Rayceen Pendarvis

Rayceen is a founding member of the House of Pendavis, adopting “Pendavis” as a surname but adding a “r.”
“You can’t offend me if you call me Mr. Rayceen or Mrs. Rayceen, just don’t call me bitch the wrong way. People ask me how I identify, are you male, are you female? I tell them I’m a human being, I’m a two-spirit person. I embrace my feminine side, my masculine side. I don’t get caught up in labels. I’m a human being walking in this human experience called life.”
Rayceen is known for her emceeing and her advocacy in the D.C. area.
In 1985, she started working with orazniations like ICAN, Whitman-Walker, Us Helping Us, Transgender Health Empowerment, and the Wanda Alston Foundation to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
She was integral in organizing the DC Black Pride festival and hosted the inaugural one in 1991.
From 2012 - 2021 she hosted a live monthly variety program in Washington D.C., The Ask Rayceen Show.
In 2015, she was honored by the DC Center for the LGBT Community and the Community Church of Washington DC.
The D.C. council issued a ceremonial resolution honoring her in 2021.
She has 5 kids.

Linda aka MC Debra