PURPOSE
The Cookout: A Black History Month Celebration is one of HOTspots Happening Out’s continuing efforts to showcase that the City of Wilton Manors is welcoming to all races and ethnicities, and is committed to building upon the race relations within the diverse Island City.
THE COOKOUT 2026 DETAILS
– Round-trip JetBlue Flight Raffle when you get Tested with CAN
– Free Parking (rideshare is highly recommended due to limited parking)
– Kid Zone Play Ground and Kiddy Water Park.
– Free Entry, Free Food, Great Music, & Cash Prize Games
– 100% of Drink Sales go to benefit the Back to Blaq
– Public Reading of City’s Black History Month Honoree Proclamation
– $150 Cash Prize Spades Tournament (Register HERE)
– $75 Cash Prize Dominoes Tournament (Register HERE)
FUNDRAISER
In addition to Free Parking, Free Entry, and Free Food, The Cookout has a fundraiser component in which all drink proceeds from the celebration go to a worthy organization. The Cookout donates all drink sales from the event to a nonprofit organization that provides resources and/or services to the LGBTQ+ Black and Brown Community. Our 2026 Beneficiary is Back to Blaq, a multi-day, destination celebration grounded in Black LGBTQ+ liberation, community, and joy (a Black Pride Event in South Florida, Greater Wilton Manors Area). Beneficiary 2025: Legacy Builders Beneficiaries: 2024 – New Era Lodge No. 69 2023 – Black LGBTQ+ Liberation, Inc. (BLINC) 2022 – Ujima Men’s Collective
NOMINATIONS
Black History Month Nominations. The City of Wilton selects a Black-Owned and/or Community Member for a City Proclamation with nominations submitted by the community. The selected Black History Month recipients are honored with a City Proclamation that is read publicly at The Cookout. Stay tuned to learn who the 2026 Honorees are this year. 2023 Recipients Terry Dyer Lorenzo Robertson Blades Barber Studio 2024 Proclamation Recipients: Kendra Carlton Detective Frantz Petitpapa. 2025 Recipients: Jameer Baptiste
SPONSORSHIPS
It is with the generosity of our sponsors that we are able to bring this event to the community. We cherish the support we receive in our effort to uplift the Black and Brown community. Please review our sponsorship levels so that we can start uplifting your organization.
OUR 2026 SPONSORS
TITLE SPONSOR
LIQUOR SPONSORS
FOOD SPONSOR
SPONSORS
TITLE SPONSOR 2025
LIQUOR SPONSOR 2025
FOOD SPONSOR 2025
2025 SPONSORS
PHOTO GALLERIES
The Cookout: A Black History Month Fundraiser 2024 – PHOTOS
2024 SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSOR 2024
LIQUOR SPONSOR 2024
FOOD SPONSOR 2024
The Cookout: A Black History Month Fundraiser 2023 – PHOTOS
The Cookout 2023 (PHOTOS: Coco Alarcon)
A BIG Thank You to Our 2023 Sponsors
2023 PRESENTING SPONSORS
2023 SPONSORS
2022 RECAP
The Cookout inaugural event saw local businesses within Wilton Manors and the surrounding area as well as city officials and neighboring friends and family come together to enjoy cultural food, refreshments, activities and music. *Our 2022 liquor sponsor as new owners/management of LeBoy vigorously spoke out against racism when they first heard that their dark skin dancers experienced negative comments/treatment from a few of their patrons. *Our 2022 food sponsor, The Pub, who serve soul food every Wednesday at their location, immediately took action and banned a patron for life when they heard of his racist remarks. *City Officials, Vice Mayor Paul Rolli and Commissioner Chris Caputo read Wilton Manors City proclamation recognizing The Cookout as an annual Black History Month city event. *We were able to provide a check of all event proceeds to Ujima Men’s Collective, a collective of Black same-gender loving men who will educate, inform, encourage, and advocate for themselves and the greater community. It is with unity and community that we eliminate hate. We support and uplift those who support and uplift all walks of life regardless of sex, age, creed, or race.
The Cookout: A Black History Month Fundraiser 2022 – PHOTOS
A Big Thank You To The Cookout 2022 Sponsors:
Commissioner Chris Caputo
Holy Angels Church
City of Wilton Manors
Pub on The Drive
LeBoy
Anthony Winn Entertainment
Shemuwel
