A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of hosting a Community Open House, an event dedicated to warmly welcoming our neighbors here in Liberty City into our center. It was an opportunity for us to connect with our community on a deeper level, to understand their needs, and to reaffirm our commitment to serving them.
Photography: Kri8ed Media Group
It was a beautiful Spring afternoon and the Florida sun smiled upon us as laughter echoed throughout the neighborhood. As soon as we raised our rainbow flag, and
the music started playing from our courtyard, community members flooded into our center to see what was going on.
The Open House was a family-style cook out event, featuring mouthwatering dishes prepared by this communities very own Chef Frances. She treated us to delicious a BBQ - from jerk chicken to Haitian rice and burgers. And of course, no cookout would be complete without a sweet treat, so she provided Pridelines-branded cupcakes that added a touch of sweetness. We had drinks and cold beers, courtesy of Kombi Keg who brought their retro-style, 70s VW van, serving specialty beers.
But it wasn't just about the food; it was about the atmosphere and the sense of togetherness that filled the air. DJ AC spun summer-time classics that had everyone getting down. From the Cha Cha Slide to line dances, the energy was infectious, and the block came alive with laughter.
We were honored to also have the Out My Closet pop-up shop at our event. Out My Closet provides a unique and empowering shopping experience, offering clothing, shoes, accessories, and more to the community at no cost. Their presence added an extra layer of warmth and inclusivity as community members had the opportunity to explore new styles, play with fashion, and leave with new items completely free. Our incredible partners All Of Us and Equality Florida were also present, sharing valuable resources with our community.
We couldn't have asked for a more spirited event. One person who attended said "I've never seen so much Pride in this neighborhood." It was a day filled with laughter, forming new friendships, and a shared sense of belonging.
To everyone who joined us for our Community Open House, thank you for making it such a memorable and joyous occasion. Your presence and support mean the world to us, and we look forward to continuing to serve and uplift our community together. And a huge thank you to our sponsors, Shake Shack and Avita, for making the event possible.
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