May 11, 2026 Rainbow Housing (Bigby Villa) hosted their first annual women’s empowerment luncheon for resident. I was asked to be the keynote speaker and my topic was women are the heart of the family. Mental health practitioners, health and wellness, massage , instructions on how to sign up for free and subsidize childcare was available. Community work is rewarding and life changing for the advocate and the residents.
#anotherlevelpersonaltrainingacademy
#rainbowhousing
#empoweringwomen
#outwardmobility
#FresnoDRIVE
�Wednesdays on the West (WOTW) is a monthly community event held on the last Wednesday of every month in Southwest Fresno. This initiative provides a safe, resource-rich, and engaging space for students and residents of the 93706, one of Fresno’s most underserved and under-engaged communities.
WOTW is intentionally designed to go beyond gathering; it serves as a platform for economic and entrepreneurial empowerment, creating real pathways for residents to explore, launch, and grow their own ventures. Through vendor opportunities, hands-on workshops, and direct access to resources, participants are not only exposed to possibilities but are actively supported in taking the next steps toward permitted, sustainable businesses.
By removing common barriers such as lack of access to information, capital, mentorship, and permitting guidance. WOTW fosters an environment where growth is practical, attainable, and community-driven. The initiative emphasizes applied learning and real-world training, allowing participants to build skills in real time, test ideas, and gain confidence through experience.
In partnership with local organizations, WOTW also integrates health, wellness, fitness, and cultural expression, ensuring a holistic approach to community development. This includes opportunities for movement, cultural dance, and wellness education, reinforcing that economic growth and personal well-being go hand in hand.
Ultimately, Wednesdays on the West is not just an event it is a community activation model that cultivates leadership, restores access, and builds a stronger, self-sustaining local economy from within💯
#communityactivation
WOTW JUST GOT BETTER ‼️
@ahh.line.dance.fresno WILL BE JOINING US EVERY LAST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH ON THE WEST SO GET YOUR BOOTS AND FANS READY 👢🪭
COMMUNITY, DANCING, GAMES, MUSIC, AND VENDORS FROM 5-8PM WE WANT YOU ALL TO JOIN US ON THE WEST ❤️🖤
🎥: @jpsalinthone
Wednesdays On The West Brings Community Together for Black History Month
Celebration
Art, music, food, wellness, and local vendors featured at monthly pop-up
Fresno, CA – Southwest Fresno POWER (Partnership for Opportunity, Wellness, Equity, and
Restoration) invites members of the media to attend and cover Wednesdays On The West,
happening tomorrow as a special Black History Month community celebration.
This event is made possible through the collaboration of community partners engaged with
Southwest Fresno POWER’s efforts to build safer, healthier, and more equitable
neighborhoods in West Fresno. While Southwest Fresno POWER connects a growing
network of locally-based organizations, it is supported by initiatives such as the Transforming
Communities Initiative (TCI), sponsored by Trinity Health and Saint Agnes Medical Center,
and a broad coalition of community groups that work together to provide resources,
opportunities, and culturally-relevant programming for residents. West Fresno Center, Fresno City College
600 E. Church Ave
Fresno, CA 93706
Key Event Highlights Include
• Art Exhibits
• DJs and Music
• Food
• Fashion Show
• Local Vendors
• Wellness Activities Including Yoga
• Live Performances
• Giveaways
• On-Site Story Collection
Media, photo, and interview opportunities:
Interviews with organizers, performers, vendors, and attendees, along with photo and video
opportunities, will be available on site.
Southwest Fresno POWER is a collaborative initiative dedicated to strengthening West
Fresno through partnerships, community-driven programming, and investments in
opportunity, wellness, equity, and restoration.
Black History is not just something we remember. It’s something we continue to build. ✊🏾
Wednesday, February 25th we’re celebrating Black History Month at Wednesdays on the West at the Fresno City College West Fresno Center from 5–8PM
We’ll be activating the space with:
🖤 Outdoor Black History Month Exhibit
🎤 Live Story Collection; documenting our lived experiences in real time
🎨 Art, culture, and community
Our stories matter. Our presence matters. Our community matters.
Pull up. Bring family. Bring friends. Be part of the history we’re continuing to create.
📍 West Fresno City College Campus
⏰ 5PM – 8PM
FREE & open to the community
Join Another Level Training Academy’s Traditional African Braiders Academy for ArtHop @ River Park as we present:
Hair as a Living Textile Substrate
This is more than an exhibit — it’s culture, history, resistance, geometry, memory, and artistry woven together. Hair is not a trend. It is archive. It is language. It is sovereignty.
When: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 5–8 PM
Location: The Art Groove Event Center #2
7890 N Via Del Rio, Fresno, CA 93720 (Next to Allure)
Come experience the installation, connect in conversation, and celebrate the brilliance of African braiding traditions across the diaspora.
Free. Intentional. Cultural.
#ALTAFresno #ArtHop #BlackHairIsArt #TraditionalBraiders FresnoEvents CulturalArchive
Come out and celebrate ALTA’s Braiders Academy and our Black Hair: A Visual Anthology exhibit! We’re bringing the community together for an evening of culture, conversation, and creativity.
Special Event: Hair Tutorial with ALTA Founder & CEO, Nia Hodge @niamarieg1
PLEASE NOTE:
The exhibit will be open to anyone and everyone but we will have limited spots available—only 20 spaces for a braiding tutorial! DM us or email [email protected] to reserve your spot.
The rest of the event is open to the public, so come through to view the exhibit, enjoy amazing food from Califresno @stevenson9707 , and connect with the community.
Artists featured:
🎨 Kambrya Bailey @_kambryabailey
🎨 Audia Yvonne Dixon @audi_audassity
🎨 Paige Mason @pmillustrations
🎨 Tyler Alcé @simplyavessel.co
🎨 Astro @astroartprojections
Creative Director: @nefesharuth
A huge thank you to our sponsors and supporters, including the City of Fresno’s Measure P Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Fund, administered by @fresnoartscouncil and @caltradarts
#BlackHairMatters #BraidsAndBeyond #ProtectiveStyles #BlackBeauty #FresnoBlackCommunity #ALTAFresno #BraidingAcademy #CulturalCelebration #CommunityGathering
We are proud to highlight Otis Reed (@iamotisreed ), the visionary filmmaker behind the documentary accompanying Black Hair: A Visual Anthology. Through his lens, Otis captures the stories, artistry, and cultural significance of Black hair, bringing to life the powerful narratives of this exhibit and the vision of our founder, Nia Hodge (@niamarieg1 ).
As a filmmaker dedicated to authentic storytelling, Otis’s work delves into themes of identity, heritage, and creative expression, documenting the lived experiences and artistry that shape our community. His documentary will premiere during our Opening Reception, offering an intimate look at the inspiration behind the exhibit and the impact of the Braiders Academy.
🎥 Special Presentation: Documentary Screening by Otis Reed
📅 Opening Reception: February 20, 2025 | 7 PM - 10 PM
📍 Location: 1611 E St., Fresno, CA 93706
This exhibit is a celebration of Black hair as art, history, and identity, featuring works from incredible artists:
🎨 Kambrya Bailey @_kambryabailey
🎨 Audia Yvonne Dixon @audi_audassity
🎨 Paige Mason @pmillustrations
🎨 Tyler Alcé @simplyavessel.co
🎨 Astro @astroartprojections | Creative Director: @nefesharuth
A huge thank you to our sponsors and supporters, including the City of Fresno’s Measure P Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Fund, administered by @fresnoartscouncil and @caltradarts .
📢 Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind experience! Tag a friend and join us as we celebrate Black artistry, culture, and storytelling.
#BlackHairVisualAnthology #FresnoArts #CelebrateCulture #SupportArtists #BlackHairMatters #NaturalHairJourney #BlackHairArt #ProtectiveStyles #NaturalHairLove #BlackHairExcellence #HairStory #FresnoEvents #BlackStoriesMatter #BlackOwnedBusiness #BlackCreatives #FresnoProud #BlackArtistry #BlackCultureCelebration #MeasureP #OtisReedFilms
We are honored to feature Tyler Alcé @simplyavessel.co an interdisciplinary artist whose work spans ceramics, printmaking, and curation. Born and raised in Fresno, Tyler is currently completing her senior year at California State University, Fresno, double majoring in Studio Art (with an emphasis in ceramics) and Africana Studies.
Tyler’s work is a powerful fusion of ceramics and screen-printing, designed to highlight the beauty, strength, and interconnectedness of Black womanhood. By integrating printed designs onto her ceramic pieces, she creates art that is both visually stunning and deeply informative, telling stories that honor Black heritage and identity. Through her practice, she seeks to educate, inspire, and cultivate spaces where Black people see themselves reflected, elevated, and celebrated.
🎨 Exhibit Dates: February 20 - February 28, 2025
📍 Location: 1611 E St., Fresno, CA 93706
✨ Opening Reception: February 20, 2025 | 7 PM - 10 PM
🔹 Special Presentation: A documentary screening by @iamotisreed , bringing founder Nia Hodge’s (@niamarieg1 ) vision to life!
This exhibit is more than just art—it’s a celebration of identity, storytelling, and community. Experience an inspiring lineup of talented artists, including:
🎨 Kambrya Bailey @_kambryabailey
🎨 Audia Yvonne Dixon @audi_audassity
🎨 Paige Mason @pmillustrations
🎨 Tyler Alcé @simplyavessel.co
🎨 Astro @astroartprojections | Creative Director: @nefesharuth
A special thank you to our sponsors and supporters, including the City of Fresno’s Measure P Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Fund, administered by @fresnoartscouncil and @caltradarts
#FresnoArts #CelebrateCulture #SupportArtists #BlackHairMatters #NaturalHairJourney #BlackHairArt #ProtectiveStyles #NaturalHairLove #BlackHairExcellence #HairStory #FresnoEvents #BlackStoriesMatter #BlackOwnedBusiness #BlackCreatives #FresnoProud #BlackArtistry
