March 17, 2025 • 36 mins
🌈 How can nonprofits create lasting impact in the LGBTQ+ community? In this episode of Visual Eyes Podcast, we sit down with Diane Pappafotis from The Pride Center to explore how collaboration fuels change.
🏡 Key Topics Discussed:
✔ Affordable LGBTQ+ housing & senior support 🏡
✔ The importance of safe community spaces 🏳️🌈
✔ Women with Pride: A program empowering LGBTQ+ women 💜
✔ The power of nonprofit partnerships & overcoming competition 🔥
✔ How events like Wilton Women’s Week build visibility 🎉
Diane shares her personal journey into nonprofit leadership, why she believes collaboration is the key to success, and how The Pride Center is making South Florida more inclusive and connected.
🎧 Tune in now to be inspired by Diane’s work and learn how you can get involved!
🔗 Watch the full episode on YouTube: [INSERT YOUTUBE LINK]
🌍 Learn more about The Pride Center: PrideCenterFlorida.org
📢 Follow Visual Eyes Podcast: https://www.VisualEyesPodcast.com
🔹 #LGBTQ #Nonprofit #CommunityImpact #PrideCenter #WomenWithPride #SafeSpaces #Collaboration #Inclusion #LeadershipMatters #EqualityForAll
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Special Thanks to Stacy Daugherty for the beautiful wall artwork in the background. Socials: @artographybystacy
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Chris Baker (00:08):
Chris Baker, and each week we'll explore
incredible connections betweennonprofits, businesses and the
community.
This is a space where wehighlight inspiring partnerships
, uncover strategies forcreating meaningful impact and
share stories that show howworking together can make all
the difference.
Whether you're a nonprofitleader, a business owner or
(00:28):
someone just passionate aboutbuilding connections, this
podcast is for you.
Hello, and welcome back toVisual Eyes.
Today, we are welcoming to theshow Diane Pappafotis.
Did I say that right, right, youdid, I did yay, names can be a
little tricky sometimes, but I'mglad that I've, you know,
(00:48):
worked on it a little bit.
So and you are with the PrideCenter.
So what I would love tell me alittle bit about your journey
and what inspired you to joinand become involved with the
Pride Center.
Diane Pappafotis (00:59):
The amazing Pride Center.
Well, I actually was connectedto the Pride Center before I
moved to DC excuse me, florida.
I moved here four years ago andin my previous life I was
actually following the PrideCenter via social media.
I was stalking them and theywere building this amazing which
(01:20):
is now a 48 unit affordablehousing for the LGBTQ plus
community.
Chris Baker (01:25):
Oh my gosh, that's amazing.
Diane Pappafotis (01:26):
And I did some work in affordable housing in
my previous life, so I wasfollowing them on social media
as this amazing apartmentcomplex was being built, and so
I said that's an organizationthat I need to follow and I need
to stay connected to.
And so fast forward.
Two and a half years later,there was an opening at the
Pride Center.
There was a couple of openingsat the Pride Center and I said,
(01:48):
hmm, and a friend told me aboutthis and I was looking.
I was not working at the time,I was taking a hiatus,
practicing my yoga and trying tofigure out what's next in my
life.
So I connected with the PrideCenter, had some great
conversations with Robert Boo,who's the CEO, christopher Fagan
Bush, the COO, and I ended upwith the Women with Pride
(02:10):
program and I'm the coordinatorand it's a great place to be
being a woman and getting tohang out with women all day.
Chris Baker (02:18):
That's amazing.
Diane Pappafotis (02:18):
It's a tough job.
Chris Baker (02:19):
Oh yeah, sounds really bad, but it sounds like
you actually had the time toreally, you know, take time for
yourself, regroup with yourselfand, when that opportunity came,
in it was just a beautifulopening, so I love that.
Diane Pappafotis (02:32):
It was.
It was great, and I have abackground in nonprofit and I
feel very passionate about thework, and so it was a great
connection right off the bat.
Chris Baker (02:42):
Oh my gosh, that's awesome.
So part of our story here onbeing on Visual Eyes is we want
to talk about collaborations.
So the Pride Center hascollaborated with organizations
like Coffer Support Housing.
Did I say that right?
You did Good and to developresidential residence for the
Equity Park.
Diane Pappafotis (03:02):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (03:03):
So how has this helped the LGBTQ plus seniors?
Diane Pappafotis (03:09):
Well, I think, first of all, there's a
shortage of housing affordablehousing across the country, and
in this area there's not a lotof housing for LGBTQ plus
individuals, and so this is aunique offering in the community
and I think the Pride Centerand this happened prior to me
(03:29):
being there but I think it wasreally forward thinking about
having this connection with thecommunity center.
As we get older, it's oftentimescan be an isolating experience
for folks, and so what amarriage being connected to a
community center that offers avariety of activities on campus,
and so it's, I think, been agreat partnership between the
(03:52):
two.
Probably some bumps in the roadbecause you have differing
communities and populations thatmay be existing at the same
time in populations that may beexisting at the same time, but
it's wonderful because, being onthe campus, there are some
folks that don't get out a lot,so they can just go next door
and take place in events that wehave, like Coffee and
(04:12):
Conversation, all the socialevents that we have.
We also have wellness eventsthere, so it's very easy for
folks who may not get out a lot.
So it's been, I think, a goodexperience so far and definitely
an evolving relationship.
Chris Baker (04:26):
No, that's fantastic Because, honestly, you
know, as we age, it's sometimesharder to meet new people,
build those connections,especially in the senior
community.
So like definitely giving thema space where they can actually
just be free and, you know, behappy and content.
I think I just love that.
Diane Pappafotis (04:44):
Me too.
Yeah, I do too.
Chris Baker (04:48):
What other collaborations have you guys
experienced in the community,with either nonprofits or
for-profits, that you can tellus some stories about?
Diane Pappafotis (04:58):
So I've been at the community center almost
two years, so almost my two-yearanniversary.
So I'll speak about my ownexperiences.
The Women with Pride programoftentimes we partner with other
organizations to offer services, and so, whether it be social,
health, awareness or educationalservices, last year we had an
(05:19):
amazing series called Films atthe Center, and what we did is
we offered some amazing women'sfilms four different films.
We had partnerships withorganizations like Tello Films
they're based out of Nashvillewe partnered with Outshine, we
partnered with Franco Stevensfrom the Curve Foundation, and
(05:41):
so these partnerships allow usto offer these great events and
we can offer educationalopportunities for folks so they
can learn about these otherorganizations, and then we fill
those needs in a way that wecan't just do by ourselves at
the Pride Center.
So collaborations for us areeverything, because we're not
experts in everything, but we doknow how to partner with
(06:04):
organizations, and in my programspecifically, I often link
people to different services,and so I have to know what
services are offered in thecommunity, whether it be private
or public, and so linking womento services that they need is
crucial, and that means we haveto have good partnerships.
Chris Baker (06:24):
No, I remember actually going to one of the
film nights that you guys had.
That they need is is crucialand that means we have to have
good partnerships.
No, I remember actually goingto one of the film uh nights
that you guys had you were there, you saved us.
Diane Pappafotis (06:31):
We were sinking technically and you
saved us.
Oh my gosh, that's right.
Yes, I, I've told that storythat was an amazing night.
Chris Baker (06:39):
I love the two videos that we got to play.
Yeah, um, there was sometechnical issues at the very
start yes uh, we worked through,we figured it out, we did, um,
but yeah, that was amazing nightthere was actually a few other
people for profits there,actually in the back tables,
that were able to collaborateand give back.
Uh, one of them I remember wasI can't remember the name, but I
(07:01):
remember michelle singer yes,michelle singer tasteful
thoughts, tasteful thoughts,perfect amazing.
Uh, I can't remember the name,but I remember Michelle Singer.
Yes, michelle Singer, tastefulThoughts, tasteful Thoughts,
perfect, amazing.
She was there.
And then I also rememberFrancine Sweet with Sweet Life
Travel Tribe.
Diane Pappafotis (07:15):
That's right.
Chris Baker (07:16):
She was also there that night.
Yes, and then also the SkirtSoap Flow magazine was also
there that night.
That's right.
Yeah, so there was a lot ofamazing collaboration that
evening just to kind of get outthere.
Diane Pappafotis (07:31):
It's important those organizations help
sponsor our events, so they helpus offer events to folks at
either low cost or no cost, andit's important to have those
collaborations Again, theseorganizations being with Women,
with Pride, I love to supportwomen's organizations or
organizations that support women, and so it's wonderful, these
(07:54):
collaborations.
We need them, we want them, andwhen folks come to the Pride
Center, we want them to have agreat experience.
And that's part of it, a greatexperience, and that's part of
it connecting with theircommunity, connecting with
resources, making sure that theycome to the Pride Center and
they have a great experience,but they also know what else is
happening in their community.
Chris Baker (08:11):
Well, and also they need a space to feel safe.
Diane Pappafotis (08:14):
Absolutely.
It's part of our mission.
Chris Baker (08:16):
And no, and that's great.
Actually, can you explain themission, Like what is the
mission of the Pride Center?
Diane Pappafotis (08:25):
Well, we offer a safe and welcoming place for
individuals, lgbtq individualsand our friends and allies in
South Florida, and so we have anamazing campus.
Not only is the Pride Centerthere, but we host other
organizations as well.
They rent space from us.
To name a few Dolphin Democrats, gay Men's, chorus, sage of
South Florida, transinclusive.
They're all on our campus andthese organizations do amazing
(08:47):
work.
They, too, want a safe space,so we created that on this
campus and that is our goal tomake sure that everybody in the
community is welcome here, and Iwould say that, in my
experience in the past two years, it is a safe and welcoming
place.
I've heard feedback from womenwho've come to my programs
saying they feel comfortablethere.
(09:09):
They may not want to go out toa bar, but they feel comfortable
at the Pride Center.
We have parking and they knowthat they're going to see
friends.
So I think we live up to thatmission.
Chris Baker (09:19):
No, yeah, I've been there only a handful of times,
but every time I've been there,I've been there only a handful
of times, but every time I'mthere.
I've always felt welcomingGreat Safe.
It's been a really goodopportunity just to meet new
people.
I was there for Coffee andConnections.
Diane Pappafotis (09:31):
Yeah, coffee and Conversations.
Chris Baker (09:32):
Coffee and Conversations yeah, and that was
fantastic.
I think there was some donuts.
Diane Pappafotis (09:39):
There were, and some coffee.
Chris Baker (09:41):
Lots of coffee, lots of coffee.
It was just an excellent spaceto just relax.
We got to hear from a fewpeople that were helping in the
community and different eventsthat were happening, so it was a
good collaboration.
Diane Pappafotis (10:02):
And not only do you hear about what's
happening in the community, butwe have a great opportunity for
organizations to sponsor Coffeeand Conversations, so they can
come in be a sponsor, helpsupport the event and we get to
hear about their organization.
And so each week we have adifferent sponsor and it varies.
It could be financial services,it could be health and wellness
.
It really varies and oftentimesthese organizations are just
part of our community.
(10:23):
The individuals in that roomprobably already do business
with them and they aresupportive of the Pride Center
and we want to support them aswell.
Chris Baker (10:31):
That's amazing.
So on the other end of thespectrum, sometimes we have some
challenges that we have to facewhen we're trying to
collaborate and work with eithera for-profit or other
non-profits.
Can you kind of of help sharesome of those stories that may
have happened so that we canstart navigating and how to
(10:53):
change that conversation andmake it easier for us to
collaborate with you know otherpeople.
Diane Pappafotis (10:59):
That's a tough question.
It's a tough question becauseyou really want to be honest in
those challenges in therelationship.
So I'll be as honest as I can.
My experience sometimes hasbeen there is a feeling of
competition, and competition, Ithink can be challenging, but it
(11:21):
can also be a way to figure outhow you can collaborate I was
about to sneeze, I'm sorry.
How you can collaborate andfigure out how you can
collaborate, and I was about tosneeze, I'm sorry.
How you can collaborate andfigure out how you can be
stronger together.
And so there there've been a fewtimes that I've worked with
organizations where we've had tosort of really get into the
logistics of what it means towork together in a sense, where
(11:44):
there's a lot of questions andtrying to figure out certain
things ahead of time, where youmay not have all the answers the
first time you date someone.
We say, well, let's try it outand see how it works.
And I've had a couple ofrelationships where folks
haven't felt comfortable.
They really wanted to nail downvery specifics and it just
hasn't worked out.
(12:04):
It hasn't worked out.
So I think you have to havesome trust going into brand new
relationships and trying tofigure out what that means and
be clear about goals, be clearabout what it is that you want
and what it is you want toachieve together.
And if you have that I thinkyou can have successful
relationships.
But if you don't have thatclear communication, that trust,
that goal setting, sometimesthings can go, can go bad
(12:28):
communication, that trust, thatgoal setting.
Chris Baker (12:28):
Um, sometimes things can go, can go bad.
Yeah, it's basically, like youknow, building a business or
making your mission move forwardright you have to have the
ultimate goal yeah and sometimesthere needs to be flexibility
right and if you both can seethe ultimate goal and like this
is what we want yeah thatcollaboration, effort to work
yeah but then you know they'removing this way and you're
moving this way and you're kindof going the opposite direction.
(12:49):
True, if the new goal isn't inthe same site, you're not going
to come back and that's theproblem.
So, yeah, you definitely needto clear those goals and the
strategies to go.
Okay, what if we did it thisway?
What if we moved the needlejust a little bit to the right,
(13:10):
a little to the left?
Whatever it needs to happen, sothat really kind of brings the
collaboration back on on trackyou've done this before, yeah
we've worked.
We've worked with differentnon-profits and even, you know,
with working with for-profit andfor-profit.
When you have to, like, have acommon goal, right, like, okay,
my business is doing this andyour business is doing this, how
(13:31):
do we work together?
And so there's always thiscollaboration effort.
Obviously, this show is morefor the non-profit, specifically
because we really want to makesure that communities really
improve.
Diane Pappafotis (13:43):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (13:43):
And the best way to do that is to help non-profits,
because that's how we're goingto start from the ground level
and keep building up, so we'rebuilding a better foundation I
love that you know what I mean,and so by building a better and
stronger foundation throughcollaboration yeah that's where
we're really going to shinethrough, and if everybody is all
(14:06):
about competition, like, oh,then I have to do it this way
and I'm only into it this way.
You're only limited to what youcan see right there.
Diane Pappafotis (14:15):
You said it.
Chris Baker (14:16):
Right.
Diane Pappafotis (14:16):
You're right, absolutely.
Chris Baker (14:18):
So if we have two people working towards the same
method and it's two differentorganizations or two different
people, yeah, towards the samemethod and it's two different
organizations or two differentpeople.
Yeah, you've expanded itexponentially beyond that one
person, because now you can seebigger and you have more paths
and then hopefully you get otherpeople involved and that just
helped it grow.
So I really do feel that thisis the reason that we're all
(14:42):
here is to collaborate.
We need a tribe.
Diane Pappafotis (14:46):
We do.
Chris Baker (14:47):
To actually move the needle forward.
Diane Pappafotis (14:52):
You just said something that I didn't really
think about in the answer, butthe learning component of it.
Every time I've collaboratedmost of the time I've
collaborated I've walked awayreally thinking like, oh, I
loved how somebody just did thatand I love how they do this.
For-profit, non-profit, doesn'tmatter.
Chris Baker (15:04):
It doesn't.
Diane Pappafotis (15:06):
It's the learning and the emulating, and
I have done it so many timesthrough my collaborations and I
see it and oftentimes innon-profit, especially when
you're running a program thereis a component to it where you
have to market your program andyourself.
And just because you're anon-profit doesn't mean you need
to be good at selling.
You kind of have to sell alittle bit and it really is
(15:28):
doing it authentically and justcommunicating what it is that
you want to do.
And I have learned that throughcollaboration.
I've learned to better marketmyself and my program by
watching other people and mycollaborations and how they
promote what they do.
So that is so true that youtalk about these collaborations,
and I think it's the one thingthat I've really learned here at
(15:52):
the Pride Center, because mycollaborations in my previous
life were very different and soI've done things very
differently.
I network differently, I workdifferently and it's a lot of
those collaborations have taughtme a lot.
Oh yeah, I mean it.
Chris Baker (16:05):
Collaborations have taught me a lot.
Oh yeah, I mean it's eventaught me a lot in the last
three years since we've openedour doors to visuals by my mom
yeah, it's been three years it'sbeen three years, uh, and we
were just super excited thatwe're able to, you know,
continue the work that we loveto do.
We're continuing to tellstories, but it wouldn't be
possible without some of thecollaborations and the people
(16:26):
that we have met and moved itforward Like they're our
lifeline.
Diane Pappafotis (16:30):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (16:31):
And I'm so grateful for them, like it really made a
huge difference, and everynonprofit that we've had the
opportunity to work with.
We're having the opportunity tobuild their story through video
.
Diane Pappafotis (16:44):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (16:45):
It's opening doors for them build their story
through video.
Yeah, it's opening doors forthem.
It's giving them a newstructure and a new way to speak
to their audience.
Um, so, yeah, it's been verybeautiful cool.
Diane Pappafotis (16:56):
Yeah, I'm glad to hear that.
Being visual is hard.
Chris Baker (16:59):
It's not easy not in this day.
Yeah, so in this day and age,how do you stand out?
Yeah, and you know, you've goteverybody that's on TikTok and
Instagram and Facebook andeverywhere and all of them are
doing like dances or all of thatstuff and they're so fun to
watch.
Diane Pappafotis (17:14):
They are.
They are Interesting.
Chris Baker (17:16):
But how do you compete as a nonprofit One if
you're not making enough videocontent?
Yeah, To stand out.
Diane Pappafotis (17:24):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (17:29):
And two are you telling the right story?
That's so important to makesure they're on that same path.
Yeah, so um cool, that's veryimportant.
All right, so let's go back topride center and so you guys
have a couple initiatives likethe active aging health expo
yeah, and women with prideprogram, yeah so, and they aim
to help the community.
(17:50):
Can you share any successstories that really stand out of
that impact and how it'shelping Broward County?
Diane Pappafotis (17:56):
Yeah, I'll start with the Women with Pride
program.
For the most part we offersocial, educational and health
and wellness programming forwomen.
I say for the most part becausewe do other things, we do
community work outside to helpother organizations, but our
focus primarily is to offer thiskind of programming for women.
(18:16):
The stories that I have, thefeedback that I've heard, as
I've already mentioned, we offera safe, welcoming place for
folks.
The community that we serve isnot as visible as the men's
community here in South Florida,and I'm not going to speak for
all women, but some of us liketo stay in a little more and
(18:36):
nest and not go out and go tothe bars late at night.
So oftentimes we offerprogramming for folks that makes
it accessible for them.
So we have an afternoon programthat we offer quarterly.
We have events during the day,early evening, and so I feel
like sometimes the community hasa lot of options.
(18:58):
If you want to go out late atnight or if you want to do
certain entertainment kind ofactivities, to do certain
entertainment kind of activities, we offer programming, I think,
for the folks who may not wantto do the typical kinds of
programming.
And so it's important again tohave a safe space for folks to
(19:18):
go to, and one woman came to meafter one of our events and said
this was the first time thatshe had gone out in a year,
since her wife passed the firsttime by herself, and so for me
knowing that there are folks outthere they're seeing us on
social media and in thosevideos- that they can come to
(19:39):
the Pride Center and feel safeand welcome.
I think that's serving ourcommunity.
Chris Baker (19:44):
I think that's hitting the mark, and so I've
been excited to be a part ofthat extremely valuable and very
(20:04):
important, and I know thatthere actually is a very big
women's community here there isum, because I've seen it
firsthand yeah, I bet you have Ihave been amazingly working
with uh, lesbian thespians andI've met some amazing people
where I met laylee and I met youthrough multiple different
channels and just seeing the waythat you're building this
(20:27):
community and, you know,bringing people together in a
safe and fun way, it's just,it's so beautiful because,
honestly, it's so valuable yeahum for me growing up, I didn't
have that yeah and so it waskind of like.
You know, I'm seeing all ofthese safer spaces where I can
be myself.
I can actually, you know, dosomething amazing and be my like
(20:50):
, be authentic.
Diane Pappafotis (20:51):
Yeah, it's hard, it is.
Chris Baker (20:53):
It's sometimes hard to just let yourself go from
that.
Okay, I'm going to pretend todo this and I got to do it this
way Because I came from a verysmall town.
Diane Pappafotis (21:02):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (21:02):
Less than 200 people, so a very, very small
town.
Diane Pappafotis (21:06):
Is that even classified as a town 200?
Chris Baker (21:08):
people.
No, if that's, maybe it's a uhvillage, I'm not even sure, but
it was.
It was hard and I I really knewthat I needed to be somewhere
diverse yeah and so coming downto south florida was like this
is home, like I'm starting tofeel like this is home because
I've met some amazing peoplehere and the collaborations that
(21:29):
I've made and just the chanceto actually be me yeah it's so
invaluable and you'recontributing to your community,
and so that's, I think, thatallows you to make those
connections that you otherwisewouldn't have and deeper and
deeper, that's right, the deeperconnections, so that's cool.
Diane Pappafotis (21:46):
Yeah, I mean that's.
I met you through connectionsand and networking and I knew
honestly, I knew the second Imet you.
I'm like this is a great guy.
Chris Baker (21:56):
Maybe momo not so much, but you are a great guy uh
, well, I appreciate that and Ithank you so much, and and Momo
is a great guy, so I know, justput that one back in.
But no, I really appreciatethat Because honestly, it's
sometimes I don't hear it enough.
Diane Pappafotis (22:13):
Oh yeah.
Chris Baker (22:15):
And, like I feel it , sometimes you don't hear it
enough, so I thank you.
Diane Pappafotis (22:19):
OK, cool.
Chris Baker (22:20):
Very, very valuable .
So looking forward, yeah.
So what are some of thestrategies that is kind of
bringing to the LGBTQ community?
Diane Pappafotis (22:33):
So things have shifted recently politically,
and so a priority that I mightsay and I'm not going to speak
for our CEO, but I know some ofthe things that we are doing in
our day to day is reinforcingthat we are a safe place, that
we are doing the things that weneed to do to make sure that
(22:54):
folks are as safe as possibleone when they come to our campus
.
And we are really making sure atleast our leadership is making
sure that we as staff and ourcommunity are informed about
important issues that are goingon, not only locally but
nationally, and really doublingdown on communications and
(23:16):
making sure we are aware ofwhat's happening, especially
issues that are affecting theLGBTQ plus community, and so
it's not that we weren't doingthat before, but we are really
really hyper focused on that nowbecause of some changes that
are happening that affect us asa community center, that affect
us as a community for profits,nonprofits, and so I appreciate
(23:39):
that commitment and shiftingthose strategies to make sure
that we are doing what we can toserve our community.
Chris Baker (23:47):
Yeah, no, that's extremely invaluable and very
important right now.
So how can you know thecommunity get some of this
information?
Is this information you'reputting on the website?
Are you guys hosting likeforums?
What are the ways that you'regetting this information out?
Diane Pappafotis (24:02):
Yeah, a few different ways.
Again, our campus houses lotsof different organizations.
We also rent space and sooftentimes you will find
collaborative events happeningon campus with different groups
and, depending on what'shappening, depending on the
month, there are differentevents.
Staying on top of what'shappening on our campus, we will
(24:24):
have town halls that arehappening, political groups may
meet there, we have supportgroups that meet there, and so I
think it's important to stay ontop of the events that are
happening with otherorganizations on our campus.
I'll mention Coffee andConversation.
Again, that is our active agingprogram and it is the largest
(24:46):
continuous group of LGBTQindividuals who meet weekly.
Lgbtq individuals who meetweekly and we have a packed main
hall where, again, differentorganizations come in and inform
the community what's happening.
We have local law enforcementthat's been there.
Local legislators, leaders ofother organizations come in, so
(25:07):
it happens weekly and it is anopportunity in person to
socialize a bit and find outwhat's happening in the
community.
So I think it's website lookingto see what events are
happening and attending our ownevents.
Chris Baker (25:19):
Okay, well, that's wonderful, yeah, so definitely
check the website.
Diane Pappafotis (25:23):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (25:23):
Look for different opportunities to get some of
this information and see who'scoming in to speak, and if
you're on social media.
Diane Pappafotis (25:30):
That's another way that we share.
We share information aboutother organizations as well and
what they're doing, and so thoselike-minded organizations.
We're always sharing aboutevents that are happening in the
community, whether we'reparticipating or not.
Chris Baker (25:42):
So I'm just going to throw this piece in here.
Normally I'll set it to the end, but now we're talking about
website, we're talking aboutsocial media.
So what is the website and howcan they contact you through
social media?
Can you share those handles?
Diane Pappafotis (25:53):
absolutely so.
We have the pride center, whichis wwwpridecenterfloridaorg.
That's our website, we.
We are the pride center onfacebook, on instagram, tiktok.
And then what's the new?
One?
Chris Baker (26:07):
blue sky is that okay, all right, so I have to
get on that one yet.
Diane Pappafotis (26:11):
But yeah, we're on there.
Women with pride is there, sowe have a Facebook presence as
well Women with Pride onFacebook, instagram and Blue Sky
.
And then we have an eventcoming up at Wilton Women's Week
.
We haven't talked about that,but we're sharing a lot of
information about Wilton Women'sWeek wwwwiltonwomensweekorg,
(26:31):
and so that's a big event thatwe're hosting for women.
So all three of those placesyou can find information.
Chris Baker (26:36):
Wonderful, all right.
So now that you brought upWomen's Week, Shameless plug
yeah, let's jump into that one,because I know that's something
that we actually have acollaboration.
Yeah, so we need you, yes, solet's talk a little bit more
about that.
Yeah, when is it?
What is it all about?
Sure, who is it for theattendees?
What are we looking for?
Do you need you know?
Are you looking for sponsors?
(26:57):
Are you looking for extra helpvolunteers?
Yeah, tell us more.
Diane Pappafotis (27:00):
Thank you for asking about that.
Yeah, wilton, women's Week ishappening April 26th through May
4th and it is essentially acelebration of the LGBTQIA
women's community and it reallythe mission is to spotlight and
highlight all the greatwomen-led programs,
organizations, individuals,businesses and our allies as
(27:25):
well.
And it's a week of activities.
There's going to be socialactivity, arts and culture,
sports, health and wellness, allhappening during one week.
And is the entire women'scommunity participating in all
the organizations?
No, but we're trying to get asmany as we can to do what they
(27:45):
do best during that one week,whether it's theater or sports,
and we're having a pickleballtournament oh, whether it's
poetry, it just depends we'rehaving a dance.
It's all happening during thatweek.
And we want women to be visible.
We want them to be out andabout and enjoying themselves.
So we put a week of eventstogether.
(28:07):
The Pride Center, women withPride, is hosting it, but the
magic of this event is it's anall-volunteer group of women
that are helping organize andrun this and, as we like to say,
the heart and spirit of thisevent is happening from the
women in our community.
Chris Baker (28:24):
Oh my gosh, that's so awesome.
Yeah, yeah.
So you said that you need usfor this event, so tell us more.
How can we be there and how arewe assisting you?
Diane Pappafotis (28:34):
Absolutely so.
One of the things that wereally want to be able to do is
not only for folks to enjoy theevents and go to them, but for
folks that aren't there, whocan't make it, who may want to
come in the future, we want tomake sure that we're capturing
this on video.
So we would love your help withthat.
We want to make sure that we'rereally giving people a great
(28:55):
visual experience, and so that'spart of what we want to be able
to do, and social media as well, and so we're going to have
kind of a multi-pronged approach.
We're going to have boots onthe ground, folks posting about
it, but we just want to makesure, visually again, for folks
who aren't there or even who arehere, and we want them to know
about the event.
Chris Baker (29:15):
We want to make sure, like we said earlier,
we're telling that story yeah,and so it's important yeah, well
, and especially if we canactually have this on an annual
basis you can get more people tocome next year.
You get more people the yearafter that and having that
documentation, creating thatcontent library that you can
fall back on, or creatingmultiple marketing it's so
(29:38):
important and whether that'scaptured on your phone whether
it's captured on a professionalcamera.
you know it's very important tomake sure that you're capturing
all content as much as possibleand then save it.
Never know when you're going toneed it A year later, five
years later.
Diane Pappafotis (29:53):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (29:54):
You know, maybe you need to create a documentary
for your organization becauseit's grown to this beautiful
space and you have that contentlibrary from five years back.
Yeah, how invaluable is that toput that information into your
story.
Diane Pappafotis (30:11):
You're right, and for me, who always messes up
on video, I want to make sureit's all edited professionally
in such a way.
Yeah, you're right, we want totell that story and we want to
be able to do that in a waythat's appealing, because I
don't know how to shoot video atall.
Chris Baker (30:29):
Well, if you ever need help, you know that's one
of the things that I'm going todo.
A plug here for visuals by momoyeah so we actually have
workshops and coaching to helpspecifically non-profit
organizations.
Yeah, on what level they're atcapture, how to capture it on
camera on their phone, whateverdevice that they feel.
Like me, yes, we'll teach youhow to capture better video okay
(30:52):
so that you can have thatcontent library.
Diane Pappafotis (30:55):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (30:55):
And then you know we also have different tiers
that we are able to assist.
Second one is you're capturingand sending it us to edit.
Diane Pappafotis (31:02):
Yeah, oh.
Chris Baker (31:04):
Obviously just kind of simplifies the editing
process.
Diane Pappafotis (31:06):
Yeah, can take a lot of time, yeah.
Chris Baker (31:08):
And then when you guys are ready, you know you
don't have the time anymore.
There's more resources.
We come in, we capture, we film, we strategize and we edit all
of it for you.
Diane Pappafotis (31:18):
So just with our phones?
Yeah, okay, start with yourphone, yeah.
Chris Baker (31:23):
Because, honestly, you never know what's going to
be needed in the future and thebiggest thing that really comes
down to it is just making sureyou have a media storage space
yeah either get a really largehard drive, use the cloud,
whatever avenue, and it's goingto cost a little bit of money to
have that stored yeah but it'sinvaluable for future marketing
(31:45):
material for any non-profit, andso that's what we're trying to
educate right now into thenon-profit community, because we
go and work with some of themand some are like I have no
footage and I have nothing yeahand I'm like, how long have you
been?
around well, we've been aroundfor five, ten years.
Yeah, where is you?
Know we need something?
Yeah, um, we can alwaysrecreate, but the problem is we
(32:08):
want to try to keep the costdown when we're filming for
people as low as possible, andif we have to recreate it,
that's just an extra costbecause we have to bring in more
crew, maybe actors, whateverthe case may be yeah try to get
that there, where, if weactually had just even a snippet
like you know, 10 seconds ofjust this, an amazing piece from
(32:28):
five years ago, that couldpossibly be an amazing portion
of the story.
It can really be invaluable.
Diane Pappafotis (32:35):
So when you said storage meaning external,
not on your phone, right Correct?
Yeah, okay, okay.
Chris Baker (32:40):
Because, honestly, we lose our phone.
We, you know, we change andupgrade our models and the data
doesn't always transfer, but thecase may be.
So you want to put it either ona computer that something's
going to be last a little bitlonger in the storage, like a
OneDrive or Dropbox, somewherewhere you can store it, and you
(33:00):
may have to pay a couple dollarsa month but, it's so invaluable
.
Diane Pappafotis (33:06):
Okay, I know now why my phone keeps filling
up because of the video.
Okay, that's an aside.
I think that's what's happening.
Yeah, so I really, and that'sone of the video, okay that's an
aside.
Chris Baker (33:14):
I think that's what's happening, yeah, but yeah
, so I really and that's one ofthe things that we are really
kind of trying to push is tomake sure you save those pieces,
because you never know whatthey're going to need and, like
you said, most people are goingto be on the on the ground boots
running.
Yeah, words are going to be alittle hard for me right there,
but you have people capturingthe content with their phones.
Diane Pappafotis (33:33):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (33:33):
Yeah, find a way for them to send you the content
.
Yeah, and have the organizationsave it.
Diane Pappafotis (33:40):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (33:41):
So that way they can refer back to it.
I would say 90% of it isprobably not usable, but if you
don't have access to it or youdon't see it, you'll never know.
Diane Pappafotis (33:48):
Right Good advice.
Chris Baker (33:51):
Yeah, all right.
So, as we wrap up today'sepisode, the last question I ask
everybody is about what legacyyou personally want to leave for
future generations.
Diane Pappafotis (34:03):
Oh gosh, it's so hard Right.
I really, having been with acouple different organizations
throughout my long career, Ialways want to leave in a place
better than when I came there.
That's the easy answer.
The more difficult answer isreally, can I help leave a
(34:27):
longer term strategy?
So not only am I walking outthe door of an organization, can
I help them figure out, from mysmall perspective, where they
need to be moving in the futureand help guide in that direction
.
And that's a little harder todo because we're always in the
weeds with today and thinkingabout today.
(34:49):
But I want to be able to notonly just serve the community
and help fill gaps in ourcommunity.
I want to figure out how canthat organization and especially
because I work with the Women,with Pride program and
representing and serving womenin our community what can the
Pride Center do moving forwardand where do they need to be
(35:09):
down the road.
And that requires a little morethought.
And so that's what I'd love tobe able to do.
I'd love to be able to leave ina better place and then help
them navigate the future, evenif I'm not there.
Chris Baker (35:23):
I mean, yeah, we're looking for future generations,
and how do we make it safe forthe LGBTQ community?
How do we make it future forall the future generations as a
whole?
Diane Pappafotis (35:32):
Yeah, yeah, how do we make it future for all
the future?
Chris Baker (35:33):
generations as a whole.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And we have to look 10, 20, 30,50 years into the future.
We can't just you know we wantto focus on today because it is
the problems that we have toface today, but you're right.
Diane Pappafotis (35:43):
Yeah.
We need to focus on the futureand even if it's just the next
four years and figuring out whatis it that we need to do,
excuse me, what do we need toprepare for?
And if you can do that, I thinkthat that's helpful, and so I
don't know exactly what thatmeans for me, but that's what
I'd like to be able to leave.
Chris Baker (36:02):
I love that.
That's so fantastic thank you.
Diane Pappafotis (36:05):
Yeah, oh, my god, it's.
It's so awesome to be here.
I didn't thank you at thebeginning, but thank you for
having me you are totallywelcome.
Chris Baker (36:10):
thank you for being here and joining us on Visual
Eyes.
I hope that we had an amazingconversation today and I hope
that the rest of you out therehave learned something new.
Diane Pappafotis (36:20):
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,
momo.
Chris Baker (36:25):
Thank you for joining me on this episode of
Visual Eyes.
We hope that the inspirationand practical insights can help
you foster stronger connectionsand meaningful change.
Don't forget to subscribe,share the episode and leave us a
review.
To learn more about Visuals byMomo and how we support
collaboration and storytelling,visit visualsbymomo.
com.
(36:46):
A huge thank you to everyoneout there listening.
Until next time, remember,collaboration fuels change and
your connections can inspire theworld.
Chris Baker, and each week we'll explore
incredible connections betweennonprofits, businesses and the
community.
This is a space where wehighlight inspiring partnerships
, uncover strategies forcreating meaningful impact and
share stories that show howworking together can make all
the difference.
Whether you're a nonprofitleader, a business owner or
(00:28):
someone just passionate aboutbuilding connections, this
podcast is for you.
Hello, and welcome back toVisual Eyes.
Today, we are welcoming to theshow Diane Pappafotis.
Did I say that right, right, youdid, I did yay, names can be a
little tricky sometimes, but I'mglad that I've, you know,
(00:48):
worked on it a little bit.
So and you are with the PrideCenter.
So what I would love tell me alittle bit about your journey
and what inspired you to joinand become involved with the
Pride Center.
Diane Pappafotis (00:59):
The amazing Pride Center.
Well, I actually was connectedto the Pride Center before I
moved to DC excuse me, florida.
I moved here four years ago andin my previous life I was
actually following the PrideCenter via social media.
I was stalking them and theywere building this amazing which
(01:20):
is now a 48 unit affordablehousing for the LGBTQ plus
community.
Chris Baker (01:25):
Oh my gosh, that's amazing.
Diane Pappafotis (01:26):
And I did some work in affordable housing in
my previous life, so I wasfollowing them on social media
as this amazing apartmentcomplex was being built, and so
I said that's an organizationthat I need to follow and I need
to stay connected to.
And so fast forward.
Two and a half years later,there was an opening at the
Pride Center.
There was a couple of openingsat the Pride Center and I said,
(01:48):
hmm, and a friend told me aboutthis and I was looking.
I was not working at the time,I was taking a hiatus,
practicing my yoga and trying tofigure out what's next in my
life.
So I connected with the PrideCenter, had some great
conversations with Robert Boo,who's the CEO, christopher Fagan
Bush, the COO, and I ended upwith the Women with Pride
(02:10):
program and I'm the coordinatorand it's a great place to be
being a woman and getting tohang out with women all day.
Chris Baker (02:18):
That's amazing.
Diane Pappafotis (02:18):
It's a tough job.
Chris Baker (02:19):
Oh yeah, sounds really bad, but it sounds like
you actually had the time toreally, you know, take time for
yourself, regroup with yourselfand, when that opportunity came,
in it was just a beautifulopening, so I love that.
Diane Pappafotis (02:32):
It was.
It was great, and I have abackground in nonprofit and I
feel very passionate about thework, and so it was a great
connection right off the bat.
Chris Baker (02:42):
Oh my gosh, that's awesome.
So part of our story here onbeing on Visual Eyes is we want
to talk about collaborations.
So the Pride Center hascollaborated with organizations
like Coffer Support Housing.
Did I say that right?
You did Good and to developresidential residence for the
Equity Park.
Diane Pappafotis (03:02):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (03:03):
So how has this helped the LGBTQ plus seniors?
Diane Pappafotis (03:09):
Well, I think, first of all, there's a
shortage of housing affordablehousing across the country, and
in this area there's not a lotof housing for LGBTQ plus
individuals, and so this is aunique offering in the community
and I think the Pride Centerand this happened prior to me
(03:29):
being there but I think it wasreally forward thinking about
having this connection with thecommunity center.
As we get older, it's oftentimescan be an isolating experience
for folks, and so what amarriage being connected to a
community center that offers avariety of activities on campus,
and so it's, I think, been agreat partnership between the
(03:52):
two.
Probably some bumps in the roadbecause you have differing
communities and populations thatmay be existing at the same
time in populations that may beexisting at the same time, but
it's wonderful because, being onthe campus, there are some
folks that don't get out a lot,so they can just go next door
and take place in events that wehave, like Coffee and
(04:12):
Conversation, all the socialevents that we have.
We also have wellness eventsthere, so it's very easy for
folks who may not get out a lot.
So it's been, I think, a goodexperience so far and definitely
an evolving relationship.
Chris Baker (04:26):
No, that's fantastic Because, honestly, you
know, as we age, it's sometimesharder to meet new people,
build those connections,especially in the senior
community.
So like definitely giving thema space where they can actually
just be free and, you know, behappy and content.
I think I just love that.
Diane Pappafotis (04:44):
Me too.
Yeah, I do too.
Chris Baker (04:48):
What other collaborations have you guys
experienced in the community,with either nonprofits or
for-profits, that you can tellus some stories about?
Diane Pappafotis (04:58):
So I've been at the community center almost
two years, so almost my two-yearanniversary.
So I'll speak about my ownexperiences.
The Women with Pride programoftentimes we partner with other
organizations to offer services, and so, whether it be social,
health, awareness or educationalservices, last year we had an
(05:19):
amazing series called Films atthe Center, and what we did is
we offered some amazing women'sfilms four different films.
We had partnerships withorganizations like Tello Films
they're based out of Nashvillewe partnered with Outshine, we
partnered with Franco Stevensfrom the Curve Foundation, and
(05:41):
so these partnerships allow usto offer these great events and
we can offer educationalopportunities for folks so they
can learn about these otherorganizations, and then we fill
those needs in a way that wecan't just do by ourselves at
the Pride Center.
So collaborations for us areeverything, because we're not
experts in everything, but we doknow how to partner with
(06:04):
organizations, and in my programspecifically, I often link
people to different services,and so I have to know what
services are offered in thecommunity, whether it be private
or public, and so linking womento services that they need is
crucial, and that means we haveto have good partnerships.
Chris Baker (06:24):
No, I remember actually going to one of the
film nights that you guys had.
That they need is is crucialand that means we have to have
good partnerships.
No, I remember actually goingto one of the film uh nights
that you guys had you were there, you saved us.
Diane Pappafotis (06:31):
We were sinking technically and you
saved us.
Oh my gosh, that's right.
Yes, I, I've told that storythat was an amazing night.
Chris Baker (06:39):
I love the two videos that we got to play.
Yeah, um, there was sometechnical issues at the very
start yes uh, we worked through,we figured it out, we did, um,
but yeah, that was amazing nightthere was actually a few other
people for profits there,actually in the back tables,
that were able to collaborateand give back.
Uh, one of them I remember wasI can't remember the name, but I
(07:01):
remember michelle singer yes,michelle singer tasteful
thoughts, tasteful thoughts,perfect amazing.
Uh, I can't remember the name,but I remember Michelle Singer.
Yes, michelle Singer, tastefulThoughts, tasteful Thoughts,
perfect, amazing.
She was there.
And then I also rememberFrancine Sweet with Sweet Life
Travel Tribe.
Diane Pappafotis (07:15):
That's right.
Chris Baker (07:16):
She was also there that night.
Yes, and then also the SkirtSoap Flow magazine was also
there that night.
That's right.
Yeah, so there was a lot ofamazing collaboration that
evening just to kind of get outthere.
Diane Pappafotis (07:31):
It's important those organizations help
sponsor our events, so they helpus offer events to folks at
either low cost or no cost, andit's important to have those
collaborations Again, theseorganizations being with Women,
with Pride, I love to supportwomen's organizations or
organizations that support women, and so it's wonderful, these
(07:54):
collaborations.
We need them, we want them, andwhen folks come to the Pride
Center, we want them to have agreat experience.
And that's part of it, a greatexperience, and that's part of
it connecting with theircommunity, connecting with
resources, making sure that theycome to the Pride Center and
they have a great experience,but they also know what else is
happening in their community.
Chris Baker (08:11):
Well, and also they need a space to feel safe.
Diane Pappafotis (08:14):
Absolutely.
It's part of our mission.
Chris Baker (08:16):
And no, and that's great.
Actually, can you explain themission, Like what is the
mission of the Pride Center?
Diane Pappafotis (08:25):
Well, we offer a safe and welcoming place for
individuals, lgbtq individualsand our friends and allies in
South Florida, and so we have anamazing campus.
Not only is the Pride Centerthere, but we host other
organizations as well.
They rent space from us.
To name a few Dolphin Democrats, gay Men's, chorus, sage of
South Florida, transinclusive.
They're all on our campus andthese organizations do amazing
(08:47):
work.
They, too, want a safe space,so we created that on this
campus and that is our goal tomake sure that everybody in the
community is welcome here, and Iwould say that, in my
experience in the past two years, it is a safe and welcoming
place.
I've heard feedback from womenwho've come to my programs
saying they feel comfortablethere.
(09:09):
They may not want to go out toa bar, but they feel comfortable
at the Pride Center.
We have parking and they knowthat they're going to see
friends.
So I think we live up to thatmission.
Chris Baker (09:19):
No, yeah, I've been there only a handful of times,
but every time I've been there,I've been there only a handful
of times, but every time I'mthere.
I've always felt welcomingGreat Safe.
It's been a really goodopportunity just to meet new
people.
I was there for Coffee andConnections.
Diane Pappafotis (09:31):
Yeah, coffee and Conversations.
Chris Baker (09:32):
Coffee and Conversations yeah, and that was
fantastic.
I think there was some donuts.
Diane Pappafotis (09:39):
There were, and some coffee.
Chris Baker (09:41):
Lots of coffee, lots of coffee.
It was just an excellent spaceto just relax.
We got to hear from a fewpeople that were helping in the
community and different eventsthat were happening, so it was a
good collaboration.
Diane Pappafotis (10:02):
And not only do you hear about what's
happening in the community, butwe have a great opportunity for
organizations to sponsor Coffeeand Conversations, so they can
come in be a sponsor, helpsupport the event and we get to
hear about their organization.
And so each week we have adifferent sponsor and it varies.
It could be financial services,it could be health and wellness
.
It really varies and oftentimesthese organizations are just
part of our community.
(10:23):
The individuals in that roomprobably already do business
with them and they aresupportive of the Pride Center
and we want to support them aswell.
Chris Baker (10:31):
That's amazing.
So on the other end of thespectrum, sometimes we have some
challenges that we have to facewhen we're trying to
collaborate and work with eithera for-profit or other
non-profits.
Can you kind of of help sharesome of those stories that may
have happened so that we canstart navigating and how to
(10:53):
change that conversation andmake it easier for us to
collaborate with you know otherpeople.
Diane Pappafotis (10:59):
That's a tough question.
It's a tough question becauseyou really want to be honest in
those challenges in therelationship.
So I'll be as honest as I can.
My experience sometimes hasbeen there is a feeling of
competition, and competition, Ithink can be challenging, but it
(11:21):
can also be a way to figure outhow you can collaborate I was
about to sneeze, I'm sorry.
How you can collaborate andfigure out how you can
collaborate, and I was about tosneeze, I'm sorry.
How you can collaborate andfigure out how you can be
stronger together.
And so there there've been a fewtimes that I've worked with
organizations where we've had tosort of really get into the
logistics of what it means towork together in a sense, where
(11:44):
there's a lot of questions andtrying to figure out certain
things ahead of time, where youmay not have all the answers the
first time you date someone.
We say, well, let's try it outand see how it works.
And I've had a couple ofrelationships where folks
haven't felt comfortable.
They really wanted to nail downvery specifics and it just
hasn't worked out.
(12:04):
It hasn't worked out.
So I think you have to havesome trust going into brand new
relationships and trying tofigure out what that means and
be clear about goals, be clearabout what it is that you want
and what it is you want toachieve together.
And if you have that I thinkyou can have successful
relationships.
But if you don't have thatclear communication, that trust,
that goal setting, sometimesthings can go, can go bad
(12:28):
communication, that trust, thatgoal setting.
Chris Baker (12:28):
Um, sometimes things can go, can go bad.
Yeah, it's basically, like youknow, building a business or
making your mission move forwardright you have to have the
ultimate goal yeah and sometimesthere needs to be flexibility
right and if you both can seethe ultimate goal and like this
is what we want yeah thatcollaboration, effort to work
yeah but then you know they'removing this way and you're
moving this way and you're kindof going the opposite direction.
(12:49):
True, if the new goal isn't inthe same site, you're not going
to come back and that's theproblem.
So, yeah, you definitely needto clear those goals and the
strategies to go.
Okay, what if we did it thisway?
What if we moved the needlejust a little bit to the right,
(13:10):
a little to the left?
Whatever it needs to happen, sothat really kind of brings the
collaboration back on on trackyou've done this before, yeah
we've worked.
We've worked with differentnon-profits and even, you know,
with working with for-profit andfor-profit.
When you have to, like, have acommon goal, right, like, okay,
my business is doing this andyour business is doing this, how
(13:31):
do we work together?
And so there's always thiscollaboration effort.
Obviously, this show is morefor the non-profit, specifically
because we really want to makesure that communities really
improve.
Diane Pappafotis (13:43):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (13:43):
And the best way to do that is to help non-profits,
because that's how we're goingto start from the ground level
and keep building up, so we'rebuilding a better foundation I
love that you know what I mean,and so by building a better and
stronger foundation throughcollaboration yeah that's where
we're really going to shinethrough, and if everybody is all
(14:06):
about competition, like, oh,then I have to do it this way
and I'm only into it this way.
You're only limited to what youcan see right there.
Diane Pappafotis (14:15):
You said it.
Chris Baker (14:16):
Right.
Diane Pappafotis (14:16):
You're right, absolutely.
Chris Baker (14:18):
So if we have two people working towards the same
method and it's two differentorganizations or two different
people, yeah, towards the samemethod and it's two different
organizations or two differentpeople.
Yeah, you've expanded itexponentially beyond that one
person, because now you can seebigger and you have more paths
and then hopefully you get otherpeople involved and that just
helped it grow.
So I really do feel that thisis the reason that we're all
(14:42):
here is to collaborate.
We need a tribe.
Diane Pappafotis (14:46):
We do.
Chris Baker (14:47):
To actually move the needle forward.
Diane Pappafotis (14:52):
You just said something that I didn't really
think about in the answer, butthe learning component of it.
Every time I've collaboratedmost of the time I've
collaborated I've walked awayreally thinking like, oh, I
loved how somebody just did thatand I love how they do this.
For-profit, non-profit, doesn'tmatter.
Chris Baker (15:04):
It doesn't.
Diane Pappafotis (15:06):
It's the learning and the emulating, and
I have done it so many timesthrough my collaborations and I
see it and oftentimes innon-profit, especially when
you're running a program thereis a component to it where you
have to market your program andyourself.
And just because you're anon-profit doesn't mean you need
to be good at selling.
You kind of have to sell alittle bit and it really is
(15:28):
doing it authentically and justcommunicating what it is that
you want to do.
And I have learned that throughcollaboration.
I've learned to better marketmyself and my program by
watching other people and mycollaborations and how they
promote what they do.
So that is so true that youtalk about these collaborations,
and I think it's the one thingthat I've really learned here at
(15:52):
the Pride Center, because mycollaborations in my previous
life were very different and soI've done things very
differently.
I network differently, I workdifferently and it's a lot of
those collaborations have taughtme a lot.
Oh yeah, I mean it.
Chris Baker (16:05):
Collaborations have taught me a lot.
Oh yeah, I mean it's eventaught me a lot in the last
three years since we've openedour doors to visuals by my mom
yeah, it's been three years it'sbeen three years, uh, and we
were just super excited thatwe're able to, you know,
continue the work that we loveto do.
We're continuing to tellstories, but it wouldn't be
possible without some of thecollaborations and the people
(16:26):
that we have met and moved itforward Like they're our
lifeline.
Diane Pappafotis (16:30):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (16:31):
And I'm so grateful for them, like it really made a
huge difference, and everynonprofit that we've had the
opportunity to work with.
We're having the opportunity tobuild their story through video
.
Diane Pappafotis (16:44):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (16:45):
It's opening doors for them build their story
through video.
Yeah, it's opening doors forthem.
It's giving them a newstructure and a new way to speak
to their audience.
Um, so, yeah, it's been verybeautiful cool.
Diane Pappafotis (16:56):
Yeah, I'm glad to hear that.
Being visual is hard.
Chris Baker (16:59):
It's not easy not in this day.
Yeah, so in this day and age,how do you stand out?
Yeah, and you know, you've goteverybody that's on TikTok and
Instagram and Facebook andeverywhere and all of them are
doing like dances or all of thatstuff and they're so fun to
watch.
Diane Pappafotis (17:14):
They are.
They are Interesting.
Chris Baker (17:16):
But how do you compete as a nonprofit One if
you're not making enough videocontent?
Yeah, To stand out.
Diane Pappafotis (17:24):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (17:29):
And two are you telling the right story?
That's so important to makesure they're on that same path.
Yeah, so um cool, that's veryimportant.
All right, so let's go back topride center and so you guys
have a couple initiatives likethe active aging health expo
yeah, and women with prideprogram, yeah so, and they aim
to help the community.
(17:50):
Can you share any successstories that really stand out of
that impact and how it'shelping Broward County?
Diane Pappafotis (17:56):
Yeah, I'll start with the Women with Pride
program.
For the most part we offersocial, educational and health
and wellness programming forwomen.
I say for the most part becausewe do other things, we do
community work outside to helpother organizations, but our
focus primarily is to offer thiskind of programming for women.
(18:16):
The stories that I have, thefeedback that I've heard, as
I've already mentioned, we offera safe, welcoming place for
folks.
The community that we serve isnot as visible as the men's
community here in South Florida,and I'm not going to speak for
all women, but some of us liketo stay in a little more and
(18:36):
nest and not go out and go tothe bars late at night.
So oftentimes we offerprogramming for folks that makes
it accessible for them.
So we have an afternoon programthat we offer quarterly.
We have events during the day,early evening, and so I feel
like sometimes the community hasa lot of options.
(18:58):
If you want to go out late atnight or if you want to do
certain entertainment kind ofactivities, to do certain
entertainment kind of activities, we offer programming, I think,
for the folks who may not wantto do the typical kinds of
programming.
And so it's important again tohave a safe space for folks to
(19:18):
go to, and one woman came to meafter one of our events and said
this was the first time thatshe had gone out in a year,
since her wife passed the firsttime by herself, and so for me
knowing that there are folks outthere they're seeing us on
social media and in thosevideos- that they can come to
(19:39):
the Pride Center and feel safeand welcome.
I think that's serving ourcommunity.
Chris Baker (19:44):
I think that's hitting the mark, and so I've
been excited to be a part ofthat extremely valuable and very
(20:04):
important, and I know thatthere actually is a very big
women's community here there isum, because I've seen it
firsthand yeah, I bet you have Ihave been amazingly working
with uh, lesbian thespians andI've met some amazing people
where I met laylee and I met youthrough multiple different
channels and just seeing the waythat you're building this
(20:27):
community and, you know,bringing people together in a
safe and fun way, it's just,it's so beautiful because,
honestly, it's so valuable yeahum for me growing up, I didn't
have that yeah and so it waskind of like.
You know, I'm seeing all ofthese safer spaces where I can
be myself.
I can actually, you know, dosomething amazing and be my like
(20:50):
, be authentic.
Diane Pappafotis (20:51):
Yeah, it's hard, it is.
Chris Baker (20:53):
It's sometimes hard to just let yourself go from
that.
Okay, I'm going to pretend todo this and I got to do it this
way Because I came from a verysmall town.
Diane Pappafotis (21:02):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (21:02):
Less than 200 people, so a very, very small
town.
Diane Pappafotis (21:06):
Is that even classified as a town 200?
Chris Baker (21:08):
people.
No, if that's, maybe it's a uhvillage, I'm not even sure, but
it was.
It was hard and I I really knewthat I needed to be somewhere
diverse yeah and so coming downto south florida was like this
is home, like I'm starting tofeel like this is home because
I've met some amazing peoplehere and the collaborations that
(21:29):
I've made and just the chanceto actually be me yeah it's so
invaluable and you'recontributing to your community,
and so that's, I think, thatallows you to make those
connections that you otherwisewouldn't have and deeper and
deeper, that's right, the deeperconnections, so that's cool.
Diane Pappafotis (21:46):
Yeah, I mean that's.
I met you through connectionsand and networking and I knew
honestly, I knew the second Imet you.
I'm like this is a great guy.
Chris Baker (21:56):
Maybe momo not so much, but you are a great guy uh
, well, I appreciate that and Ithank you so much, and and Momo
is a great guy, so I know, justput that one back in.
But no, I really appreciatethat Because honestly, it's
sometimes I don't hear it enough.
Diane Pappafotis (22:13):
Oh yeah.
Chris Baker (22:15):
And, like I feel it , sometimes you don't hear it
enough, so I thank you.
Diane Pappafotis (22:19):
OK, cool.
Chris Baker (22:20):
Very, very valuable .
So looking forward, yeah.
So what are some of thestrategies that is kind of
bringing to the LGBTQ community?
Diane Pappafotis (22:33):
So things have shifted recently politically,
and so a priority that I mightsay and I'm not going to speak
for our CEO, but I know some ofthe things that we are doing in
our day to day is reinforcingthat we are a safe place, that
we are doing the things that weneed to do to make sure that
(22:54):
folks are as safe as possibleone when they come to our campus
.
And we are really making sure atleast our leadership is making
sure that we as staff and ourcommunity are informed about
important issues that are goingon, not only locally but
nationally, and really doublingdown on communications and
(23:16):
making sure we are aware ofwhat's happening, especially
issues that are affecting theLGBTQ plus community, and so
it's not that we weren't doingthat before, but we are really
really hyper focused on that nowbecause of some changes that
are happening that affect us asa community center, that affect
us as a community for profits,nonprofits, and so I appreciate
(23:39):
that commitment and shiftingthose strategies to make sure
that we are doing what we can toserve our community.
Chris Baker (23:47):
Yeah, no, that's extremely invaluable and very
important right now.
So how can you know thecommunity get some of this
information?
Is this information you'reputting on the website?
Are you guys hosting likeforums?
What are the ways that you'regetting this information out?
Diane Pappafotis (24:02):
Yeah, a few different ways.
Again, our campus houses lotsof different organizations.
We also rent space and sooftentimes you will find
collaborative events happeningon campus with different groups
and, depending on what'shappening, depending on the
month, there are differentevents.
Staying on top of what'shappening on our campus, we will
(24:24):
have town halls that arehappening, political groups may
meet there, we have supportgroups that meet there, and so I
think it's important to stay ontop of the events that are
happening with otherorganizations on our campus.
I'll mention Coffee andConversation.
Again, that is our active agingprogram and it is the largest
(24:46):
continuous group of LGBTQindividuals who meet weekly.
Lgbtq individuals who meetweekly and we have a packed main
hall where, again, differentorganizations come in and inform
the community what's happening.
We have local law enforcementthat's been there.
Local legislators, leaders ofother organizations come in, so
(25:07):
it happens weekly and it is anopportunity in person to
socialize a bit and find outwhat's happening in the
community.
So I think it's website lookingto see what events are
happening and attending our ownevents.
Chris Baker (25:19):
Okay, well, that's wonderful, yeah, so definitely
check the website.
Diane Pappafotis (25:23):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (25:23):
Look for different opportunities to get some of
this information and see who'scoming in to speak, and if
you're on social media.
Diane Pappafotis (25:30):
That's another way that we share.
We share information aboutother organizations as well and
what they're doing, and so thoselike-minded organizations.
We're always sharing aboutevents that are happening in the
community, whether we'reparticipating or not.
Chris Baker (25:42):
So I'm just going to throw this piece in here.
Normally I'll set it to the end, but now we're talking about
website, we're talking aboutsocial media.
So what is the website and howcan they contact you through
social media?
Can you share those handles?
Diane Pappafotis (25:53):
absolutely so.
We have the pride center, whichis wwwpridecenterfloridaorg.
That's our website, we.
We are the pride center onfacebook, on instagram, tiktok.
And then what's the new?
One?
Chris Baker (26:07):
blue sky is that okay, all right, so I have to
get on that one yet.
Diane Pappafotis (26:11):
But yeah, we're on there.
Women with pride is there, sowe have a Facebook presence as
well Women with Pride onFacebook, instagram and Blue Sky
.
And then we have an eventcoming up at Wilton Women's Week
.
We haven't talked about that,but we're sharing a lot of
information about Wilton Women'sWeek wwwwiltonwomensweekorg,
(26:31):
and so that's a big event thatwe're hosting for women.
So all three of those placesyou can find information.
Chris Baker (26:36):
Wonderful, all right.
So now that you brought upWomen's Week, Shameless plug
yeah, let's jump into that one,because I know that's something
that we actually have acollaboration.
Yeah, so we need you, yes, solet's talk a little bit more
about that.
Yeah, when is it?
What is it all about?
Sure, who is it for theattendees?
What are we looking for?
Do you need you know?
Are you looking for sponsors?
(26:57):
Are you looking for extra helpvolunteers?
Yeah, tell us more.
Diane Pappafotis (27:00):
Thank you for asking about that.
Yeah, wilton, women's Week ishappening April 26th through May
4th and it is essentially acelebration of the LGBTQIA
women's community and it reallythe mission is to spotlight and
highlight all the greatwomen-led programs,
organizations, individuals,businesses and our allies as
(27:25):
well.
And it's a week of activities.
There's going to be socialactivity, arts and culture,
sports, health and wellness, allhappening during one week.
And is the entire women'scommunity participating in all
the organizations?
No, but we're trying to get asmany as we can to do what they
(27:45):
do best during that one week,whether it's theater or sports,
and we're having a pickleballtournament oh, whether it's
poetry, it just depends we'rehaving a dance.
It's all happening during thatweek.
And we want women to be visible.
We want them to be out andabout and enjoying themselves.
So we put a week of eventstogether.
(28:07):
The Pride Center, women withPride, is hosting it, but the
magic of this event is it's anall-volunteer group of women
that are helping organize andrun this and, as we like to say,
the heart and spirit of thisevent is happening from the
women in our community.
Chris Baker (28:24):
Oh my gosh, that's so awesome.
Yeah, yeah.
So you said that you need usfor this event, so tell us more.
How can we be there and how arewe assisting you?
Diane Pappafotis (28:34):
Absolutely so.
One of the things that wereally want to be able to do is
not only for folks to enjoy theevents and go to them, but for
folks that aren't there, whocan't make it, who may want to
come in the future, we want tomake sure that we're capturing
this on video.
So we would love your help withthat.
We want to make sure that we'rereally giving people a great
(28:55):
visual experience, and so that'spart of what we want to be able
to do, and social media as well, and so we're going to have
kind of a multi-pronged approach.
We're going to have boots onthe ground, folks posting about
it, but we just want to makesure, visually again, for folks
who aren't there or even who arehere, and we want them to know
about the event.
Chris Baker (29:15):
We want to make sure, like we said earlier,
we're telling that story yeah,and so it's important yeah, well
, and especially if we canactually have this on an annual
basis you can get more people tocome next year.
You get more people the yearafter that and having that
documentation, creating thatcontent library that you can
fall back on, or creatingmultiple marketing it's so
(29:38):
important and whether that'scaptured on your phone whether
it's captured on a professionalcamera.
you know it's very important tomake sure that you're capturing
all content as much as possibleand then save it.
Never know when you're going toneed it A year later, five
years later.
Diane Pappafotis (29:53):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (29:54):
You know, maybe you need to create a documentary
for your organization becauseit's grown to this beautiful
space and you have that contentlibrary from five years back.
Yeah, how invaluable is that toput that information into your
story.
Diane Pappafotis (30:11):
You're right, and for me, who always messes up
on video, I want to make sureit's all edited professionally
in such a way.
Yeah, you're right, we want totell that story and we want to
be able to do that in a waythat's appealing, because I
don't know how to shoot video atall.
Chris Baker (30:29):
Well, if you ever need help, you know that's one
of the things that I'm going todo.
A plug here for visuals by momoyeah so we actually have
workshops and coaching to helpspecifically non-profit
organizations.
Yeah, on what level they're atcapture, how to capture it on
camera on their phone, whateverdevice that they feel.
Like me, yes, we'll teach youhow to capture better video okay
(30:52):
so that you can have thatcontent library.
Diane Pappafotis (30:55):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (30:55):
And then you know we also have different tiers
that we are able to assist.
Second one is you're capturingand sending it us to edit.
Diane Pappafotis (31:02):
Yeah, oh.
Chris Baker (31:04):
Obviously just kind of simplifies the editing
process.
Diane Pappafotis (31:06):
Yeah, can take a lot of time, yeah.
Chris Baker (31:08):
And then when you guys are ready, you know you
don't have the time anymore.
There's more resources.
We come in, we capture, we film, we strategize and we edit all
of it for you.
Diane Pappafotis (31:18):
So just with our phones?
Yeah, okay, start with yourphone, yeah.
Chris Baker (31:23):
Because, honestly, you never know what's going to
be needed in the future and thebiggest thing that really comes
down to it is just making sureyou have a media storage space
yeah either get a really largehard drive, use the cloud,
whatever avenue, and it's goingto cost a little bit of money to
have that stored yeah but it'sinvaluable for future marketing
(31:45):
material for any non-profit, andso that's what we're trying to
educate right now into thenon-profit community, because we
go and work with some of themand some are like I have no
footage and I have nothing yeahand I'm like, how long have you
been?
around well, we've been aroundfor five, ten years.
Yeah, where is you?
Know we need something?
Yeah, um, we can alwaysrecreate, but the problem is we
(32:08):
want to try to keep the costdown when we're filming for
people as low as possible, andif we have to recreate it,
that's just an extra costbecause we have to bring in more
crew, maybe actors, whateverthe case may be yeah try to get
that there, where, if weactually had just even a snippet
like you know, 10 seconds ofjust this, an amazing piece from
(32:28):
five years ago, that couldpossibly be an amazing portion
of the story.
It can really be invaluable.
Diane Pappafotis (32:35):
So when you said storage meaning external,
not on your phone, right Correct?
Yeah, okay, okay.
Chris Baker (32:40):
Because, honestly, we lose our phone.
We, you know, we change andupgrade our models and the data
doesn't always transfer, but thecase may be.
So you want to put it either ona computer that something's
going to be last a little bitlonger in the storage, like a
OneDrive or Dropbox, somewherewhere you can store it, and you
(33:00):
may have to pay a couple dollarsa month but, it's so invaluable
.
Diane Pappafotis (33:06):
Okay, I know now why my phone keeps filling
up because of the video.
Okay, that's an aside.
I think that's what's happening.
Yeah, so I really, and that'sone of the video, okay that's an
aside.
Chris Baker (33:14):
I think that's what's happening, yeah, but yeah
, so I really and that's one ofthe things that we are really
kind of trying to push is tomake sure you save those pieces,
because you never know whatthey're going to need and, like
you said, most people are goingto be on the on the ground boots
running.
Yeah, words are going to be alittle hard for me right there,
but you have people capturingthe content with their phones.
Diane Pappafotis (33:33):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (33:33):
Yeah, find a way for them to send you the content
.
Yeah, and have the organizationsave it.
Diane Pappafotis (33:40):
Yeah.
Chris Baker (33:41):
So that way they can refer back to it.
I would say 90% of it isprobably not usable, but if you
don't have access to it or youdon't see it, you'll never know.
Diane Pappafotis (33:48):
Right Good advice.
Chris Baker (33:51):
Yeah, all right.
So, as we wrap up today'sepisode, the last question I ask
everybody is about what legacyyou personally want to leave for
future generations.
Diane Pappafotis (34:03):
Oh gosh, it's so hard Right.
I really, having been with acouple different organizations
throughout my long career, Ialways want to leave in a place
better than when I came there.
That's the easy answer.
The more difficult answer isreally, can I help leave a
(34:27):
longer term strategy?
So not only am I walking outthe door of an organization, can
I help them figure out, from mysmall perspective, where they
need to be moving in the futureand help guide in that direction
.
And that's a little harder todo because we're always in the
weeds with today and thinkingabout today.
(34:49):
But I want to be able to notonly just serve the community
and help fill gaps in ourcommunity.
I want to figure out how canthat organization and especially
because I work with the Women,with Pride program and
representing and serving womenin our community what can the
Pride Center do moving forwardand where do they need to be
(35:09):
down the road.
And that requires a little morethought.
And so that's what I'd love tobe able to do.
I'd love to be able to leave ina better place and then help
them navigate the future, evenif I'm not there.
Chris Baker (35:23):
I mean, yeah, we're looking for future generations,
and how do we make it safe forthe LGBTQ community?
How do we make it future forall the future generations as a
whole?
Diane Pappafotis (35:32):
Yeah, yeah, how do we make it future for all
the future?
Chris Baker (35:33):
generations as a whole.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And we have to look 10, 20, 30,50 years into the future.
We can't just you know we wantto focus on today because it is
the problems that we have toface today, but you're right.
Diane Pappafotis (35:43):
Yeah.
We need to focus on the futureand even if it's just the next
four years and figuring out whatis it that we need to do,
excuse me, what do we need toprepare for?
And if you can do that, I thinkthat that's helpful, and so I
don't know exactly what thatmeans for me, but that's what
I'd like to be able to leave.
Chris Baker (36:02):
I love that.
That's so fantastic thank you.
Diane Pappafotis (36:05):
Yeah, oh, my god, it's.
It's so awesome to be here.
I didn't thank you at thebeginning, but thank you for
having me you are totallywelcome.
Chris Baker (36:10):
thank you for being here and joining us on Visual
Eyes.
I hope that we had an amazingconversation today and I hope
that the rest of you out therehave learned something new.
Diane Pappafotis (36:20):
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,
momo.
Chris Baker (36:25):
Thank you for joining me on this episode of
Visual Eyes.
We hope that the inspirationand practical insights can help
you foster stronger connectionsand meaningful change.
Don't forget to subscribe,share the episode and leave us a
review.
To learn more about Visuals byMomo and how we support
collaboration and storytelling,visit visualsbymomo.
com.
(36:46):
A huge thank you to everyoneout there listening.
Until next time, remember,collaboration fuels change and
your connections can inspire theworld.
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