Grammy Award Winning Singer-Songwriter Jody Watley made an appearance at Naper Pride Fest in Naperville, Illinois. With a mission to create equal treatment of all gender expressions and any member of the LGBTQIA+ community, the second festival was another step forward. The Naper Pride Organization has a mission statement that “Everyone deserves to feel valued and included.” As Watley wrote in her 1995 hit “Affection “Doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, don’t matter if you’re straight or gay – everybody needs to feel loved.” the message of love and equality is timeless and very much needed now more than ever. The style icon brought the energy to the stage in a power packed party diverse set list, ending the set with a poignant speech to the crowd and thanking Naper Pride.

Photography by Eva Genevieve-Scarborough

Set List: A nonstop party blend of classic Pop/R&B/Hip Hop and contemporary Dance hits

Some Kind Of Lover (short edit)

Nightlife (Jodie Harsh House Mix)

Dancer (Craig C Deep House Mix) 

I Want Your Love (DJ Spinna Mix)/ Your Love Keeps Working On Me / I Want You / Affection Medley)

Still A Thrill

Don’t You Want Me (Francois K. Remix edit)

Friends

Real Love

Looking For A New Love