A virtual holiday kick-off kept Zoom participants from New Haven and beyond out of the Covid funk with a discussion of local wellness resources and a Zoom dance party.
In place of an originally planned virtual cooking class with Miami chef Tiara Lacosta, the fitness and wellness nonprofit The Green Peacock Corporation hosted a Zoom gathering to highlight local Black-owned businesses instead. (The Sunday cooking lesson was postponed due to Lacosta losing power the day after a Miami storm.)
The Zoom call flowed to the beat of DJ Platinum’s “Sunday feel good music.”
The Green Peacock founder Chaila Gilliams hosted the gathering to push attendees to support small businesses and nonprofits and to “buy Black.” Twenty-five participants attended the virtual ranging from New Haven to Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.
The Green Peacock was founded by Gilliams in 2019 to shed light on the need for community programs revolving around physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. The name is made of up two symbolizes — the green meaning health and nutrition and a peacock meaning Black and Carribbean heritage.
Participants sent in music requests during dance breaks in the chat to groove to old jams and let loose.
Founder of Rhythm Brewing Co. Alisa Bowens-Mercado taught attendees how to make a beer-mosa with her original Red Unfiltered Lager and Blue Unfiltered Light Lager.
Bowens-Mercado created her brand two years ago. She is the first Black woman brewer in the state.
The brewmaster gave a quick mixing lesson with a twist on the traditional mimosa. Bowens-Mercado used one-third champagne, orange juice, and rhythm red to make a beer-mosa. Attendees tapped their home beverages on their screens to cheers along with Bowens-Mercado.
Bowens-Mercado also made a “Rythm bubble mosa” with 1/3rd champagne and rhythm blue. She described the taste as a light tickle to the pallet.
Reggae beats started up during each speaker intermission by DJ Platinum and attendees got on their feet to dance along.
Co-founder of Love Fed New Haven Raven Blake also presented during gathering to shed light on the organization’s home farm installation campaign. This year Blake said the organization has installed over 50 gardens so far. “We’re helping the community to take agency over food and health,” they said.
Visual Artist and entrepreneurs Hector Velazquez, owner of I Am Living Proof Designs LLC, and Edmund Comfort founder of B*wak Productions also shared information about their design business’ and services offered in New Haven.
After highlighting local Black-owned businesses Gilliams reminded participants to “live fit and enjoy health” and the group continued the dance party for the last half hour of the call.
