2007: Mariachi Oklahoma City Festival

Objective:

To promote diversity and inclusion The Junior League of Oklahoma City sought an opportunity for individuals of all ages and ethnicities to share in a multicultural exchange, and to reach out to the greater Latino community in Oklahoma City.

Strategy:

JLOC partnered with the Latino Community Development Agency (LCDA) to present the Inaugural Mariachi Oklahoma City Festival conceived as an annual event to preserve Latino culture through education and the showcasing of talent. A diverse board was established by the JLOC to plan and implement the event with members recruited from the Chamber of Commerce, government and Latino business leaders. The festival included educational workshops on Mariachi music, a patron party, an art exhibit, dance performances by local groups and how to implement educational programs in schools as well as several concerts in the downtown area.

Results:

The concerts and dance performances exceeded attendance expectations and the community responded enthusiastically to this inaugural event. Total attendance was more than twice the League’s original projections for the week-long event. The workshops were filled to capacity and plans were agreed upon for more events in the future.

Evaluation:

In fact, the community responded enthusiastically to this inaugural event and more than doubled the League’s projected attendance goals for the week-long event.

Impact:

This dynamic and ambitious project was the impetus for an enduring collaboration and it deepened relationships through the process.