Representing different cultures and themes, models of all ages danced, strutted and worked the runway Saturday evening as the crowd clapped and cheered them on.
Nearby, people shopped at vendors and ate hot dogs and snacks as children jumped in bounce houses and played Jenga, giant chess and washer toss.
Saturday was the second day of Building Community Bridges' inaugural SoulFest weekend celebration, centered around cultural awareness. The day's events included a block party and fashion show.
The fashion show featured mostly local models and designers associated with Lincoln University and Building Community Bridges programs - though some came from as far as Las Vegas.
They exhibited confidence and empowerment during each theme of the show: African, indigenous, lingerie, Harlem Renaissance and "Black excellence."
The models showed off traditional African attire with bright colors, patterns, and flowy pants and skirts before the indigenous theme, which featured many dramatic feathers, headpieces and gold elements.
After showcasing a variety of lingerie pieces, the models took the audience back in time with the Harlem Renaissance portion, which had a jazzy, upscale vibe, featuring masquerade masks, fur coats and feather boas. The show concluded with the Black excellence scene, featuring a variety of modern fashion ranging from formal to casual.
The show also included a raffle, vendors and various performances. Illinois rapper Surg Coleon performed two songs; Jefferson City performer Da'Mia Day sang a cover of "Feeling Good" and read a Harlem Renaissance poem written by her mom, MiCrystal Day; and Khiara Brown, BCB's business manager and fashion director, gave a dance lesson to the audience.
Brown works with BCB through her business, Poise Search Fashion and Modeling Company LLC, which spearheaded the SoulFest fashion show. She said her goal is to ensure people recognize their beauty with and without makeup and fancy clothing.
"My passion is to build confidence, my passion is to work with other people who are trying to build themselves, and my passion is to build this community," Brown said.
At the fashion show, Building Community Bridges Founder Doug Wright read the organization's mission statement, which is "to inspire, uplift, and aid youth development through self-awareness, education, entrepreneurship and community issues that impact their daily lives."
"Every program, every volunteer, every community service that we provide is about our youth and their families - so continue to stay encouraged, be uplifted and pay it forward," Wright said.
Building Community Bridges originally planned to hold SoulFest in February in conjunction with Black History Month, but because of the ongoing pandemic, it was decided to push the event to July to line up with BCB's Proclamation Day on July 24. The organization hasn't decided when to hold the event in future years, but it plans for SoulFest to become an annual community celebration. Edwards said she hopes for the event to become "bigger and better" each year.
The SoulFest weekend celebration wraps up today with another block party from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. along Ashley Street and a gospel concert at 3 p.m. at 713 Madison St., performed by local artists and church choirs.