Holly Blevins to receive 'Drum Major' Award at Legacy Awards

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

Hosted by Ohio University Southern, 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.

“When I moved out here, it became clear there was a need that wasn’t being filled,” Blevins said. “A group of us decided to start Ashland Pride to create a safe space and offer resources for the community.”

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.

“The Pride Picnic was the first event of its kind in Ashland,” Blevins said. “The turnout our first year was triple what we expected, and it’s grown every year since. It’s incredible to see faces at the picnic that we don’t see at any other time of year.”

Blevins also spearheaded the “Love Can Build a Bridge” 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.

“The mural was a true community effort,” she said. “We invited anyone who wanted to leave their mark, and seeing people come together to paint was a powerful reminder of what fellowship looks like.”

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

“We’ve worked with organizations like Amazon and even local elected officials to provide training,” Blevins said. “A lot of people want to learn but don’t 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.”

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

“When people take the time to meet us and have one-on-one conversations, they realize we’re just like you,” she said. “We’re local citizens, we pay our taxes, we work alongside them.”

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.

“They told us they’d never had a place where they could be themselves before,” she said. “That’s why we do this work—to create spaces for people who don’t have them elsewhere.”

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

“Dr. King taught us that there’s hope and that change is possible,” she said. “I’m 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.”

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

“We’re still fighting many of the same battles,” she said. “His teachings remind us that those of us with privilege have a responsibility to stand up for marginalized communities. There’s still so much work to do, but his legacy gives me hope that we can achieve it.”

Receiving the “Drum Major” Award was unexpected for Blevins.

“I didn’t even know I had been nominated,” she said. “None 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.”

Looking ahead, Blevins is excited about the future of Ashland Pride, which is relaunching initiatives like the Y’all 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.

“My goal is to ensure Ashland Pride continues to grow and thrive, even when I eventually step away,” she said. “I want it to be a lasting community that has its own momentum.”