Thank You for an Incredible Coffee, Chocolate, and Culture Expo!

The 2nd Annual Coffee, Chocolate, and Culture Festival was an unforgettable celebration of Belizean heritage, and we at BRIDGE501 are deeply grateful to everyone who participated, visited, and supported this extraordinary event. Your presence and contributions made these three days truly special, and we are beyond honored to have shared this journey with you.

A heartfelt thank you to Mayor Pablo Cawich, Councilor Lawrence Tush, and Councilor Chris Enriquez for your unwavering support. Your leadership and presence amplified the cultural significance of this festival, strengthening the connection between our communities.

Special appreciation goes to the incredible cultural performers who brought Belizean traditions to life: Ms. Justina Cal, the talented Maya cultural performer; Juan Cajbon and the Belmopan Maya Cultural Group; Mr. Joshua Arana, the phenomenal Garifuna cultural drummer, singer, and dancer; and J-Lynn Arana, the remarkable Garifuna cultural dancer and drummer. Your artistry and passion kept our heritage alive and vibrant throughout the festival.

A massive thank you to our outstanding chocolatiers: Juan Cho and Ms. Abelina Cho, La Especial Chocolate of Belmopan, Mr. Martin Ack and Andrea Ack of Junajpu Chocolate. Your craft and dedication to Belizean chocolate-making were truly inspiring, offering festival-goers an authentic taste of our rich traditions.

Thank you, Just Be Victorious (JBV) Mr. Jarell Velasquez, for being an inspiration! Your journey in sports and now your transition into full-time entrepreneurship is truly commendable. We appreciate you for sharing your powerful and motivational message with the youth of Belize. Your dedication to perseverance, growth, and success serves as a shining example for the next generation. Keep inspiring and making a difference.

We are also incredibly grateful to Ms. Leisa Carr of Banana Fibers Belmopan for her invaluable advice, presence, and generous donations; Ms. Deb Arana for her guidance and for sharing her exceptional products; and Ms. Silvana Cerceau at MCC Supplies and her Belizean partner, Austin Waight, for showcasing their incredible toxic-free cleaning supplies.

A huge thank you to the City of Miramar and the Economic Development Team for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to ensuring this event was a success. Your efforts in facilitating every participant’s needs did not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for your support.

To Ms. Michelle Bowers and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB)—none of this would have been possible without your trust, love, and unwavering dedication to showcasing our beautiful country with absolute pride. Thank you for believing in the vision of BRIDGE501 and the concept of the Belize Village. We look forward to building an even stronger community together next year.

Beltraide for your contribution, a special thank you.

A special thank you to Ms. Barbara Reneau, whose unwavering dedication to the Belizean community ensured that we were all well-fed and cared for, especially on the days we needed it most. Your kindness and generosity made a world of difference.

To the Belizean Diaspora—your love for country and everything Belize is inspiring. Even through the rain, your passion and commitment shone brightly. We appreciate every single one of you who came out to celebrate and support our culture.

A huge thank you to KlimaxMore for curating such a successful event! Your dedication and effort truly made it a night to remember.

Another round of applause for the Latin Ensemble Band for yet another fantastic performance! Your music brought energy, joy, and an unforgettable vibe to the celebration.

Ms. Richard Moody, thank you for proudly representing Belize on stage and sharing our rich culture with Miramar. Your presence was invaluable in making this event even more meaningful.

Finally, to Mr. Calvin Neal—your dedication, hard work, and willingness to go above and beyond for every participant did not go unnoticed. From carrying bags and sandbags to being the best driver we all needed, we sincerely appreciate all that you did to make this event a success.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all for embracing the vision of BRIDGE501. We cannot wait to create an even greater community next year. Until then, let’s continue celebrating and uplifting Belizean culture together!

The BRIDGE501 Team