{{first_name| Friend}},
I’ve been so excited to hear all the positive reactions from people’s experience with The Union, as well as your excitement around the vision of The Union. Read below for an update on last month and a schedule for the remainder of the year.
Table of Contents
AUGUST RECAP
PJ Morton Concert
In our most recent gathering, we had the pleasure of hosting a thought-provoking discussion with Nia Hope Bess, a corporate responsibility executive at the world's largest bank, on a timely and impactful topic: the transformation of Black communities across the country. She shared with us the nuanced ways these communities are evolving, highlighting the economic movements driving the change, the ways philanthropy seeks to stem the tide of gentrification’s displacement, and the need for those connected to the history and heritage of the neighborhoods to build economic power in order to create their seat at the table.
After the conversation, we shifted gears and immersed ourselves in the soulful sounds of PJ Morton. If you’ve never been to one of his concerts, you truly have been missing out. From the Stevie Wonder-esque voice to the live music to the audience participation, you just had to be there.
This gathering was a reminder of the impact that intimate, purposeful conversations can have. This is why the Union Collective (“The Union”) exists: to bring good people together to facilitate creative collisions that lead to the flourishing of those present as well as the communities in which they exist. I’m looking forward to our next meeting and the continued journey of learning, sharing, and growing together.
UNION ONLINE
Keeping the Conversation Going
One of the consistent requests after The Union gatherings is a directory of who was in attendance. Great people meeting other great people means we generally want to connect beyond the time we are together. A website has been set up where you can create a profile for yourself and access a directory of others connected to The Union. In the future, this platform will host conversations, announcements, and virtual conversations with guests between our in-person gatherings and this monthly newsletter.
Sign up at this link.
Also, this is an example of the type of content you can expect from me on the platform.
UP NEXT
The Union Events
Supporting the mission of The Union gives you access to discounts on future events. To access your discount, don’t forget to use your code: {{member_code | hmmm…I think this is where I direct you to the link above to support}}.
Thursday, September 26, 7:00 PM: How the West Was Won…And How to Win It Back. Plans to develop west of I-4 have been in the works for decades. Those plans have now reached the stage where the implementation is more and more visible. We will be discussing the projects changing the face of West Orlando and what we can do to preserve the history and heritage of the community.
Saturday, October 26, 7:00 PM: Invest in the West (INVITE ONLY). Though many would say gentrification is the result of market forces, let us not forget that a force doesn’t buy property, submit zoning requests, or create residential and commercial developments. Living and breathing people do. Let’s talk about how we can move from being spectators to participants.
Sunday, November 24, 11:30 AM: Sunday Brunch. Some refer to the Florida Classic as one big family reunion. Whether you attended FAMU/BCU or not, you’re welcome to have a good time celebrating a FAMU victory…I mean, a well played game between both teams. We’ll be gathering at the new food hall in the Packing District, the Great Southern Box Company, for brunch and some afternoon fun.
Friday, December 20, 6:00 PM: Cece Teneal Concert. We’re back for another round of Cece Teneal at Judson’s Live at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. We saw Cece back in March and she tore the house down. Kick off your Christmas week with a pre-show reception and support a hometown legend. Click the link to secure your ticket now because I guarantee you this will sell out. Tickets include a pre-show reception at 6PM as well as the 9PM concert. Use the discount code CECE10OFF to get an additional $10 off the early bird ticket price by September 20.
AROUND TOWN
Fawn Weaver, CEO of Uncle Nearest
October 8, 2024
11:15AM - 1:15PM
If you haven’t heard of Fawn Weaver or the story of Uncle Nearest, you’ve been missing out. But don’t you worry, you can hear from her live on October 8 at the Women At The Top luncheon hosted by Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Orlando. If you’ve been to recent Union Collective events, you may have run into Cindy Campbell, who is the current president of CREW Orlando.
If you are planning to attend, click the button below. I’d love for us to be able to purchase a table together. We must support the things we would like to see more of. Individual tickets can be purchased at this link.
