The First Course:
For Dreamers & Do-ers
Black History Month 2026
In celebration of Black History Month, we hosted an intimate dinner honoring the emerging talent of color we've had the privilege of working with. In partnership with Dove and Lyft, the evening centered our attendees, capturing their legacies through portrait sessions, a curated video booth, and other personalized elements that made The First Course a night to remember.
Serving as both a milestone to commemorate our first year of partnership and a launchpad, we honored where our creators are and the impact they’re just beginning to make. This gathering was a reflection of the voices shaping what’s next.
Our guests walked in expecting a dinner and left having experienced something they never saw coming. In collaboration with Mai Nguyen of Held Here Co., we curated conversation cards that sparked real dialogue, mini zines that told each creator's story, and a gallery wall of our most memorable moments over the last year.
Our message was sealed when we asked the creators who took part in our program to look under their seat and surprised them each with a $100 creator grant to contribute to their journey through creativity.
Voices In Bloom
Summer 2025
As we launched First Pitch, we hosted a mixer welcoming our accelerator alumni for an afternoon of real-time connection with brand representatives, agency partners, and our broader community.
In partnership with Notion and Vista Print, we were able to curate an experience specifically designed with emerging talent in mind. From customized napkins, business cards, branded gift bags and vinyls for our First Pitch class wall, we set the tone for the continued advocacy and celebration of the voices that are shaping culture.
For many of our alumni, this was the first time they would meet each another in person and more than that, it was the first time they'd be in the same room as decision makers, brand representatives, and agency executives. This kind of access is a privilege that emerging talent of color are not often prioritized to receive, and we were committed to making sure it felt exactly as significant as it was.
With the creative direction of Mai Nguyen at Held Here Co., we were able to design vinyls to spotlight our talent, a manifestation corner for our guests to document their creator goals, and conversation cards that invited guests to slow down and be present.
