On October 13 afternoon, anyone entering the 1010 West event space would have heard six different languages as nearly 4 dozen Central Florida residents gathered around tables speaking Arabic, Cantonese, Creole, English, Russian and Spanish. They were discussing our diverse community and ways that we could improve the lives of area residents.
The results of these TableTalk discussion were forwarded to the Central Florida Foundation. FusionFest was provided with a grant from Heintzelman Employee Club Fund at Central Florida Foundation to hold these forums, in order that the Foundation might hear from “the people” of Central Florida and respond to good ideas with possible funding.
The TableTalk – Community Series provided funds to more than a dozen nonprofit organizations to host similar conversations on improving the place we call home – Central Florida.
FusionFest is a nonprofit organization initiated as a project of the Orange County Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs that seeks to celebrate the awesome individuals and organizations in our diverse community, building connections based on respect and inclusion. Its signature event is a free multi-cultural festival Thanksgiving weekend in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, but hosts other events throughout the year to explore the cuisines and stories of the heritages behind diverse Central Floridians and to drive innovation through fusion contests and cross-cultural experiences.
For Information: Terry Olson, 407-279-1846,
[email protected], www.FusionFest.org
