Events
3rd Annual Brunch Fundraiser
Join friends of R.A.C.E. Matters for a beautiful brunch event that supports our work in the community. Ticket includes delicious brunch bites with vegan options, mimosa bar, signature mocktail, coffee, and tea. We'll have exciting opportunities for support including our silent auction and raffle. Post brunch, join us steps away at the historic Fremont Theater for R.A.C.E. Matter's free short film program in partnership with SLO Film Fest. Enjoy free parking in downtown structures all day. TICKETS
RM x SLO Film Fest: SPACE
Our 4th annual short film program presented with San Luis Obispo International Film Festival FREE!
Make space, hold space, take up space and even that space between your front teeth. Space can be a noun or a verb, infinite or confined, real or imaginary. Featuring five short films: Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games, Essex Girls, GAPS, In Wonderland, and Nai Nai and Wai Po. Run time 75 minutes with discussion to follow. Free event. Learn more about the films and get tickets here.
Shop Talk: Wednesday Session
R.A.C.E. Matters, in collaboration with Mindful Heart Counseling Center, presents a 6-week, therapist-led series centered on healing for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color. 90 minute sessions. Sliding scale pricing from $10-40 per session. Contact alisa@mindfulheartcounselingcenter.com
Shop Talk: Saturday Morning Session
A 6 week long, culturally responsive, therapist-led session centered on Black wellness. Connect with community in a space for you. Facilitated by Claudia Vandermolen, LCSW. 60-90 minute sessions. Max group size of 6. Sliding scale pricing $10-$30 per session. Contact ckvandermolen1@gmail.com.
Fifth Annual STORIES MATTER
Personal and historical stories, song, and spoken word about making, holding and transforming space— whether noun or verb, infinite or confined, real or imaginary. Seeking tellers and performers for this LIVE SHOW.
Creating Community
Join us for a FREE poster making art workshop with acclaimed artist and climate activist Favianna Rodriguez. Event includes free lunch, art workshop, climate justice resource fair, and raffle prizes for attendees. A community drum circle led by artist Tracy Morgan will close the event. Limited space. Sign up here.
Shop Talk Monthly Meet-Up
Frist Tuesdays at Texture. A monthly, therapist-led drop-in group centered on Black wellness. Drop-in to meet and connect with your community! We are here.
Embracing Texture: Managing Your Mane
In this two hour workshop we will learn what products, tools and accessories work on our hair type. After learning our own hairs porosity and needs, we will select the best process and products to meet our hair goals. Not to mention, meet your community! Refreshments provided. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Learn hair typing based on texture, porosity, chemical treatment or medical needs
Practice healthy styling and routine maintenance.
Caregivers have the option to practice on their youth or a natural-haired mannequin.
Shop Talk: Monthly Meet-Up Centered on Black Wellness
Shop talk is a monthly, therapist-led meet-up centered on Black wellness and healing. Join us for our kick off! Connect, unwind, renew, gain mental health resources, and learn about more intimate break out offerings. Our upcoming event is the Shop Talk Meet-Up on March 5th at Texture: 474 Marsh Street at 6pm. Refreshments provided, registration required. Sign up here.
Beat Party
Please join R.A.C.E. Matters and RaiseUp SLO in a community drum circle as we celebrate Black History Month through the beat of youth voices. Beat Party aims at empowering youth of color as well as honoring the legacy and importance of youth involvement in Black history. Bring your family and tell a friend! The inclusive drumming program for ages 10 and up is led by musician and educator Tracy Morgan. Black History Month storytelling and trivia (WITH PRIZES!) is led by RaiseUp SLO founder, Julie Lynem .REQUIRED EVENT REGISTRATION: Please complete our one minute event registration at the link here.
Beehive The 60s Musical Special Preview
Beehive The 60s Musical - Special Preview Performance
Thanks to our friends at SLO Rep, we’re proud to present a special preview performance of Beehive-The 60’s Musical in support of R.A.C.E. Matters, where we’ll have a concession stand with wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks for sale, plus a raffle! Beehive The ‘60s Musical will have you dancing in the aisles! Buy tickets today.
Tis the Santa Season
Santa's Back! Enjoy milk, cookies, story-time, and FREE photo-ops with Santa by Michelle Ann Photography. This year, Santa visits our Texture salon and multiuse space and our Black owned gift shop will be open for your shopping needs!
Plan Ahead: Photos will be scheduled in 10 minute blocks. Please email photosbymichelleann@gmail.com to reserve your time! Walks up welcome as time allows.
This ticketless event is open to the public - please register here so we have an approximate headcount. Thank you!
Braiding Water: Closing Celebration in collaboration with Diversity Coalition - Outdoors
Braiding Water Closing Celebration at SeaCrest Ocean Front Hotel (outdoors) in collaboration with Diversity Coalition. Join us for the Closing Celebration of Braiding Water, an enriching and festive event celebrating the beauty of water and its significance in our lives. Drum circle, moderated discussion, complimentary wine tastings, appetizers, music and connection. Learn more and register here.
4th annual Stories Matter in collaboration with The Reboot Storytelling ReImagined
Bang the Drum Brewery, 7-9 pm, Doors at 6:00 pm. In its fourth year, Stories Matter is a live storytelling showcase featuring Central Coast community members & visiting artists. Enjoy true, personal stories about changing tides, navigating uncharted seas, going with the flow, making waves, getting swept away, and braving the current. Purchase tickets here.
Creeks to Coast Cleanup with ECO SLO & Central Coast Aquarium, followed by beach Yoga class.
Avila Beach: Beach clean up with ECO SLO & Central Coast Aquarium. We'll be lending hands at the Avila Beach location, and then at 12:30 we'll enjoy yoga on the beach with local instructor Smita Ganpule. Sign up for yoga here. 
FREE Screening of documentary Wade in the Water, a Journey into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture
FREE Screening of documentary Wade in the Water, a Journey into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture plus a "pre-party" at Baby Dudes at 5:30. Tickets here. Q&A with Director, Producer, and local surf legend Tony Corley. More details to come! 
Caprisha Daniels at Texture | Sept 15–17
Traveling Natural Hair Stylist, Loctician and Trichologist Caprisha Daniels will be at Texture August 18th-20th and September 15-17th. Though she offers a range of protective styles like braids and weaves, you can also see her for styles like wash’n go, wash’n set, and silk press.
Caprisha has over 10 years experience, is the owner of Loving Your Natural Self, and author of “I WANT LOCS NOW WHAT!? A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO HELP YOU DECIDE: The Natural Hair Version”
Opening Ceremony at SLO Swim Center
Opening Ceremony at SLO Swim Center featuring art installations, live music, Wicked Garden food truck, and honoring water-based rituals of local community members. This event is free, please register here. 
BIPOC BUSINESS: The Journey & Rewards
Join us August 29th at the SeaCrest Ocean Front Hotel for BIPOC Business: The Journey & Rewards! This town hall style event will feature local BIPOC business owners, and is an opportunity to encourage, foster and build regional economic development. Light refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there! Learn more and register at BIPOC Business: The Journey and Rewards | SCORE.
Lifeguard Station Mural Reveal at The Bunker SLO
Lifeguard Station Mural Reveal at The Bunker SLO
Enjoy our mural reveal, music by BoogieBike SoundSystem, vendors, and learn about Braiding Water! You’ll see it first. . . a repurposed lifeguard station featuring a commissioned mural by Charlie Rugg. This booth is an activity hub for the Braiding Water festival.
Caprisha Daniels at Texture | Aug 18–20
Traveling Natural Hair Stylist, Loctician and Trichologist Caprisha Daniels will be at Texture August 18th-20th and September 15-17th. Though she offers a range of protective styles like braids and weaves, you can also see her for styles like wash’n go, wash’n set, and silk press.
Caprisha has over 10 years experience, is the owner of Loving Your Natural Self, and author of “I WANT LOCS NOW WHAT!? A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO HELP YOU DECIDE: The Natural Hair Version”
“My Earth Is…” Art Exhibition
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Textures of Love
Love can be prickly, smooth or burning with desire. It can be between lovers, family, friends or ancestors. The possible textures of love are infinite. R.A.C.E. Matters has curated a free program of five contemporary short films that will evoke the experience of feeling the different textures of love. Prior to Textures of Love, join R.A.C.E. Matters at Saints Barrel for a brunch mixer with appetizers, bubbles, and exciting updates. Purchase brunch tickets at racemattersslo.org
R.A.C.E MATTERS BRUNCH
SAINT’S BARREL – 10:30AM
1021 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Purchase brunch tickets at racemattersslo.org
The film screening is free to the public, please register below
Content Warning: Mature Themes
Textures of Love, Brunch!
You’re invited to an exciting brunch mixer in support of R.A.C.E. MATTERS where you’ll hear the latest about Texture -- our new community space and salon!
Ticket includes brunch inspired appetizers, mimosa bar, coffee, & tea.
Afterwards, join us across the street at the historic Fremont theater for TEXTURES OF LOVE, our FREE program of short films at SLO Film Fest.
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham “An Untitled Love”
An Untitled Love is Abraham’s new evening-length work. Drawing from the catalogue of Grammy Award-winning R&B legend D’Angelo, this creative exaltation pays homage to the complexities of self love and Black love, while serving as a thumping mixtape celebrating our culture, family and community.
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