The iWitness: IPC Institute for Visual Journalism at FIU hosted its third lunch break of the fall semester this past Friday with a celebration of gratitude, giving back, and sharing hope.
Hosted the third Friday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the events present speaker series, music, and food at Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus. These events seek to bridge connections between the university and the broader community.
“We want to activate BBC to bring together students, faculty, staff and the community for an inspiring event,” said Dr. Rebecca Friedman, Research Director of iWitness and co-curator of the program.
This month’s event was themed around “Thanks. Giving. Hope.” It aimed to inspire the community to find gratitude and light, even during uncertain times.
“After this past election, a lot of people feel a sense of hope lost, but we must realize that democracy is a continuum, not an end,” said Miami Herald photojournalist Carl Juste, who directs iWitness with Friedman. “By re-examining the best of who we are, we can offer our best to share.”
Local DJ Mack Bazile set the tone for the event with a playlist curated for the occasion, and live programming began soon after with a performance by students from Florida Grand Opera’s CANTO program. The group performed compositions resonating with a theme of thankfulness.
Following their performance, Friedman engaged in conversation with Cayetano Nowek, a 16-year-old high school junior with a passion for giving back through non-profit service and social impact. Nowek discussed the projects he has facilitated over the past three years working with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), a nonprofit organization aimed at helping disadvantaged and vulnerable children in the Caribbean, South and Central America.
Nowek also shared stories from his latest project, installing solar panels in schools and orphanages in the Dominican Republic.
“We must remember how blessed we are to help students who don’t have the same resources.” Nowek said. “Anybody can do this and the more we do, the more we get involved, the more we can help.”
Culminating the event was a performance encapsulating hope by Floating Woman, a musical duo who performed a series of pieces that included folk music and bossa nova. After the performance, Haitian food was served to about 20 people. The iWitness lunch break series will return on January 17, 2025, with a special event titled “The Soul of Freedom.” The program will feature a conversation with David Lawrence, former publisher of the Miami Herald and founder of the Children’s Trust, and a live performance by the Michelle Grant-Murray Dance Company.
