Nonprofit OPEN Foundation to hold annual dinner focused on LGBTQ+ workforce support

OPEN Foundation, a Madison-based nonprofit dedicated to career readiness and workforce development for the LGBTQ+ community, in a recent press release announced its upcoming “Celebration of Community Annual Dinner.” The event will be held at Monona Terrace on Wednesday, Oct. 18, and will be a night of empowerment, unity, and inclusivity. It will take place from 5–9 p.m.

For this year’s annual dinner, OPEN Foundation will focus its efforts on service, equity, and belonging, along with intentionality and intersectionality for LGBTQ+ individuals. The event aims to raise vital resources to support career readiness, workforce development, and economic mobility within the LGBTQ+ community.

The event will feature Afra Smith and Ziggy Odogun, both figures recognized for their work for marginalized communities. DJ Femme Noir, aka Tempestt Ballenger, will play mixes of mainstream and underground music. The night’s host will be Bianca Lynn Breeze, “Wisconsin’s premier drag queen bingo hostess” and an event producer with over a decade of experience in entertaining and educating diverse audiences.

Tickets are available online, and sponsorship opportunities are available.