckett rose to fame with the beloved Houston R&B group, helping Destiny's Child achieve four top 10 hit singles before venturing out on her own in 2006.

Her first solo album, "LeToya," debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, and was certified platinum by RIAA. Luckett has also appeared in dozens of movies and television projects since 1998.

Proceeds from the show directly benefit The Normal Anomaly Initiative, Inc., a nonprofit which connects the Black LGBTQ+ community with free HIV/STI testing, employment services, transportation and more.

Now in its third year, BQAF advocates for the well-being of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonbinary people, program director Joelle Espeut said.

But, in spite of serious issues they're facing together, it's still a party.

"BQAF is really a celebration of Black queer joy," Espeut said. "They can really expect a musical experience that feels cohesive. It's gonna feel like all those festivals that are in other cities that Houston has been craving."

Three years in, a new chapter begins

Founder Ian Haddock told ABC13 the 2024 music festival will carry the title "BQAF Homecoming," capping off a year which saw the nonprofit move to new headquarters, and an expansion of services throughout the south.

Critical work that has created a night-and-day difference, especially for those impacted by HIV.

"Being positive is not a negative," project coordinator Flawless Oz said. "When I first came out, there were people dying in droves. We seemed to be going to a funeral every month. With the advent of PrEP and the advent of knowledge, we've been able to change that."

Martise Harper said through faith and community support, he's been living with the disease for 28 years.

A few weeks ago, he started a new job as a health navigator to help make a bigger impact.

"It's amazing to see how the community is responding to The Normal Anomaly," Harper said.

More than 3,000 people received help from The Normal Anomaly Initiative in 2023, and Haddock said he hopes to double that next year as the nonprofit reaches neighbors in Dallas; Atlanta; Memphis, Tenn.; Montgomery, Ala.; and southern Florida.

The music festival will run from 4-10 p.m. on March 16, with an afterparty planned from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

A grand opening celebration is also planned for the nonprofit's new headquarters at 2310 Arbor St., along with a faith leadership summit and the dedication of the Black Pride Hall of Fame.

Warehouse Live Midtown is located at 2600 Travis, in Houston.

ABC13 is proud to serve as BQAF's exclusive television partner.