The Zay Project, a community-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and uplifting Black culture through impactful programs and initiatives, announces the return of its 2nd annual A Taste of Melanin. This series of engaging, educational and inspiring events and programs takes place throughout the entire month of February, aligning with Black History Month. A Taste of Melanin was launched in 2024 by Michael Jackson, president of The Zay Project and founder of Mya Kai Creative Agency, Phoenix’s only Black-owned full-service digital marketing agency dedicated to recreating brands’ images and building their future through its unique approach to design experiences that connect today’s brands to tomorrow’s culture. The event was designed to create inclusive spaces where people can learn about and acknowledge the profound influence of Black people on American culture. “Our goal is to showcase the rich history, art, music and traditions of Black culture and to help people gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of its many facets. We believe that by sharing these stories, we can create a more just and equitable world for all,” said Jackson. “We were blown away by the response, attendance and feedback after our inaugural series in 2024. We look forward to presenting an even bigger and better A Taste of Melanin this year with the introduction of added events and workshops.” The A Taste of Melanin 2025 event schedule is as follows: Silent Disco | 18+ Saturday, Feb. 1 ASU Art Museum Attendees will discover the transformative impact of Black culture on contemporary music and deepen their understanding of protest music. Miles & Melanin | All ages Sunday, Feb. 2 Tempe Town Lake The transformative power of movement and community takes center stage at Miles & Melanin, an event in collaboration with BLK AZ RUN CLUB. This celebration focuses on embracing healthy lifestyles through energizing workouts, engaging activities and more. Participants will explore the profound connection between fitness, wellness and unity, inspiring a journey toward holistic health and vitality. Hip-Hop Karaoke | 21+ Saturday, Feb. 8 Stadium Lounge The profound influence of the spoken word and poetry on the evolution of modern day hip-hop will be unveiled during this event. Participants are encouraged to embark on a captivating exploration of the interconnectedness between these expressive art forms in shaping the vibrant landscape of hip-hop today. Taste of Melanin Restaurant Week | All ages Monday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 16 Phoenix and Tucson For a full week, participating Black-owned restaurants throughout Phoenix and Tucson will pull out all the stops to showcase their finest representations of traditional cultural cuisine. Roller Bounce (Skate) | All ages Saturday, Feb. 15 Zoni Girls Roller Rink Much more than a pastime in the Black community, roller skating has long symbolized resistance and unity. Guests are invited to learn more about why roller skating runs deep in the Black community while they roll with pride, skate with joy and celebrate the beauty of Black history. This is Melanin | All Read more [...]
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Macayo’s Mexican Food Announces Opening of New Tempe Location in February
Macayo’s Mexican Food, the longtime traditional Mexican food brand with multiple locations around the valley, has announced it will open its new Tempe location in mid-February as the lease on its current location comes to a close. Located in the Cornerstone shopping center at 715 S. Rural Rd., this location is closer to the ASU Tempe Campus, making it even easier and more convenient for students and the community as a whole. “With more convenient entry and exit points and additional guest parking, our new ASU Tempe site makes it extremely easy for students to visit from campus and guests to visit from all over town,” said Lucas Farnham, CEO of Horizon Hospitality, the family-owned restaurant group that owns Macayo’s. “We are excited to open with not only an open floorplan where you can feel the energy from door to door but also introduce an intimate patio adjacent to campus, for guests to enjoy outdoor dining.” Victoria Dunham will serve as the general manager of Macayo’s ASU Tempe location. She began as a server for Macayo’s current Tempe location at opening in 2020. Along with experience in operations and marketing, she brings great enthusiasm and leadership to the new location. Dunham is eager to connect further with Arizona State University students and the growing Tempe community at the new location. Macayo’s has been immersed in the Tempe and Arizona State communities for many years. With incredible food, happy hour offerings, an excellent bar program and its famed guest service, Macayo’s intends to remain a Tempe favorite well into the future. Its new location will serve as a cornerstone of this effort. Macayo’s ASU Tempe is now hiring line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, bussers, bartenders, servers and hosts. Kicking off with a hiring fair with on-site interviews from Monday, Jan. 13 through Wednesday, Jan. 15. Macayo’s is interested in building a team of passionate, enthusiastic and dynamic teammates who thrive in high-paced situations. For more about this exciting new location, visit macayo.com/asu-tempe-new-location. For more about Macayo’s, visit macayo.com.