Jim Melotte helped form the Milwaukee Pride Parade in 2005. The Parade had in earlier years been part of the Pridefest celebration and event, until Pridefest abandoned parade organization and concentrated only on the festival event itself. That temporarily left Milwaukee without a Pride Parade, until a separate group formed to organize annual parades again.

By the initiative of Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and Supervisor Peter Burgelis, some forty individuals and organizations were recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and presented citations in a special meeting on June 22, 2023. "Today, we recommit Milwaukee County to supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating those who make a substantial positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community in Milwaukee County," Supervisor Burgelis stated. "Today we are making up for lost time. We have dozens of people to recognize, not because so much has been done in the past year, but because decades and even years ago, there was little to no recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. I am thankful to work with a Chairperson who enables our County Board to honor these well-deserving individuals."

Recognitions were made in the categories of "Community Leaders and Activists," "Government Leaders," "Business and Cultural Leaders," and "Health and Wellness Leaders". Jim Melotte's citation (largely self-written) read as follows:

• WHEREAS, Jim Melotte helped form the Milwaukee Pride Parade in 2005, as a founding member of the parade, and has been involved with all 19 Milwaukee Pride Parades since; and
• WHEREAS, Jim Melotte took over as Vice-President of the Milwaukee Pride Parade in 2006, a role he served in until 2010; and
• WHEREAS, Jim Melotte became the President of the Milwaukee Pride Parade in 2010, and has admirably served as leader of the organization ever since; and
• WHEREAS, Jim Melotte has overseen the Milwaukee Pride Parade’s expansion from just 30 units in 2005, to 175 units in 2023, the largest pride parade in Milwaukee’s history; and
• WHEREAS, Jim Melotte, in his leadership as President of the Milwaukee Pride Parade, has proudly created a family fun-oriented celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride for citizens across Southeastern Wisconsin and Milwaukee County to enjoy; and
• WHEREAS, Jim Melotte admirably works to increase the visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in Milwaukee County through his work with the Milwaukee Pride Parade, and helps thousands of people celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month every year; now, therefore
• BE IT RESOLVED, the members of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, on the motion of Supervisor Peter Burgelis, along with Supervisors Ryan Clancy, Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, Caroline Gómez-Tom, Willie Johnson, Jr., Juan Miguel Martinez, Shawn Rolland, Steven Shea, Liz Sumner, Sequanna Taylor, Sheldon A. Wasserman, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson do herewith commend Jim Melotte for his dedicated efforts and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, and wish him prosperity, happiness, and continued success in all his personal and professional endeavors.