The city of Newark kicked off its annual Pride festival on Monday with a Pride flag raising.

The Pride festival was started to honor Sakia Gunn, a woman who was stabbed on Broad Street in 2003 after telling a man that she was a lesbian.

“Progress has been made since Day 1, 17 years ago. We have definitely grown. It makes me feel warm inside. It makes me feel proud of my community,” says Sharronda “Love” Wheeler, president of Newark Pride Inc.

Pride-themed events will take place in Newark all week, including a parade and concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Sunday.