Saturday, February 1, 2025
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.
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. If you recommend an organization that should be considered for our 2025 Beneficiary, please email Event Director Jameer Baptiste at jbaptiste@hotspots.lgbt.
Beneficiaries:
2024 – New Era Lodge No. 69
2023 – Black LGBTQ+ Liberation, Inc. (BLINC)
2022 – Ujima Men’s Collective
THE COOKOUT 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
-Free Parking, Free Entry, Free Food, Great Music, & Cash Prize Games
– 100% of Drink Sales go to benefit the New Era Masonic Lodge No. 69
– Public Reading of City’s Black History Month Honoree Proclamation
– $150 Cash Prize Spades Tournament
– $75 Cash Prize Dominoes Tournament
– Get Tested for a Chance to Win a Flight
– Kid Zone Play Equipment Raffle
NOMINATIONS
Black History Month Nominations. The City of Wilton selects a Black Business and/or Community Member for a City Proclamation with nominations submitted by the community. The selected Black Month recipients are honored with a City Proclamation that is read publicly at The Cookout. Stay tuned for 2025 nominations toward the end of 2024.
2024 Proclamation Recipients:
Kendra Carlton
Detective Frantz Petitpapa
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.
The Cookout 2024 (PHOTOS: JR Davis)
PRESENTING SPONSOR 2024
LIQUOR SPONSOR 2024
FOOD SPONSOR 2024
2024 SPONSORS
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
