For immediate release: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
For more information: Derrick Jones, director@pridelafayette.org
PRIDE LAFAYETTE TO HONOR CHARLIE SHOOK WITH SPIRIT OF PRIDE AWARD
LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Pride Lafayette today announced that it would honor local real estate leader Charlie Shook with its Spirit of Pride Award at the organization’s first-ever Rainbow Gala on March 22, at the Holiday Inn City Centre.
“From the beginnings of Pride Lafayette and our annual OUTFest pride celebration, Charlie Shook has been a cheerleader, supporter, and friend,” said Ashley Smith, president of Pride Lafayette. “It is a tremendous privilege to recognize Charlie for his twenty-plus years of friendship and support of Pride Lafayette and celebrate his steadfast commitment to build an inclusive community that is welcoming to all.”
A graduate of DePauw University and Indiana University, Charlie Shook spent 10 years in Detroit as a commercial loan officer before returning to Lafayette in 1989 to become part of the fourth generation of Shook family leadership for the Shook Realty Group. For the past 35 years, Charlie has become an integral part of the Greater Lafayette community fabric. He has served on the boards and in leadership positions for the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, Greater Lafayette Commerce, The Arts Federation, the Long Center for the Performing Arts, Mental Health America – Wabash Valley Region, and the YWCA Foundation, among others. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Marquis de Lafayette Award from Greater Lafayette Commerce and the Sagamore of the Wabash.
“Everyone who lives and works in Greater Lafayette, or moves to our wonderful community should feel welcomed, seen, and included.” said Shook. “I’ve long been proud to promote and foster those values both professionally and personally. I’m honored to work with Pride Lafayette to build a more welcoming and loving community and I’m humbled to receive the Spirit of Pride Award.”
Pride Lafayette Rainbow Gala, Athenian Nights
When: Saturday, March 22, 2025, 5p-11p
Where: Holiday Inn City Centre Grand Ballroom,
515 South Street, Lafayette, IN 47901
Who:
Vicki St. James, Emcee, Miss Gay Indiana 1995
Charlie Shook, Shook Realty Group
Ashley Smith, President, Pride Lafayette
Derrick Jones, Executive Director, Pride Lafayette
More: www.pridelafayette.org/rainbowgala
About Pride Lafayette
Founded in 2003, Pride Lafayette works to continually educate and promote awareness of diversity, health, culture, and acceptance of individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Together, members of the LGBTQ+ community work to reach the same goal of nondiscrimination by education. Pride Lafayette, Inc. facilitates and coordinates the efforts to work together on a variety of programs and activities such as diversity education, health initiatives, community mobilization, cultural enhancement, and research.
Located on Main Street in downtown Lafayette, Pride Lafayette operates the oldest LGBTQ+ Community Center in the state of Indiana, which serves as the hub for its outreach and educational programming.