Each year since 2011, New Orleans Pride has given out the “Starfish Award” to someone in the community for their leadership and charity work. In 2017, New Orleans Pride’s Co-founder, Kevin Donahugh, passed away. At that time, the Pride Board renamed the award in Kevin’s honor. Anyone who knew Kevin, knows he spent his life helping others and raising funds and awareness for several charities here in New Orleans.
Phil Fricano is one of the most selfless individuals one will ever met. He has worked behind the scenes to ensure that the Pride Parade is a success for the past 8 years, and also uses his platform in the community to help local charities such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Fricano has worked to promote diversity and inclusion as well as anti-bullying and suicide prevention in many of his endeavors including the Krewe of King Arthur, where he is Captain and Founder. Fricano is also the owner of PFJ Floats, which helps create many parades and events in New Orleans, including the New Orleans Pride Parade, The Knights of Decadence Parade, Nyx, St. Patrick’s Day and many others across South Louisiana.
