In Case You Missed Us…
While your inbox may have been quiet, that’s only because we’ve been busy outside…on the ground, in the community, and fully present where it matters most. From planning events and DJing to managing digital platforms and showing up for our people, it’s been a season full of motion and meaning.
I appreciate y’all giving us grace because being a one-woman show can be quite tricky at times but I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
If you want to keep up with us in real time, be sure to follow along on Instagram and check the community calendar for upcoming events and programs. We’re getting better at staying consistent with emails too—so thank you for riding with us as we grow.
Now, here’s what we’ve been up to from mid-February to early March—because trust, the vibes have been high.
Obodo Green Grocer Grand Opening
Five years in the making, and on February 28th, it finally happened. The Obodo Green Grocer officially opened its doors! I had the honor of setting the tone with the music, and when I tell you the community showed up and showed out! The line wrapped around the block, full of folks eager to support and celebrate this monumental moment for the Historic Westside. If you haven’t stopped by yet, do yourself a favor and visit Wednesday-Saturday, 9 AM - 2 PM, for the freshest produce and ready-to-eat items. They accept SNAP, cash, and all major cards, and for those who love an interactive experience, you can even harvest your own produce straight from the urban farm
Love On Jackson
Nothing brings people together like a good block party, and the City of Las Vegas’ annual Love on Jackson was exactly that. We popped up with a booth to debut our Westside with Love hats and clear out our last few t-shirts. Y’all showed up, supported, and made sure we left with less inventory than we came with! And because we can never just sell—DJ Tee Wheeze hit the decks to bring the block party vibes right to our booth.
Check out this little cameo:
BVC Block Party
Listen… a time was had. Major love to the Black Vintage Collective for trusting DJ Tee Wheeze to curate the soundtrack for a day full of culture, connection, and joy. The event was packed with line-dancing, poetry, top-tier vendors, amazing food, games, and drinks. When I say the energy was electric? It was electric.
Historic Passages
For Black History Month, we teamed up with Nevada State University to create a powerful day of storytelling, history, and community connection. Students spent the day exploring key landmarks of the Historic Westside to deepen their understanding of this Black community’s legacy. Stops included The Harrison House, The Historic Westside School, The Obodo Urban Farm, the Moulin Rouge site (and the boneyard to see its sign!), Thirty Three Gallery and lunch with the elders at The West Las Vegas Arts Center. We also made sure each student, staff member, and elder had a commemorative shirt designed in collaboration with our lead apparel designer, Jalen Jones—so they could carry a piece of the experience with them.
The RENT Party
We kicked off our newest community initiative, The RENT Party, in early March, and let me tell you—it was everything. Our first honoree was Queendom Cultivation, and with the help of Roz, we transformed their event space into a 90s-aunty-style living room that felt like home. DJ Tee Wheeze held it down on the 1s & 2s, Portia Michele conducted live interviews, and Parchelle ensured the livestream went off without a hitch. We had amazing vendors, line-dancing with Teresa, incredible food by The Edible Bunch, live art, a performance by YSK, raffles, and a room full of an overwhelming amount of love. It was truly one for the books. And the best part? We surpassed our fundraising goal to keep Queendom thriving.
This initiative is here to stay—we’re wrapping our arms around Black-owned businesses and keeping the community circulating its support. Stay tuned for the next one!
In the meantime, check out the live stream:
To Wrap It All Up
So yeah… we may have been quiet in your inbox, but outside? Busy doesn’t even begin to describe it. Every event, every hug, every dance, and every laugh was a reminder of why we do this. February and March were a whirlwind, and April is shaping up to be the same.
Thank you for every bit of love and support. We see you, we feel you, and we appreciate you. Looking forward to hugging y’all, laughing more, and making sure the vibrations stay high.
With love,
Tee-Azha aka Tee Wheeze
Poetic Neighbor Founder & Curator
