Tara Wilhelmi, founder of EOTO Culturally Rooted | Facebook
Tara Wilhelmi, founder of EOTO Culturally Rooted | Facebook
Over the summer of 2021, hosting summer fun in communities of color became a highlight in the City of Madison in an effort to bring community members closer together.
Two organizations, EOTO Culturally Rooted and Seein’ is Believin’, worked together to create BYAYA nights, or Black Youth and Young Adults, as a community space in Madison parks throughout the summer.
"This evening's BYAYA! (Black Youth and Young Adults) Teen Night event will be a collaboration with Will Green and Mentoring Positives at the Annual Darbo Block Party, Worthington Park," tweeted Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway on Aug. 28 to bring awareness to the event.
The idea was started by Tara Wilhelmi who wanted to include and reconnect with small pocket communities across Madison and connect with kids and youth early on. Her ambition to bring the community together can be attributed to how her community served her during her own childhood.
“I was one of those kids who was out of the house at 15 and my friend’s parents were there for me,” Wilhelmi told Madison 365.
So far, there have been five events throughout July and August, that include live music, DJs, food, family activities, sports and community resource information all aimed at kids ages 14-17.
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