Frequently Asked Questions
"All great achievements require time."- Maya Angelou
Do I need to become a member to enjoy the activities of Brooklyn WATE?
No. You can register for our workshops and purchase tickets for any Brooklyn WATE events at any time. However, membership has its privileges. Brooklyn WATE members have access to discounts, rewards, and most importantly, the Brooklyn WATE community.
How do I become a member of Brooklyn WATE?
Are there any events designed for children?
2020 stunted our efforts in delivery, but our community’s children have been kept in mind. Brooklyn WATE Kids (BWK) is coming soon. We are working on it. Stay tuned!
How can I volunteer with Brooklyn WATE?
You are always welcome to donate your time, however you will need to join our community, if you haven't done so, click here, and a volunteer questionnaire will be required. When volunteer opportunities become available, they will be posted.
How Can I partner with Brooklyn WATE?
We are always looking for ways to build relationships. Click here for more information.
How can I donate to Brooklyn WATE?
Thank you so much for considering donating to our programming. As a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization, your generous donation is tax deductible. Click here to Donate.
What are the Black Women "Do" Series
Our Black Women "Do" Series is a commitment to have Black Women experience different avenues of learning and exposure to different life skills.
Are the Black Women "Do" Series
Free?
Within our Black Women "Do" Series, those that require external facilities and instructors are paid trainings. Those that Brooklyn WATE can financially supplement will be free. However, free trainings may have fees associated with buying materials to participate.
What is the Big Hat Fundraising Event?
The Big Hat Fundraising Event is constructed to affect, shift, and motivate women to be their greatest self. It is a social gathering that is more than an opportunity for women to come together and break bread, but a juncture that incorporates an awards ceremony. The event serves to showcase the beauty, and resilience of women of color while lifting our community leaders who have dedicated their time and services to community growth. Our event also invites female entrepreneurs to present their products and services to a room of women who come from all walks of life and who appreciate the quality vendors.
The Big Hat Fundraising Event also delivers a safe space for Women of Color to communicate and meet others who are also in alignment with the goals of empowering communities of color. The event is all of these things and a wonderful excuse to wear beautiful attire adorned with hats and accessories. Our goal is to continue delivering programming that brings community leaders and innovators together by honoring them and making their work visible to the surrounding communities.
What is the dress attire for the Big Hat Fundraising Event?
We welcome color or print when attending the Big Hat FundraisingEvent. Color is in style and we can’t get enough of it, however we are seeking a bit of elegance -- think conservative with a trendy twist. Women should think “dressy casual” and take the venue into consideration. Men should compliment by wearing chic attire with a brim accessory. Need some more help? Visit our blog for some ideas.
Why is the Big Hat Fundraising Event Important?
The goal of this event is to raise funds for our Black Women Do Initiatives which support fellowship, mental health wellness, and skill building. We are a small non-profit that relies on this event and donations to provide free and low costing resources and opportunities for continued skill building that we can then attempt to supplement. We believe that there must be an equal exchange of value. As a service based not for profit, our programming is the cornerstone of our financial management strategy. Our programming is designed to provide value to the communities we serve, and support black owned businesses.
I purchased my ticket for the Big Hat Fundraising Event, but now I am unable to attend.
If you purchased a ticket and are unable to attend the event, considerations will be made on a case by case basis to provide you with either a full or partial refund. Please send an email to info@brooklynwate.org
Are men allowed to attend the Big Hat Event?
YES ! YES ! YES! As we have learned from the pandemic that life is short, this event now welcomes the men to come and lift and celebrate our women leaders and participants. We love our Allies. We are carefully and currently curating this event to create a space for women to be authentically connected while welcoming men to join us. Tickets go on sale for the event on Jan 1st, 2023. Big Hat Event
How old should you be to attend?
The Big Hat Event has had attendees as young as 13 years of age, however please be advised that some content and discussion material may not be suitable for younger audiences. We ask that you use your discretion.
How can I become a vendor at this year’s event?
Thank you for considering Vendorship with Brooklyn WATE. There are limited vending-spots for the Big Hat Event. We'll be posting the "Open Call for Vendors" and applications will be posted January 2023.
*(Psst, male vendors are welcomed!)
How Can I Advertise with Brooklyn WATE?
Advertisements at this time are restricted to our Big Hat Event giveaway booklets. If you would like your brand or company advertised, please send an email to BrooklynWATE. There are fees associated with advertising for this event.
How old do you need to be to participate in the Black Women Shoot Event?
Our cut off for participants to the Black Women Shoot event is 15 years old, and they MUST be accompanied by a Parent or Adult Guardian.
Can we bring our own firearms to the Black Women Shoot Event?
No. Please leave personal firearms and ammunition at home. You will not be able to use them or the ammunition in the firearms we will be using for training.
Are Men allowed to attend Black Women Shoot?
At this time, no. This is a ladies "bonding" event. Normally, our events cater to the ladies, but we are in the process of curating a co-ed male welcoming shooting event within the Black Women Shoot Event.
I purchased a ticket to Black Women Shoot, but now I can't attend.
For this event we do not offer refunds, because we have to make arrangements upfront, however you will be moved to the next available Black Women Shoot roster.
Why are there limited tickets to the Black Women shoot Event?
Since the pandemic, there have been restrictions put in place to limit the number of people on the grounds to ensure that there is adequate social distancing accommodations. The number of tickets are based on availability of services, firearm educators and facilities that will accommodate us.
What is Black Women Cook?
Black Women Cook is our version of your favorite cooking show where you are the star chef. Participants will get to prep and cook the same recipes with one another in an online meeting environment. This is a free event, however, we are asking supporters of this event to donate so that we can keep this event at a minimal cost or free. If you're interested, please click and take the survey and let us know which foods peak your interest.
Can men attend any of the "Black Women Do" programming?
While our goal is to encourage & enhance the skill sets of Women of Color, we will never turn away any man who chooses to support our efforts by attending or leading the way to a new perspective.
Is Brooklyn WATE only for Black & Brown People?
Brooklyn WATE was designed to be a space for Women of Color to be encouraged and nurtured through fellowship, skill building, and a commitment to community service. We welcome all women to support these efforts understanding that spaces like these exist in our communities far less with less resources as those found within our non-Black counterparts. We will never turn away any women who chooses to support our efforts by attending, leading the way to a new perspective, or by helping us continue to build and develop this space. All are welcome.
What is the Open Closet?
The Open Closet is both a collection and a distribution drive that happens seasonally. During the collection period we collect gently used and source partners to donate new clothing and accessories for men, women and children. During our distribution period, we create a shopping experience for the community. Everyone has the opportunity to shop through all we collected both gently used and brand new for absolutely FREE. Each season we attempt to get attire fit for the weather.
How can I become a sponsor for the Big Hat Fundraising Event?
Thank you so much for considering sponsorship. There are different levels of in-kind or financial commitment you can choose from. Click here for more information.
How does Brooklyn WATE fund & sustain its programming throughout the year?
We believe that there must be an equal exchange of value. As a service based not for profit, our programming is the cornerstone of our financial management strategy. Our programming is designed to provide value to the communities we serve, and support black owned businesses.
In fact, 30% of every dollar that you spend with BrooklynWATE is reinvested into its programming. This is why we ask for donations and why it's essential that seek out companies and other organizations that will support our overhead costs, technology needs and event space requirements.
Brooklyn WATE’s programming addresses the structural issues of Food Insecurities, Gun Violence, Healthcare Inequalities that plague communities of color.
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Food insecurities - we provide meals to community members that experienced food insecurities through our Black Women Cook Initiative
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Gun Violence- We provide opportunities for gun education to women. We believe that educated mothers can combat the gun violence within our communities. We do this through our Black Women Shoot Initiative
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Healthcare Access & Health Education Inequity - we provide community and programming that addresses the Health Inequalities Within our communities.This is done through our Black Women Teach, Black Women Workout, Black Women Cook, and We Gather to Gab Initiatives which tackles the taboo conversations of mental health.
What is the Open Closet?
What Makes the Open Closet different from other clothing drives?
The difference in a a Brookyn WATE Open Closet event will be apparent in the level of detail we place into sorting the clothing into categories so that we can , in a collective effort, create a department store vibe. There will be a children’s section, a toy section, a mens section for example.
*Normally Brooklyn WATE Open Closet events (not an installment effort or mini closet), comes fully equipped with our signature Brooklyn WATE DJ ( DJ KDawg) who usually gives us our department store music and helps us create a soulful shopping experience for all.
How can I donate clothing to the Open Closet Event?
We appreciate you considering to donate your gently used clothing. As a small non-profit, and in order to manage the amounts of clothing we receive, we schedule an "Open Closet: Collection Drive." In this event, we might list a few days where clothing may be dropped off, or if we receive extra personnel support might even schedule pick-ups from senior donators, most often. Information about this event is posted on our social media (Instagram or Facebook) or right here on our website so look out for updates.
What other ways can organizations or individuals support the Open Closet event?
We appreciate the diverse forms of support we receive from various organizations and individuals, each contribution making a meaningful impact. As a small non-profit, our Open Closet event necessitates financial assistance for tasks such as renting moving equipment to facilitate the transportation of donated and new clothing between venues. Funding is also vital for securing event facilities when free options are unavailable, and for covering administrative fees to maintain minimal operating costs.
Support extends beyond financial contributions to the valuable gift of time. Volunteers play a crucial role in sorting, moving, and folding clothing, as well as collecting donated items from receiving facilities. Additionally, we are grateful for non-monetary contributions in the form of donated resources, including technology maintenance, marketing assistance for the event, and the printing and distribution of flyers. Collaborating on advertising efforts in spaces where our presence is still growing is another form of support we deeply appreciate.
Partnership is also a welcomed show of support. We value collaborations that strengthen our mission and reach. Every contribution, regardless of size, holds significance for us. We are sincerely thankful for the generosity and assistance that allows us to continue our mission in making sure that everyone has access to clothing and accesories. If you are an organization and seek partnership please click here.