On the surface, it’s a Barbecue.

Rule number one is that every attendee must wear a Hooded Sweatshirt at Hoodie Season. Yet, this simple act drives home the message of the strength in numbers behind a common purpose of community uplift of the next generation. Transplants, those that have relocated to DC for professional endeavors, have a genuine opportunity to connect, develop roots, and share resources with long term residents of the city for collective uplift. Tickets sold defray operational expenses, and the remaining funds are donated to two DC based 501(c)(3) Tax exempt organizations that work directly with and mentor the youth of the city: The Hustler’s Guild and DC Wise1.

However, the non-profit organizations are active partners recruiting volunteers during the event and organizing clothing drives. This has grown into a cultural festival where event attendees are treated like cousins instead of customers. The chilly Fall weather is the secret ingredient: with fire pits arranged throughout the venue, new relationships and bonds are effortless formed formed over the natural draw to the warming embers. Event attendees have the opportunity to patronize small business vendors, supporting the local economy, and to discover the storytellers of the new era, Podcasters and Artists, who willingly share and display their work.

Instead of marketing and labeling this event by the typical monikers of “5th Annual” or “2022 Hoodie Season” each rendition is intentionally denoted by a Volume. Saturday, November 2, 2024 will mark Volume Eight, as we strategically work to lift our community one level higher.